Electric scooter or bike hybrid: what to ride in summer

Why electric scooters and bicycle hybrids?

Let's start with the definitions. Electric scooters and bicycle hybrids are the same scooters and bicycles, only with an electric motor. The bike hybrid has pedals that you can turn, and an electric scooter with a dead battery can be driven like a normal one, pushing off the ground with your foot.

This versatility sets them apart from gyro scooters, mono-wheels, segways and other fashionable modes of transport. But electric scooters and bicycle hybrids can compete with each other. Our guide will help you understand how they differ and decide which is best for you.

I can tell the difference between a scooter and a bicycle without you. Or is there something else?

Yes, external differences are not the main thing here. You need to compare the characteristics and capabilities of transport - and choose what is more important to you.

Speed

Powerful bike hybrids can accelerate to 30 km / h or more. Electric scooters have an average limit of about 5-10 km / h less. In addition, the less traffic, the more speed is felt. Therefore, riding a scooter quickly is more of an extreme sport than a walk.

Off-road driving

If you plan to test your transport outside of asphalt roads, it is best to do so on a hybrid bike. Wheels with an impressive thickness and a diameter of at least 25 inches will cope with off-road conditions.

Mobility

The scooters are smaller, fold up and weigh around 10 kg. They can be transported without any problems in public transport, and even a child can drag a folded scooter to the fifth floor. There are bulky scooters and compact bike hybrids that fold in half. But these are rather exceptions.

Security

If you do not recklessly and ride on flat roads, any transport will be safe. But we live in a world with curbs, bumps and holes in the asphalt. You will be less afraid of them on a bike with thicker wheels and better handling at speed. On the other hand, the scooter will not allow you to develop a dangerous speed: you will have to carefully avoid all obstacles. So, perhaps the safer transport will be the one on which you ride better.

Autonomy

The batteries of electric scooters and bicycle hybrids are similar in size and capacity: you can drive from 20 to 40 km without recharging, depending on the model's specifications. But all other things being equal, bike hybrids benefit from the fact that the motor power is added to the energy that you generate by pedaling.

Anti-theft protection

With an electric scooter, everything is simple: you can fold it, take it with you to the store and not worry. The bike hybrid will remain at the entrance, and here you have to get nervous: bike locks will not save you from scoundrels with bolt cutters. For those who don't want to get nervous, there are advanced bicycles with an ignition key and a footrest lock, but they are not cheap.

Price

But here the differences are not so noticeable: bicycle hybrids are only slightly more expensive than electric scooters if we are talking about transport of the same class. A reliable and safe vehicle with advanced characteristics will cost 30-50 thousand rubles.

So which one suits me better?

As you can see, both bicycles and electric scooters have their own strengths. Therefore, it is worth choosing based on your habits and lifestyle.

An electric scooter is suitable for you if you:

live in a city with good asphalt roads;
often travel by metro and buses;
plan to carry your vehicle in the trunk;
do not strive to break speed records;
are afraid that your transport will be stolen.

A bike hybrid is right for you if you:

plan to climb curbs, drive through woods and roads with cracks in the asphalt;
love long walks;
accustomed to speeds at which the scooter can lose control;
want to alternate fitness with soothing walks;
from childhood they used to ride a bike.

Class, I want an electric scooter. How to choose it?

First, estimate the power reserve. Choose models that can travel 20 km or more without recharging - that's enough for an evening walk and daily commutes to and from work.

Second, look at the wheels. The optimal size for a city is 8-10 inches. This is enough to overcome bumps on the road. The bigger wheels look cool, but with them the scooter will no longer be light and compact. It is good if the wheels have fenders: they will protect your clothes from splashes and dirt.

Third, check the braking system. So that you do not fly headfirst on every occasion, the rear wheel must be blocked when braking.

Together with the Eltreco electric vehicle store, we have prepared a list of models that you should pay attention to:

Volteco pat drive

A compact city scooter that even folds the handlebars. A pleasant bonus is the presence of a front wheel shock absorber, which helps to overcome small obstacles with comfort.

Eltreco Iconic GL

An electric scooter for those who ride a lot and far. The Iconic GL can travel up to 45 km on a single charge, and the deck has a seat that turns the scooter into a mini scooter.

Volteco Generic S2 Booster

A light and fast scooter capable of accelerating up to 30 km / h and slowing down smoothly thanks to an advanced braking system.

Eltreco Uber ESO4-E

Powerful scooter with two motors that help accelerate faster and easier to climb the hill. The seat is removable - you can install or ride without it.

Volteco pat rover

Compact scooter with on-board computer, headlight, brake light and turn signals.

No, I will still watch bicycle hybrids. What is the main thing in them?

If you are planning off-road driving, choose a model with a motor power of 250 watts and above. The optimum wheel size is 27.5 inches. It's good if the bike has a removable battery - then you can charge it at home without getting dirt from the wheels all around.

If you're looking for an urban option, look at the design and the ability to fold the bike in half for transport. Take the time to check that it will fit into the trunk of your car. In addition, the bike hybrid should work normally in normal bike mode, in case the battery runs out before you get home.

Cool if there is a hybrid mode in which the intensity of the motor depends on how hard you pedal. It helps keep the battery charged over a longer distance.

Here are the options to look at:

Tsinova kupper unicorn

Bike hybrid with intuitive VeloUp pedaling support! and meticulous customization in the Android app.

Eltreco XT-700

Powerful bike hybrid with 350 W motor and adjustable pedaling support.

Eltreco Good 250W Litium

Stylish urban bike hybrid with a folding frame. It can be stored in the trunk or on the bus.

Green City E-Alfa

City bike hybrid with a transformer luggage rack and two seats with footrests for transporting passengers. Nice details: rear-view mirrors and anti-theft system with rear wheel blocking.

Uberbike H26

A versatile hybrid bike with a powerful motor, advanced hybrid mode and 21 gears in bike mode. Suitable for both fitness and leisurely evening walks.

Is it harmful to ride a bike?

The sports doctor answers. This question was submitted by our reader. You can also ask your question to Lifehacker - if it is interesting, we will definitely answer. Are there health risks of cycling? Elmurza Jyrgalbekov Cycling is considered one of the healthiest sports, but it also has negative sides.