City Scooter: types, device features, pros

In recent years, the townspeople began to discover another way of movement - by scooter. As shown, it is child's play, and help for adult citizens. This means for a fast and comfortable travel than walking on foot.

At the same time modern urban scooters weighing up to 5 kg and can be folded compactly, so the owner of such funds movement, in contrast to the cyclist, easily, if necessary, continue to move around the city on public transport or car.

Types of urban scooters

Nevertheless, even such a simple mechanism has been improved and adapted for a variety of tasks:

• to perform intricate maneuvers and tricks are suitable durable and lightweight extreme models, but the long trips on them uncomfortable and tiresome;
• Dirt-scooters on inflatable wheels are known for their good cross, but heavy, bulky, and are not equipped with folding mechanism;
• for a comfortable travel through the city streets on a long distance to create an urban scooters, which have a low weight and ability to be folded compactly.

The device of urban scooters

Since there are as many as three types of scooters, before buying is helpful to learn about the design features of the product for which you need to pay attention to:

steering wheel

City models, as opposed to the stunt, equipped with a narrow T-shaped wheel, usually adjustable in height.

To make the product even more compact handlebar grips are usually removed and fixed in special holders. Some models are equipped with a special clip to enhance the fixation of removable handles in position.

We can not ignore the quality of Grips - tips on the handlebars. In many cases they are made of foam rubber. This material is soft and pleasant to the touch, partially damping vibrations, but this list of advantages ends. Short-lived foam, absorbs like a sponge, dirt, sweat and bacteria.

Therefore, it is better to give preference to the rubber grips, durable, easy-cleaning, providing reliable control of management due to firmly grip the steering wheel, or immediately after the purchase to replace the foam grips on rubber.

The frame and the deck

Frame - a metal supporting product design, in which the fixed wheel and the wheels. In most cases, between the wheels of the frame portion is the deck - platform coated anti-slip material on which the rider is placed.

Rarely deck is mounted on the frame at the top or make a flexible deck, fixing it between the metal elements scooter. This design allows you to make the platform of wood or plastic and improve the cushioning scooter.

Perhaps a wooden deck - it is an original and stylish solution, but it is undeniable fact that the metal deck is much stronger. Further experiments with reduced material reel platform and performance characteristics of the product.

Usually, beginners tend to mistakenly pick up the maximum possible width of the deck, to her it was possible to place both feet next to each other. Later, in practice it appears that such a need does not exist for the rider, and excessively wide deck reduces maneuverability.

In fact, only one leg is located on a trip on the platform, while the second, rebounding from the ground, It is placed at an angle behind the first for the rest of the deck, which makes it possible to slow down at the right moment back leg.

Ground clearance - height deck layout - another useful feature. The more ground clearance, the lower will have to crouch to reach the ground while pushing off, the trip would be tiring.

At the same time extremely low deck complicate overcoming obstacles: curbs, speed bumps and other road surface irregularities, resulting in rapid wear and damage to the scooter.

When choosing an appropriate model seeks to find a balance: pick up a deck height of your fingers shaking leg is easy to reach them the earth's surface (for strong repulsion from the surface of the fingers requires close contact with the ground, and not easy toeing feet!).

For some models, it has a function of changes in ride height, which, of course, leads to an increase and comfort, and cost of the product.

wheels

Wheel diameter urban scooters varies from 150 to 200 mm. If the wheels are less likely to trick this model, and if more - futbayk (hybrid scooter and bicycle).

It considered optimal diameter of about 180 mm, which provides good stability of the product, good rebound and comfortable movement of the particulate asphalt. However, the large wheels make the scooter more cumbersome and increase its weight.

Cheaper wheel made of PVC also differ in strength, but create a lot of noise when driving. Inflatable wheels riding more gently and are able to provide a sufficiently comfortable ride even on the road.

The fee for this is that the repulsion of the rider need to make greater efforts and always be ready to puncture the wheels. Rubber wheels are very rare - they, too, go softer polyurethane, but allow to develop a lower speed, and quickly erased.

When buying a scooter you need to pay attention not only on the material and diameter of the wheels, but also on the bearings that are responsible for the speed and reel. Considered the best choice bearings ABEC 7 precision class or ABEC 9.

While you can purchase a scooter, and with cheaper bearings and just be prepared for the fact that sooner or later they will have to change, because it is one of the fastest-wearing parts.

brakes

The brakes are not only equipped with some models of children's scooters. And the others are equipped with at least one aligned with the rear wing of the brake, when you click on that foot wheel lock. Another type of brake - manual - located on the steering wheel, and leads to inhibition of the front or rear wheels.

depreciation funds

Since the diameter of the wheels at the scooter is small, the smallest surface roughness (even seams paving slabs) and the road surface defects cause unpleasant and annoying vibrations.

Dampers provide a softer movement, reduce wear of parts and fasteners, increase the maximum allowable load on the scooter.

Besides cushioning functions perform the following means:

• Wooden deck flexible (fixed between metallic members scooter);
• Or inflatable rubber wheels;
• Degree pump inflatable wheels (at half-mast wheels move slightly softer).

But we must not forget that every method of improving the depreciation increases the ramp-up time and degrades the quality of high-speed scooter.

functions

When choosing a scooter should pay attention to the quality and characteristics of parts and some other niceties listed above:

Mobility

To move the scooter around town over long distances it is important that it is easy driving. No less important is the fact that it is easy to carry or transport. In the store it is necessary to see to it that the future rider is able to ease to fold the scooter and carry the process in the hands of convenient and does not require excessive expenditure of effort.

Maximum load

For some users, this feature becomes fundamental as the standard model can withstand up to 100 kg weight. Should take into account the fact that the maximum load is calculated for a smooth road surface, so choose the scooter need a margin of safety.

footboard

It is easy to notice that changing this or that characteristic scooter does not make it better or worse, and adapts to the different conditions, so before you buy you need to be clear about how the product will be operational and why is it purchased.

For walks on weekends or as a complete vehicle for each day? They Will Get directions on flat roads or road surface with non-uniform surface? Do I need to wear a scooter with a public transport?

Just finding answers to such questions, the future rider will be happy with your purchase.
So, the choice of the model is made, the purchase made. But for when walking on a city scooter true pleasure you need to know about the features of the safe operation of the vehicle.

Pros urban scooters

Advantages of movement on a city scooter:

• Suitable for movement at a relatively long distance, for example, within the area - especially in those places where, and to walk away, and public transport to get uncomfortable.
• No problems with parking - it's a vehicle is easy to fold and carry with them.
• City scooter does not become an obstacle for change to another form of transport.
• While traveling the user breathes fresh air and gently gets exercise.
• When traveling mood improved: it is, and the feeling of flying and memories of childhood.

What kind of moments worth remembering the novice rider?

• Rider moves faster than the pedestrian, but on busy streets movement speed decreases, because you need to gently pass the pedestrian residents. In the distant path does not accelerate at full strength, so as not to sweat and not get exhausted, and enjoy the process.
• If there are no conventions on the curb, you have to stop and drag the scooter on hand. Newcomer is useful to remember that the impact even a small bump at high speed is fraught with the fall, and be careful.
• At rush hour there is difficult in a crowded public transport to the city scooter, but, more importantly, it does not forget to put on dirty wheel pouch or bag.
• Do not forget to respect the culture of driving: Do not cut the end of pedestrians, do not go to the supermarket premises or in the subway - it will bring inconvenience to others and lead to problems with security.
• Only dry and warm weather - it is the perfect time to travel, though some adventurers do not stop no rain, or even snow.

malfunctions

City scooter - it is a simple mechanism, which are subject to heavy wear only the wheel bearings and foam grips. Accurate operation and compliance with uncomplicated prevention skate safely allow more than one season:

• Not ride in wet weather, since moisture leads to increased wear of bearings;
• Periodically check the quality of an Allen key bolts;
• Cleaned with a damp cloth after each rolling;
• Once a month to remove dirt from the folding mechanism and the bearings and lubrication to change;
• Do not stand still wet scooter in the cold: when freezing water can damage the components.