Scooter Style Bikes?

[David_12]

I've heard Court mention once or twice in video reviews that he became interested in electric bicycles, in part, because of knee problems. I also have difficulty in a joint, but it's my hip. I've really cut down my bicycle time because mounting and dismounting is painful.

This brings me to the question of scooter style electrics. (I refer here to Vespa-style motor scooters. Piaggio is promising an electric Vespa this year. Here is a link to a video showing some Electric Scooters in the Vespa style.) The advantage to me of the scooter style is the ability to board the vehicle by sitting and swiveling rather than with a traditional "leg over" mount.

Step through mounts are available on some e-bikes I know, but compared to a Scooter Style bike a traditional step through is still a bit of a hurdle, as it were.

I've not seen any reviews of Scooter Style electrics on EBR (although perhaps I've just missed them!?) If Court and company are game, I'd like to see Vespa-style e-bikes reviewed. In the meantime, if anyone has any experience with any of these scooters please sound off. Thanks.

 

[ebikemom]

What about a very low step-through, like Pedego's Boomerang?

Here's a link from the manufacturer:
https://www.pedegoelectricbikes.com/shop/boomerang/

The EBR review is from 2014, but here it is:
https://electricbikereview.com/pedego/boomerang/

 

[Nova Haibike]

Check out this thread on step thru bikes.

 

[Dewey]

Do you mean an ebike like the Kymco Klever B Speed, or more like their Ionex model that doesn’t have pedals?

 

[J.R.]

I've heard Court mention once or twice in video reviews that he became interested in electric bicycles, in part, because of knee problems. I also have difficulty in a joint, but it's my hip. I've really cut down my bicycle time because mounting and dismounting is painful.

This brings me to the question of scooter style electrics. (I refer here to Vespa-style motor scooters. Piaggio is promising an electric Vespa this year. Here is a link to a video showing some Electric Scooters in the Vespa style.) The advantage to me of the scooter style is the ability to board the vehicle by sitting and swiveling rather than with a traditional "leg over" mount.

Step through mounts are available on some e-bikes I know, but compared to a Scooter Style bike a traditional step through is still a bit of a hurdle, as it were.

I've not seen any reviews of Scooter Style electrics on EBR (although perhaps I've just missed them!?) If Court and company are game, I'd like to see Vespa-style e-bikes reviewed. In the meantime, if anyone has any experience with any of these scooters please sound off. Thanks.

David see Court's review of electric scooters on Electric Ride Review:

https://electricridereview.com

 

[Alex M]

With scooter you have to rely 100% percent on motor and battery. IMO, gas scooters are currently more reliable than e-scooters. Some e-scooters have pedals, but this more of a stunt, a trick to bypass the registration requirements. You can't really pedal this thing, pedals are inconveniently located, wheels are tiny and these machines are heavy.

Step-through bikes have mostly 16-18" step-over height because the wheels are much bigger than in a scooter. Not too bad, you should try one. You can lean it a little to mount up. Models that look like Birria or those Pedego in the link, with very low step-over - are not common, not much to choose from.

 

[David_12]

Thanks for your kind replies. I will follow up.

 

[David_12]

Do you mean an ebike like the Kymco Klever B Speed, or more like their Ionex model that doesn’t have pedals?

The swivel to sit approach of the Ionex is what I had in mind. The Ionex looks good to me, but it doesn't appear to be available in the US at this time. Also, it looks expensive, and Alex M raises concerns about this configuration. (As I write this I'm thinking: "Well maybe I just ought to suck it up and get a new hip... Sigh.)

The Pedago Boomerang mentioned by ebikemom has a "serious" step-through that appears to be accommodating. I will be taking a look at that one, too.

Thanks for the reply...

 

[ebikemom]

Let us know what you think of the Boomerang after you try it. You might try having the seat set low enough that you don't have to lift a hip to get on the seat. I hope you can find something that works for you. The Pedego dealer near me was very close to a bike path so it was easy to try the bikes.

 

[AguassissiM]

@David_12

I had the exclusive urge to purchase one of those electric scooters few years back. Usually they come with sla batteries that do not last long even with tender care, mine only lasted 2 seasons. Than I parked it in the garage and couple years back got the itch to ride and started looking for a new lithium pack for it, did not find one in my price range so I purchased an e-bike.
Few weeks back I was looking around on eBay and found a new replacement pack for my scooter at very reasonable price.
Having a blast riding around.
Now my range has increased to 50 miles per charge, that is really good considering that there's no way to use the pedals on that unit.

 

[elizilla]

I own a scooter style electric bike that is closer to a bicycle than to a moped. It is the Razor Ecosmart Metro.

It is like one of those kiddy kick scooters only it is adult size and has a seat, and the wheels are 14" bicycle style wheels. It has a top speed around 12mph and the range is supposed to be around 10 miles. It has three 12 volt lead acid batteries similar to what you find in a UPS. The motor is a lump behind my right foot, and there is a skinny drive chain to the rear wheel.

I have had it since 2015 and I did replace the batteries last year, so, two seasons for LA batteries is about right. I am not a particularly good caretaker though - I leave it on the charger anytime I am not riding it.

It works really well for me. I have severe drop foot in my left foot and struggle to pick that foot up, but my balance is fine once I get going. The wide, low, skateboard style deck is a blessing. I drag my left foot up, and then just do my best to avoid putting it down. It has a sturdy basket on the back to carry things. I am basically using it as a mobility scooter, but it keeps my face at adult head height and people say "cool bike!" instead of looking at me like they pity me. I use it to get around my neighborhood.

Cons are, it is heavy. The single rear drum brake is pretty wimpy. The rear wheel has a little hop in it and I have not bothered to try to true it out.

But overall I love it. I ride it almost every day in spring/summer/fall, and occasionally in winter once the snow is shoveled away. It has held up really well. It replaced a conventional ebike, a Prodeco Stride, when I decided it was just too hard to get my left foot onto the pedal.

I think it would be good for carrying on an RV, or for a college student.

It cost less than $400 and last I checked they are still available.