Lightweight / Portable Electric Scooter

thrillhouse on 18/12/2023 - 11:32
Last edited 18/12/2023 - 11:45

Hey community,

I'm looking to get my wife an electric scooter so she can commute to the station, shops etc. She's quite keen on the idea (I am open to e-bikes, but she's more comfortable on a scooter). All riding would be in a fairly quiet suburb roads, for the most part (no CBD riding), and I am aware of the legality (lack thereof) in NSW and assume that risk.

She's fairly small, so I'm prioritising something light and portable over outright performance. The trips would be pretty small, few KM here and there. So, doesn't need great range or speed. Surfaces will be flat and paved, so suspension is also not needed (which should help to keep weight down further).

The Pure Air3 seems to be one such model that came up which might tick the boxes. I'd like to keep the cost under $1,000. The cheaper the better of course, but would spend up to that amount for the right model (happens that the Pure Air3 is $1,000). The Segway Ninebot E2 Plus is another model with a better price, but I prefer the idea of RWD in the Pure over FWD.

Any other models worth considering? Xiaomi? I'm not really educated in this space (I'm a cyclist myself). Thanks!

Bonus points for something I can also ride when needed (78kg)!

Electrical & Electronics Electric Scooter

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 18/12/2023 - 11:39

    Is she planning to multi-mode or ride from A to B? Are the routes hilly?

    • thrillhouse on 18/12/2023 - 11:43

      By "multi-mode" do you mean also push it? If so, I don't think she would.

      The weight and portability would be more if she needs to pick it up to take on the train or over an obstacle etc.
      She's certainly not weak and frail (we're in our 30s), but something that isn't absolutely unwieldily would be ideal.

      Very slight inclines, nothing crazy.

      • sumyungguy on 18/12/2023 - 11:48
        +1

        Multi moding is riding to the train, taking your scooter onboard, riding the last mile (km) to destination. I used to do this on a Xiaomi M365 Pro. For your use case consider E2 Plus (weight 15.3kg, maintenance free tyres): https://segwayonline.com.au/products/segway-ninebot-kickscoo…

        The higher cost models weigh 17kg plus, not ideal for hauling up and down railway station stairways.

        • salem on 18/12/2023 - 12:11

          What's a "slope up to 12%"? 12% of what?

          • mskeggs on 18/12/2023 - 12:27
            +6

            @salem: I’m going to have to give you a protracted answer.

          • mskeggs on 18/12/2023 - 12:36
            +2

            @salem: I think I am so funny.
            A 12% grade will rise 12m over a 100m run, or 24m over 200m, etc.

            • sumyungguy on 18/12/2023 - 12:47
              +2

              @mskeggs: Or even 1.2m in 10m as they may be easier to visualise

        • thrillhouse on 18/12/2023 - 12:55

          The Segway Ninebot E2 Plus looks like it could fit the bill (and was my other option). Is more affordable as well. Thanks!

        • thrillhouse on 18/12/2023 - 13:07

          What about the Segway Ninebot KickScooter Air T15? It looks pretty basic, slow and short-range; but it's cheap enough to test the waters and weighs just 10.5kg.

          Edit: Ignore, it was on JB's site for $299, but has since disappeared just as I was about to purchase. Appears the price is more around $600+ which doesn't seem worthwhile.

  • jugsy on 18/12/2023 - 12:02
    +1

    Nothing worth riding is really comfortable to carry for longer than a few minutes. Ebikes are a LOT safer and more comfortable than scooters (I ride both).

    FWD vs RWD really doesnt make much of a difference to the commuter, dont hinge your decision on this. If anything FWD is easier to handle in wet/slippy conditions.

    • thrillhouse on 18/12/2023 - 12:52

      Thank you. Without derailing my own thread too much, do you have any recommendations for eBikes that would be a step-through style? Basically similar to all of the Lime bike styles. She's not super confident on a bike, but a step-through would be a good match.

      It looks like there is an (obvious) price jump into bike territory which may make the entire proposition unviable (she currently walks to the station, and it's not often). Would probably prefer get her a regular pedal bike.

      Keeping in mind, we're talking pretty short distances, so comfort is pretty low on the requirements.

      • charlierg on 18/12/2023 - 13:01

        Hey, I was just going to point out there are some good folding step through ebikes. These are similar to traditional bikes in riding style but would be a lot easier to transport. Would definitely recommend ebikes over an eScooter

  • bmxr on 18/12/2023 - 12:21
    +1

    I am aware of the legality (lack thereof) in NSW and assume that risk

    A close friend was fined a total of $2,200 for riding an electric scooter in NSW. This was only his second day of using it in the Sydney suburbs.

    • mskeggs on 18/12/2023 - 12:33

      This kind of confirms my suspicions. I would see somebody riding their scooter from the station for a week or two, then never again. I figured they copped a warning the fine was that large.

    • YellowKnight on 18/12/2023 - 18:25
      -2

      Hearsay. Close friend.

  • freefall101 on 18/12/2023 - 13:30

    but I prefer the idea of RWD in the Pure over FWD.

    Is she planning on doing burnouts in the parking lot?

    • thrillhouse on 18/12/2023 - 13:40

      Have just read that FWD can present issues with traction, but that might be exaggerated.

      • freefall101 on 18/12/2023 - 13:50

        I think it'd be heavily exaggerated. In a car or a bike it can matter because of the shift of weight while accelerating, but it's not really an issue with a scooter. Firstly the acceleration shouldn't matter much at all, there basically isn't any. Secondly - just lean forward and it'll more than counteract it. Odds are the human weighs 5x the scooter (which is biased toward the front anyway since that's where the handlebar is) which is a lot different to a car or bike, traction is purely a function of how someone rides the scooter.

  • dimitryp on 23/12/2023 - 17:37

    i cant recommend a scooter to buy as i havent tried any recent scooters, but can share my general thoughts.

    i bought a now discontinued scooter - the Morath ( https://paydaydeals.com.au/products/the-morath-elite-electri… ) 3 years ago, and have been enjoying it a fair bit.
    My use-case is similar to what your wife is after - light, portable, scoot to train and take on the train with me to commute to work, etc.

    The Morath weighs an impressive 8kg and folds up nice a compact. Its motor is only 200w, and its range is meant to be around 20km.

    What i would say is that around the 8-10kg mark is really the heaviest one would want for a truly portable scooter, where you may need to carry it for several minutes between train platforms and all that. I've noticed the scooters you're thinking of (the PureAir and the Segway) are both around 15kg. That is waaay to heavy to comfortably carry for too long (keep in mind its an awkward shape and you can only use one hand to carry, really). Plus not sure with the size of those if you could put them between your legs while sitting on the train (with the Morath i can do that). Just my opinion. P.s. I'm a man of avg strength.

    The other learnings i'll give you is that the 200kw of the Morath is perfectly plenty to go max speed on a flat surface (i weigh 80kg, and i oftern take my daughter on it at the same time who adds an extra 30kg), but if there's any incline at all, even 2%, it cant manage at all, and you gotta kick your way up those hills. The PureAir and Segway seem to have beefier motors, so would do better up hills, but that's the trade-off for being quite heavy.

    Other pro tip is that for any scooter with small wheels you'd want to be scooting on perfectly even, flat ground. What i mean is that any ridge over 1cm tall would basically make your scooter flip and send you flying to land on your face. Sidewalks that are made from those concrete squares often sink and create those ridges, so you really gotta watch out for those. You can "hop" them, but only if you're paying attention.

    If you find a scooter than weighs under 10kg and has a powerful motor, let me know, as i might want an upgrade for my Morath soon.

    • dimitryp on 23/12/2023 - 17:39

      p.s. ive ridden 100's of times over the last 3 years in Sydney (in the city and inner west), and have never been stopped/fined. your mileage may vary.

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