Looking for recommendations
Looking for recommendations
So, I've been considering micromobility options recently to help me get out a little bit more and range better. My dog told me he'd appreciate it if I got out a little more on my off-days. I don't know why he's gotta be so judgy like that...
Anyways,
-Bike formats are out, it needs to be easier to transport and not take up that much space.
-Balance boards are cool, but I'm not sure that's quite what I'm looking for either...
Electric skateboards, scooters, mountainboards, etc., what's good? I'm drawn to the idea of electric boards with (potentially?) off-road capabilities. I'm a mountainbiker and often have access to excellent trails, so I like the thought of being able to ride on those too sometimes but my main uses would probably just be getting around town or going out on paved greenways.
Entry level would be good, I'm hoping for somewhere in the 500-1000 dollar range if it exists but if I have to pay more for something better then so be it.
Also, DIY solutions aren't completely out of the question for me. I could see myself messing around with a build project if it strikes my fancy.
Thanks for any help, I'm looking forward to seeing what you all come up with!
Kinda sounds like a scooter might be what you're looking for but can you give us more of an idea of how exactly it will be used? Specific range and terrain would be especially helpful.
10 miles or so seems like it might be a nice range, just as a general guess. I'm not really sure how capable these types of vehicles are.
Terrain would include gravelly/rocky surfaces (light), as well as paved greenway sidewalks and such.
I'm more of an ebike and bicycle enthusiast, but I would recommend that you take all posted ranges with a grain of salt especially if you weigh anymore than 100-125lbs: Most companies give overly generous range estimates (i.e. a very lightweight rider, no cargo, flat terrain, no headwind, not too cold... basically perfect conditions that you'll never see IRL with any consistency).
Also, keep in mind that anything battery powered will have reduced range the colder it gets so it would be wise to factor that and the probably misleading range when making a purchase.
As for terrain, thicker tires tend to do better in worse terrain, but at the cost of efficiency so it's a trade off where you need to kind of find the sweet spot for your needs.
Finally, do your best to get something with quality batteries that have UL certification: Saving money on something that either underperforms, breaks, or straight up burns your home down isn't really saving money.
Once you have decided on a ride, be sure to take care of the battery long-term: Don't charge it while it's been exposed to cold temperatures, don't bang it up, don't leave it on the charger forever, stuff like that. If you need to keep the battery in storage for an extended amount of time, try to get the charge down to around 50% until it's ready to be put back into use.
Source: I occasionally ride a (street) e-skateboard.
I'd be worried about riding a skateboard on gravelly or rocky surfaces. The wheels are small, so you'll have a much harder time with rocks/bumps/roots than you would on a bike.
One of the problems I've encountered in my board is that there's nothing for me to hold onto when the board hits and kind of obstruction. In my case, it's large gravel on bike paths. Basically, the board slows down or stops, and I get launched.
No injuries so far, but I get use out of my knee/wrist pads and a helmet.
I'd go with a bike for anything other than flat asphalt.
Have you ruled out folding bikes? Some can get pretty compact
I've not ruled them out completely, no. I'm trying to keep an open mind, I just didn't think they would be the most practical/beneficial option for my specific needs/wants
Folding bikes can be pretty neat and Tern makes some decent stuff in your price range. Maybe check out the Node or Link series but also see if you can't find someone who might let you borrow their folding bike so you can test it out and see it it'll work for you.
Edit: Oh, there's also Dahon which is a little cheaper but not terrible from what I've heard.
Personally, I love having a regular bicycle because I don't have to worry about range or managing a battery. It comes at the cost of time and effort though.
I just didn’t think they would be the most practical/beneficial option for my specific needs/wants
In your original post, you wrote that "... my main uses would probably just be getting around town or going out on paved greenways..."
If that's the case, I can wholeheartedly recommend a folding bike. I've got a Tern Link D8, and I've been on local rides and extended (150km+) rides without issues. It's small enough to fit in the trunk of a sedan. If you want smaller, go with something that has 16" wheels, but I'm quite happy with the ride of the 20" wheels on my Tern.
I also own e-scooters, and they are a different thing altogether. I'm always worried about range anxiety, which is one reason why I stared biking. I also hated that if the battery dies, you're pushing the thing... and you really can't do many repairs on an e-scooter without taking it to a shop or being very handy with opening up and working with electronics. They are nice when they work, but bikes offer more flexibility and long-term use.
+1 for a folding bike, especially for under $1000. If money was no object, I'd suggest a Brompton if size consideration is a priority.
If money were no object, I'd suggest the Tern Vektron
If it were me, I probably wouldn't be riding an escooter or electric longboard on the trails. I also love to downhill mountainbike and recently picked up a small electic BMX bike that can fit behind my apartment's front door (my apartment is 440sqft, this bike can fit in a 2017+ Subaru outback).
No suspension, but it's fat tires can take a bump or heavy gravel. I REALLY RECOMMEND SOMETHING WITH BIG WHEELS. The number of times I've rolled over a pothole at speed and thought "holy shit, that would have fucking killed me on a board, scooter, or roadbike" has already been a handful of times in the last 3 weeks and 150 miles I've put on the bike. I've almost stopped using my Outback because the transit times are comparable with heavy traffic.
Perhaps a bike might be mission creep for you, but that was (aside from a spendy bidet) the best $1,200 I think I've ever spent.
Yeah, I will probably just have to stick to my mountainbike for trails. I just thought the idea sounded nice. Balance boards are kind of popular for this, so I was just thinking something else might also have that potential too.
Nice, what eBMX bike did you get? (is that the proper abbreviation? lol)
That's not really one I had considered yet, but I could see it maybe working if I was able to fit it inside my vehicle. The price range seems close enough.
I'm really leaning towards an all terrain electric longboard, but again trying to keep my options open. Haven't made any decisions yet, and I may just end up deciding to save up for something.
Balance boards are cool, have seen a few of those around here. Might be easier to store, though I dunno how owners lock them up if they are grabbing groceries. Make sure whatever you get has a decent range, everything quoted on the spec sheet is usually a very generous estimate based on a light rider, flat ground, and no wind. Having something that can still be moved by hand/foot might be a good idea, whether that is a scooter or a bike or something else. Watch and read reviews of various e mobility devices!
The price keeps fluctuating on mine. They are clearing out overstock from overproducing in 2022, I think. Repairablility is a mixed bag. Not many services repair these bikes, but they are mechanically quite simple, and have reused parts throughout their lineup. So you should be golden on stuff like batteries, tires, spokes, brake pads (generic), etc. I got mine for about $1,189.
https://www.juicedbikes.com/products/ripracer?variant=39361373700160
Edit: not sure on 'eBMX', I guess so? I've only ever seen this one, haha. Quite fun though, I've really been enjoying it and it looks like it should be quite easy to maintain for quite some time.
I own four electric skateboards. I like them a lot, they go from small and carryable to large and semi-pullable. I've been riding one or a couple of them almost daily for years.
For that price-range you're not gonna get anything off-road capable that's actually good, but a mini-board or longboard would absolutely be doable.
One of my boards is a first gen Exway Flex, I use it to get around at medium range on paved paths. It just about deals with cobblestone paths at low speed, though aftermarket wheels can improve this.
Brands actually worth considering imo are Exway and Backfire, but there is also BKB for diy kits.
I also have boards from Ownboard and an Eovan, but I would not buy from either again. A future purchase for me would likely be a Lacroix, Apex or Fluxmotion board.
+1 for e-skating. I have been rocking around on a BKB longboard that I put together for about $750 (custom batteries). I feel like a little kid zooming around on my local streets / bike paths and think it is an awesome option for micro mobility.
As for portability, it's decent though the thing is heavy and the longboard size means I'm pulling it behind me instead of picking it up most of the time. If you want something easy to pick up and take on a bus or whatever I'd look for something smaller.
WEAR WRIST GUARDS if nothing else. Wrist injuries are the most common injuries in board sports.
+1 for protective gear. I invested in some padded jeans and jackets as they look nicer and make gearing up a breeze. A helmet is what will keep you alive, while protective gloves and wrist-guard are item one on staying out of the hospital.
On portability, larger boards can be made much easier to handle, with a handle. Makes picking up and dragging a board, holding one upright, etc. much easier. I added one to my heaviest board and I don't really mind lugging it on public transport or pulling it along indoors anymore.
Most boards aren't actually that heavy, so their awkward portability is more of an ergonomic issue as they aren't designed with handholds like scooters and bikes. But you can always add one.