Adult scooter/kick bike thread

[mac]

Very nice!

Looks like a cross between the Race Max & the Safari, wide tyres & all....

[hercule]

That’s near enough - I was wanting a big wheel kickbike with the capacity for tyres suitable for forest tracks. I wa tempted by the MiBo GS but thought it was a bit heavy. So this is a Kickbike Race Max 28 frame with carbon cycle cross forks, clearance for 700x40C tyres front and back. Much of it came from parts liberated from the bits box.

[mac]

Trying to find forums for adult scooters in the UK is hard going, so I've just created a new forum for anyone interested in them.

Come & join me/us - https://adultscooterforum.freeforums.net/

[Cyril Haearn]

Very good, you could get it mentioned on other cycling fora too, maybe in the US, the biggest English-speaking country

[mac]

I have a link posted on the Human Powered Forum too, & have just had 2 new members join, one of which informs me that there is a Facebook group of about 400 - that is so reassuring to know that they are becoming reasonably popular over here now.

(Also put a link on the Reddit scooter forum.)

[mac]

Just managed to get logged back in to the forum, (no idea why I couldn't before, tried several times), so thought I'd give an update.

Been out several times on my KB Cross Fix, getting to know some of the Army land behind where I live, finding nicer ways to get into the countryside, (rather than using a main road).

So hopefully when I've got my stamina back, (after the Covid lock down inactivity), I'll start to get some miles in.

I'm designating it 'Boot & Scoot' - I prefer to wear my walking boots when out & about, they are especially handy when it comes to puddles & mucky ground, which we've had a lot of just lately.

[mac]

Just added a Kickbike G4 City to my stable......

[mac]

Xmas is now sorted........Kickbike Cruise MAX on its way....

[mac]

Kickbike Cruise MAX => Tourer

Kickbike Cross Fix => Off Road

Kickbike G4 City => Commuter

Which leaves the original Swifty Zero => Fun

[Aussie dryland]

if your still active here could you tell me if you cut out the little X bar infront of the wheel to accomodate the larger rear wheel, and if so has it caused any issues?

[hercule]

Still scooting, probably more than before!

No, I have left the frame completely untouched. I don’t think of like cut off the brace - I’m sure it must be there for a reason.

[cyclist]

I have 2 kick scooters.

Micro Scooter
I have scooter Micro Classic which is an adult scooter. I enjoy scooting on it, it has 200mm polyurethane wheels. It weighs about 4.5~4.7 Kg. It works very well on smooth surfaces, and is quite nimble, it folds in compact way, and requires minimal maintenance.

On the downside, it is not very well suited for a muddy terrain or a rough gravel ride, or a steep hill. I would usually take it to scoot to the local grocery shops. My average distance is <2 mi.

Swifty scooter
I use also Swifty scooter MK2 (folding). It has 16" pneumatic tyres, with front and rear brakes. The penumatic tyres make the scooter more suited to manage potholes, rain etc. It has a wider and higher deck. It has a nice folding mechanism. The higher deck is a bit more work/exercise (depending on your perspective). I use it to go to the local grocery shops, or nearby park. My average distance could be c.3 mi. It is such a shame that the company filed for liquidation.

In general scooters are hard work compared to walking or a leisurely pace cycling, they use more energy per distance esp. if one is scooting > cruising. The leg on deck is the one that has more fatigue as it supports the body weight, so shifting legs is not a bad idea.

With respect to speed they are faster than walking, and slower than cycling on average. With respect to uphills, I am not great with that esp steep uphills, walking next to your scooter is OK in uphills. With steep down hills, there is a risk, many scooters have only foot operated rear brakes, and there is room for improvement, font brakes on a steep downhill may cause flipping over.

With respect to social perception, there is an element of novelty to adult kick scooter/kick bike. There is also an element of being looked down upon as they are considered by some as 'toys'. There are no dedicated fora (forums), or tracking service/social networking that has kick scooter or kickbike to them, there are no scooter GPS system, bike navigators are the closest.

Recently, I scooted to work with my Swifty scooter. One of the co-workers was intrigued by it, they tried it and told me that it was such a wonderful experience. They told me that it made their day.

[fatmac]

Finally, I am back, after having had a terrible time trying to log in since I don't know when, many times I tried, even asking the moderators before, but this time it worked, hopefully I won't have any more trouble with this site.....

No, I wouldn't cut any part of the frame off, except maybe alternate dropouts, but certainly nothing structural.

Also, I have just ordered a Brompton C-Line 12 speed, as I still miss my cycling....

Kick bikes/scooters are great for fitness & fun, but I've not been able to put many miles in on them, because of where I have available to scoot, (I live at the top of a 2 mile steep hill climb, whichever way I go out), I only have the Army land behind where I live, & that's mainly dirt roads.

[cyclist]

All kick scooters and kick bikes struggle up hill. They are also not the greatest decenders owing to the way their brakes are setup.

If you are living on a steep hill it would be a challenge using a kick scooter in both directions unless you're happy to walk this bit and scoot the rest.

[fatmac]

Yep, 'Boot 'N' Scoot' is the way I use them, usually I manage moderate hills, it's really only the big/steep ones that I walk.

All my scoots, bar one, have V-brakes, back & front, so downhills are not a problem, plus mine are all 16" or bigger wheels.

I found that I had to join FB Groups to keep in touch with other scootists, so there is somewhere dedicated to our pastime/exercise regime.