Off-road scooters: varieties and selection criteria

An off-road scooter is a transport device designed to ride on sandy, hilly or simply bad roads. The movement is carried out by repeatedly pushing the legs off the ground in a standing position, holding the steering wheel with his hands. In 1820, Carl Von Dresen became the inventor of such a convenient device.

Initially, the movement took place through the front wheel. In Europe, the popularity of the scooter has grown rapidly. At present, their assortment is very large. They are in great demand among both adults and children. Let's consider in more detail what a scooter SUV is.

The main difference of this model of scooters are thick, large-sized wheels (their diameter is about 200 mm), because riding on this scooter is not designed for speed, but for stability and cross-country ability.

Big wheels are heavy and soft. They have a camera in them. It provides a soft bumpy ride and good cushioning.

The presence of two brakes provides a safe ride on slopes and large potholes, off-road. Such scooters are not intended for trips around the city, because it is bad to accelerate on them and keep speed.

The frame of off-road models can be folded, which is very convenient for transportation. It is made of steel or aluminum.

For the lazy, there is the option of moving on a scooter with a motor. Very compact and portable, easy to store. It is not suitable for stunts, but develops a decent speed of up to 25 km / h. Electric charging of the engine makes it possible to cover a distance of up to 15 km. It has a fairly large weight due to the mass of the electric motor and battery. The cost of such a convenient fixture with the engine is very high.

T-shirt scooter - almost an SUV. Large inflatable wheels, reminiscent of a bicycle, can reach a diameter of 20 inches. It copes with driving both on city roads and on the road.

Unlike adults, they have a simplified design and are light in weight. Intended for the user weighing up to 50 kg. Managed rack is missing.

There are three types.

• Two wheeled Designed for children aged six to ten years. At this age, children are already stronger and can independently balance. They offer two-wheeled scooters with a folding frame made of metal. The steering wheel is adjustable. Wheels are used with a diameter of 130 to 190 mm. For children over 10 years old and adolescents, two-wheeled scooters with a wheel diameter of 200 to 230 mm are suitable. The metal structure has a metal platform. Such scooters can withstand a load of 50 kg. The steering wheel is adjustable, you can adjust to the desired growth. The folding mechanism makes it compact and easy to carry.
• Three-wheeled and four-wheeled designed for children from 2 to 4 years old who do not know how to keep balance. In such cases, there is an inclined mechanism. Very light, the frame is made of plastic or aluminum, there is a folding mechanism. The height of the steering wheel is not adjustable for the height of the child. The three-wheeled model has two wheels in front. By tilting the steering wheel in different directions, you can make a turn. Two platforms are adapted for the legs, separately for each foot. This is provided so that the baby can ride without even starting from the ground, transferring weight from one leg to another.
• Scooters designed for the age group of 4 to 6 years also have three wheels, but 2 are now on the back. This arrangement allows the scooter to be more stable and maneuverable. Such models are made of aluminum, there is a folding mechanism. The steering wheel is rotated and adjustable in height. The diameter of the wheels is usually from 120 mm to 130 mm.

The choice of an off-road scooter for an adult should be approached more carefully, based on some points: design, frame material, quality and size, type of brakes.

• Frame material. Aluminum - very popular, durable and lightweight, does not rust. Steel - has a heavier weight, but stronger than aluminum. Used in low-cost models, as steel is cheaper. Magnesium alloy is an expensive material that has high strength and light weight, but also, of course, a high price.
• Design. Maybe with a stand. It is an adapted lever that can lock the scooter in a standing position during a stop.
• Wheels. They are large off-road scooters. Thanks to their large diameter, transport becomes more stable. Wheel stiffness has different markings. For example, -50 A are soft wheels that provide good road holding and cushioning. But they are more sensitive to punctures and quick wear. Designation 101 A have inflexible wheels with a long period of use. Maintain speed. When choosing the stiffness of the wheels, it is necessary to consider the mass of transport. The larger it is, the higher the stiffness of the wheels should be.
• Wheel material. It can be polyurethane, its main qualities are durability, noiselessness. Inflatable - consist of a rim and a tire. Their distinguishing feature is the best depreciation. Sensitive to punctures. The inconvenience is the constant inflation of tires.
• Bearings. They are divided into classes according to American ABEC standards. There are five classes (1,3,5,7,9), the higher it is, the higher the accuracy of production, better durability, longer period of use and higher price.Brakes are not only foot, but also combined (foot and hand). The most common is the first. It is simple and reliable. Combined combines two types of braking, thereby increasing reliability. The cost of scooters with this type of braking is much higher.

In the ranking of the best brands of quality scooters - Weels, Oxelo, Micro, Xootr, Razor and Novatrack Stamp. Particular attention should be paid to the latest brand, so we will do a review of its models.

Novatrack Stamp offers a large assortment for choosing an off-road scooter. Distinctive features are large-sized inflatable wheels. Riding on them will be enjoyable thanks to the camera with air inside the tire, which is an excellent shock absorber.

To choose the right model, consider the criteria for differences in Novatrack Stamp N. scooters.

• Wheel size This company has off-road scooters divided into two categories: for children and adults. For teenagers and children, scooters are designed whose wheels have a diameter of 12 inches. The load on these species is calculated up to 100 kg. For adults, models with a front wheel diameter of 16 or 18 inches should be looked at: they are more powerful. They have a higher steering wheel, have a load of up to 120 kg, and look more massive. Wheels on wheels are black or white.
• The presence of wings on the rear or front wheel. If wings are not provided for in a particular model, then they can be purchased separately.
• The brakes. There is one rear wheel or two at once. Double braking gives a quick stop, especially at high speed.
• Steering wheel type. There are three types of steering wheel: direct, bicycle, BMX. A direct wheel is an ordinary option without superiority. In the bicycle there is the ability to change the angle to the desired position. BMX is a type of bicycle handlebar, only reinforced. To make the scooter comfortable to use, its platform is made wider. But the frame is also made wider so that the edges of the platform do not break. In all models of this company, the frame consists of three crossbars, thanks to them the weight of the rider is distributed evenly. Only one Stamp N2 model has a single frame. Therefore, it is suitable for children and adolescents.

In some models, old bushings of loose bearings were replaced with new industrial types. Thereby they do not require lubrication and cleaning, the amount of substance is always preserved, have a longer service life.

If you plan to ride out of town on a dirt road, get yourself an all-terrain scooter. In addition to all its functional features, it looks beautiful and solid. With it, your road will be easy and comfortable.

You will learn how to make an off-road scooter with your own hands from the next video.