Two-wheeled scooters: what are and how to choose?

Two-wheeled scooter is one of the most recognizable and common types of light transport, widely used in the vastness of our country. 10-20 years ago, he retreated into the shade for a while before the crushing onslaught of his fellow bicycles, but recently there has been a clear tendency to return scooters to their widest use. At the same time, such transport is still much inferior to bicycles, and for some categories of citizens it may even turn out to be a kind of exotic, so you should understand what it is and why.

Being very popular in Soviet times, the two-wheeled scooter was considered purely child transport - I had to push off with my foot, but in this way you won’t get far. With the massive spread of light electric transport on batteries, one of the designers came up with the idea to release scooter with a motor, and this was a real breakthrough. Against the background of the fact that more and more people refuse private cars in the world, and public transport at rush hour is another test, it is not surprising that the 2-wheeled scooter, already significantly modernized, began to interest not only children, but also respectable adults.

Today it’s even difficult to say for what age more scooters are sold on two wheels, but we can say with confidence that they are issued for almost all categories of the population - from kindergarten children to adults. The carrying capacity of adult models, reaching 120 kg or more, speaks for itself - if you can keep your balance and for some reason do not want a bicycle, this option may be optimal for you.

Modern manufacturers offer such a wide variety of models that scooters can be classified according to a large number of criteria, even if we are talking only about two-wheeled models. We will consider the most common types of classification in order to make it clear to the reader what to focus on.

The norm today both scooters for children and adults, differing in carrying capacity, dimensions, weight, speed (faster in adults) and engine power. Such a division is very superficial, but there is also a more detailed one, according to which the category of children's scooters includes models for ages 1-8 years old, for children from 8 to 12 years old the transport is called teenage, from 13 years old - transitional, and adult vehicles themselves are allocated.

Scooters are divided according to the type of ride. on urban, stunt and universal. The names of the categories, in principle, speak for themselves - so, urban in a large city replaces personal transport. Usually it has large wheels for a faster ride, a hand brake, a backlight in the form of a headlight (sometimes glowing wheels), it is often also a folding model that fits in any elevator or trunk of a car.

The stunt’s task is fundamentally different - they don’t ride it, namely, they ride, practicing spectacular stunts of extreme content, because for him such a design detail as good shock absorbers is most important.

Besides, modern scooters are also divided according to the type of how they are set in motion. The classic type is a model familiar to everyone since childhood, in which only one leg is placed on the deck, while the second plays the role of an engine, pushing the driver and the vehicle away from the starting point. Two wheeled scooters inertial type sometimes called what has been widely used in the past few years under the name “segway” - there is a motor here, but the vehicle is controlled not by buttons, but by tilting the body to the right side, and the wheels here are located not on the front and back of the deck, but on the sides .

The electric scooter actually caused a new wave of popularity for this vehicle, It works approximately on the principle of a very simple scooter, only from a battery capable of multiple recharging. There are also very rare gasoline and even kerosene scooters, which differ from the same scooter by their extremely lightweight frame.

For many consumers, the best way to choose a scooter is not to go into technical details, but simply give preference to a well-known brand, tested by millions of consumers around the world. Sometimes it works, because we, remembering that everyone has their own understanding of the best scooter, Let us briefly consider a few top manufacturers - again, without insisting that they are the best.

• Navigator One of the most popular manufacturers of children's scooters, which will fall in love with a child in their products in bright colors from pink to blue and with beautiful wheel lighting.Good assortment of models for any age and height.
• Next. Another recognizable company that focuses specifically on children's transport. It is distinguished by a combination of attractive appearance, convenience for the baby, even if he still does not know how to ride and good stability.
• Tech Team. The brand offers scooters of various types and age groups, but not least it has become famous for its stunt models. These are suitable for both simple riding in the yard, and for improving the skills of avid scooter lovers.
• Razor Quite an expensive transport from among the quality ones, many like it because of the silicon brakes with real sparks.

Despite the fact that some manufacturers in the specifications write about “scooters for children from 1 year old”, it’s worth buying such a transport for a child of 4 years and older. If this is a children's scooter, pay great attention to the model’s ability to adapt to the growth of a young passenger. It is advisable to choose a model height-adjustable steering wheel (and seats, if any), because at the age of 7-8 and 9-10 the same child is very different in height. When choosing a children's model, it is important to follow design - the boy is unlikely to like a scooter for a girl and vice versa.

An important criterion is also wheel material. If preference was given to inflatable rubber wheels, the convenience of riding on rough roads will increase significantly - the cameras will perform a depreciation function.

Wheel diameter also matters. Small wheels are suitable only for flat roads, because they would lose the competition devastatingly if it were not for one “but”: a folding model with small wheels when folded becomes extremely compact, and it always weighs less. In all other respects, large wheels look more priority - they effectively smooth out any irregularities in the road, and help to move faster due to the fact that the diameter of the wheel is larger.

Steel or aluminum is used as the main material for making scooters. In terms of strength, they are about the same in the sense that both normally support human weight. If we talk about the mass of transport, it is more logical, of course, to take an aluminum model.

Adjusting the steering wheel is important in the above situation with a growing child or when using the same scooter in parallel with several people of different heights. Moreover, stunt models are usually fundamentally devoid of such a function - in a situation with serious loads, it is highly desirable that the scooter is not guaranteed to work out, and the "stuntmen" themselves are usually already adults.

Scooter brake required it can be foot (in the form of a lining on the rear wheel, which is stepped on with the foot) or manual - like a bicycle. The first option is preferable for beginners, since it is believed that it is easier not to fall, but it is the hand brake that will be more effective when the owner masters the riding technique.

Even if you bought the scooter disassembled, it is usually not difficult to assemble it - the package always contains instructions, and the unit itself consists of not so many parts and everything is clear intuitively.

The child is theoretically ready to learn how to ride at the age of 1.5 years, but you do not need to force him if he does not show any interest in this. Please note that such young children are usually taught on three-wheeled models, but two-wheeled ones are relevant from 4-5 years old.

Before leaving, you must configure the steering wheel - the child's arms, bent at the elbows, should be located no higher than the chest level. It is also important to choose a place with smooth asphalt - any irregularities will complicate the task. Ask the baby to stand on the scooter and in this position state the basic rules: the steering wheel must be held with both hands and kicked off the ground, putting the second on the deck.

Gradually decrease the value of control - let the getting used child try to ride a little without support. Do not try to master turns until the rider learns to ride confidently in a straight line - only then explain that the steering movements must be smooth. Tell the young driver about how the brake works and be sure to emphasize that sharp braking is undesirable - this should be done gradually.

In teaching an adult as a whole, the same rules are relevant, with the only difference being that perhaps no one will adhere to him, therefore you will have to remember the skills of maintaining balance on a bicycle.

A review of the Razor A6 two-wheeled scooter awaits you further.