A Guide To The Best Adult Kick Scooters

Who said that it’s only for kids?  An adult kick scooter is one of the best, quickest and most convenient ways to get around, especially in a city.  Nowadays, most people have stepped away from the mindset or embarrassment even, that kick scooters are only for kids.  Therefore, more and more adults realise the great benefits and are now searching for the best adult kick scooters.

It’s no surprise why many people are turning to a kick scooter for adults as a preferred method of commuting.  Alternatively, you can commute with an electric longboard, electric scooter or hoverboard, but it’ll cost you at least twice as much.  Not to mention you’ll have to learn to ride the thing too!  Whereas, an adult commuter scooter doesn’t require an introduction for most users.

If you’ve not stepped foot on a kick scooter for more years than you can count with both hands, then as soon as you step foot on one, you’ll be thinking why didn’t I get one sooner!?  They’re great fun to ride, but could it even be better for commuting than a bicycle?  Click here to view our take on it.

How To Choose The Best Adult Kick Scooter

Since on some days you’ll be using a scooter more than your legs for walking, you’ll want to make sure you’ve gone through all the features necessarily to ensure you choose the best adult kick scooter.  Therefore, we have listed all the features below you should pay close attention to.

What Wheel Size To Choose?

Wheels with a diameter of 20cm is considered quite big 

Choosing the best wheels for your scooter is one of the most important aspects.  The two main factors to consider are wheel size and wheel type.  Most wheels will be made from PU which can mean a bit of a bumpy ride and poor performance on certain types of terrain such as grass.  However, very few wheels will be made from pneumatic which is basically air filled tyres, which means a smoother ride on all types of terrain but it’s susceptible to punctures.

We’ll now explain below what size wheels are more suitable for different journey lengths:

Short journeys – For shorter journeys or journeys where you might have to carry your scooter frequently, smaller wheels may be more ideal as they tend to be lighter and more compact when folded up.

Since the distance you’re travelling is not very far, having smaller wheels will require a little bit more work, but it won’t make too much of a difference.

Long journeys – Any journeys longer than 3km should really require a big wheel kick scooter, preferably with a diameter of 20cm or slightly bigger.  Having bigger size wheels for this sort of journey length will enable your efforts to take you further.

Takes Up Minimal Space

An adult commuter scooter is also very convenient when it’s not in use.  Pay attention to the four features below if you’re after one that can easily be carried as well.

Foldable – Pretty much all adult commuter scooters will fold up to become more compact.  This is what makes it so practical to take onto public transport during rush hour.

Weight – Since portability is usually a very important factor for commuters, the weight of the scooter is one of the main contributors to determine its portability.   On the flip side, pick a scooter too light and you’ll be pulling unintentional wheelies when you’re pushing away fast with a lot of force.

Folded dimensions – Another contributor to its portability, when it’s folded up, you don’t want one that’s big and bulky still, otherwise that will defeat the whole object of having a folding adult scooter.

Carry strap – A carry strap clips on to the front of the scooter, but is removable.  This is designed to allow easier transportation of the adult kick scooter when it’s not in use.  Some people may find carrying with this strap uncomfortable, therefore may prefer to use a scooter carry bag instead.

You’ll need to make sure the carry bag is big enough though, because some carry bags will struggle to fit a big wheel scooter.

Other Features

Brakes type – Every scooter will come with a foot brake, where you simply place one foot on the brake which is located on above the rear wheel, this will slow you down.  Some scooters also come with a hand brake, which again slows the rear wheel down.

A combination of the two is very handy to have, but if the rear wheel is wet or you’re travelling very fast, the hand brake is not very effective, so it’s better to use the foot brake in those cases.  On the other hand, the hand brake is arguably more effective than the foot brake when travelling at an average pace or slower.

Suspension – Makes your ride smoother by absorbing some of the impact from riding over uneven surfaces or jumping off curbs. 

Foldable handles – To further increase the compactness, foldable handles enable you to pop the handles out and clip it to the side of the T-bar. 

Kick stand – In case you want to stand your scooter up and there’s nothing to lean it against.  A kick stand can actually be quite handy to have even for little things such as using both hands to get something out of your backpack.

Maximum user weight – The maximum weight for most adult commuter scooters is 100kg.  However, air filled tyres tend to support a higher user weight.

Which Is Better For Commuting A Kick Scooter For Adults Or Bicycle?

Many people have switched from taking public transport or driving, to ride a bicycle to work, however, not as many people consider riding a push scooter.  So which eco-friendly mode of transport is actually better for commuting?  One of the best ways to help you decide whether a push scooter would be suitable for you, is by listing the pros and cons of each one.

Scooter pros:

• No restrictions to when it can be taken on public transport.
• Takes up less room on public transport.
• Ideal for shorter journeys.
• Can be used on the pavement, which increases its safety.
• Cheaper to buy and replace parts.
• Very low maintenance.
• Put it in a carry bag to easily carry it around.
• Lightweight and compact enough to even take it abroad in a suitcase.

Cons:

• Tires you out quicker.
• Not really as practical as your sole mode of transport, if you’re travelling from far out.
• Ride can be quite bumpy on different surfaces, even with suspension.
• Can’t handle high speeds as well.

Bicycle pros:

• Can travel from a lot further out.
• Doesn’t require as much effort, therefore doesn’t tire you out as quick.
• Your ride will usually be smoother, as a bike can handle different types of surfaces better.
• Certain types of bikes can be used for commuting as well as recreational activities.

Cons:

• May be restricted to certain times on public transport.
• Takes up more room and can be quite big and bulky to carry.
• Not as safe because you’re on the road and there are a lot of careless drivers.

Conclusion

Who wouldn’t want a combination of commuting, exercising and even saving money on travel fares!  For those whose intention is to find the best commuter scooter, we bet for many users it’ll end up also being a leisure scooter. 

It shouldn’t be a question of should I buy one?  It should be a question of what’s the best adult scooter for me?  These push scooters for adults have come back onto the scene and you can grab a decent one for as little as £50!  In addition, if you have any children then they can join in the fun too with a 3 wheel scooter for kids.

Sure it might stay in the boot of your car or in the shed during winter months, but as soon as it warms up a little, there’s a good chance your push scooter is coming out to play.