Electrified Personal Vehicles - Recommendations and discussion

Thx WarpDrive, I ordered the Scooter, but I'm going to purchase a EUC, I also have the Jetson Bolt ebike , Wow Electric Skateboard, and Xiami M365 scooter (Rfd is burning the proverbial hole in the wallet), and a quality motorcycle jacket with good body armor (D30?...inserts..) motorcycle jacket and pants...

I had a coworker that raced motorcycle locally in Gvrd area....on tracks...
Any recommendations...on protective gear? and ..I heard Judo... or maybe parkour for rolling and tucking on the ground if one goes airborn..... sigh should have take Floor gymnastics.... when I was young....

Thanks, following.

Got any useful links?

https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricScooters/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricUnicycle/
https://forum.electricunicycle.org/

I'm currently in the Electric Scooter vs Electric Unicycle (EUC) stage so I'll put a summary of what I've found based on my readings:
Pros:
Electric scooter - safer, smaller learning curve, more stable at faster speeds, if a motor suddenly stops, you coast
EUC - more "connected" feeling when riding, or more "fun", free hands to eat or use the phone or fiddle, or hand signal, big wheel means you feel less bumps, way less maintenance (pump tire, change tire when it wears down). more compact (you can wheel them with you like a rolling luggage bag)

Cons:
Electric scooter - more maintenance, (brakes, both the handle and pads, chains, wheels, handlebars), smaller wheels means you feel everything, if you want to hand signal, things can get dicey when taking your hand off the handlebar
EUC - if the motor suddenly stops, you crash, you don't coast. some people complain of being more sore on long trips (I haven't looked into it much yet, but you're on your feet with both devices, but one is more engaged?)

I think there's quite a diverse range of uses for these things.

For a lot of people, it's an alternative to walking.

Ebikes are great for covering vast distances, but are expensive (for a good one...at least $1500 - ranging up to thousands)

For people looking for something to cover smaller distances, e-scooters are easy to use. They won't provide "a thrill" though. Most of the entry level ones are limited to 25km.h and don't accelerate that quickly, and you feel a lot of bumps, and struggle with bigger hills. They are fairly compact and have very little learning curve, so are good for just ordinary everyday users. To get a thrill, you need to step up to the more powerful enthusiast models, which can hit 40, 50 even 60km/h and provide high torque to get you going quickly

Personally I've been a cyclist type of guy all my life, and ebikes are awesome....you still get the benefits of cycling....you can get exercise since you can choose to pedal, but it takes the annoying parts out of it, hills and headwind are not a pain in the butt anymore.

I own a $2000 Brompton folding (non-electric) bike which I bought about 10 years ago, and I think it's the perfect last mile vehicle, but with the proliferation of e-scooters, I think the need for that kind of bike has diminished a lot. There are many times when I need to go somewhere but the car becomes a hinderance. I want to park my car nearby, pull out the scooter and I can cover the last mile easily. I used to do that with my Brompton and now, I think e-scooter is the way to go.

I highly recommend Slime tire sealant - cheapest at Grainger 13 ($22 Amazon.ca), Kudos to @SoupNazi (fellow Rfder - starter of Jetson Bolt ebike accessories and mods thread). I have two flats to fix on my Xiami Scooter m365 $500 bucks approx. Cad picked up xborder from Wooto(Amazon US overstock) prior to pandemic..

I also own Jetson bolt pro ebike foldable fits in the trunk great for the last mile. As suggested, prefilled tires with Slime. Was $389 but sold out on Costco online. soldout within an hour ... discussion thread on Rfd. Hopefully re stock before end of summer?

For adventure, Wow E skateboard $550 another Rfd deal, this is more scary, I've been looking silly practicing with full hockey Rollerblade gear on....

I am newbie to e-scooters, owned Gotrax Apex and GXL V2, and think that Apex model is better. At the same time, I always want to try other models, hope to learn more about e-scooters in this thread

I'll have to pass on the electric unicycles because I don't want to be hassled. Don't think they're street legal here in Vancouver.
The jetson is affordable and I have one. If I get another I'd go with a standard sized wheel ebike, but like others have mentioned it's the most expensive. There's so much versatility with what you can do with it though compared to an escooter.

warpdrive wrote: ↑ Personally I'm looking for a light duty e-scooter for just occasional "last mile" use or to explore area after parking-ditching the car.

If that's the criteria, then objectively & subjectively, there's no other except EUCs. Smallest currently available is the Mten3 weighing 20lbs & is backpackable. Sizing up will be 30-40lbs but incl an extendable handle to wheel around like luggage.

Range is approx 30+kms on the Mten3 & upto 200+kms on the largest. & That's real world. I've taken my wheels into stores, marts, restaurants, McDs, Ikea, Costco & the office (which I park it under the desk for charging or otherwise). So you tell me if there's anything currently available with them specs.

But I bought mine primarily for pleasure. Some say riding an EUC is akin to flying or gliding & IMO albeit somewhat hyperbolic, they're not lying. I feel like I've a jetpack on riding on smoother tarmac. Plus I get to feel like a mono mtb on grass & dirt. Shieeet, I even take mine on blue - red mtb trails with extended 30-40º climbs on dirt/grass & even gravel! With some practise & pads (diy or otherwise), I can easily hop, jump & catch air.

Far's comfort, there's suspension models as well. Even the non suspended wheels have 16-18-24" tires so its not like the 8-11" escoots. Again, with practise & some body (primarily leg) positioning, the majority of roads & trails are very doable & infact, extremely enjoyable. Indeed, I ride on dirt as much as I can.

Check out some YT vids to see the differences. Not to say escoots aren't fun but the lesser scoots as much fun as a slow moped. Monster escoots OTOH are a different animal. While the wheels still wins on nimbleness, light weight, portability & (usually) range, there's something to going 80-100kph on a scoot. Maybe its just the fear factor involved.

But still, I feel like a kid again on my wheels & ya, I even hang out at skateparks. While I won't say I can't (as I haven't tried) do the deep bowls, I can ride my wheel on everything else. Sk8 boys win on tricks ofcos!

Personally, I'm scared of the idea of riding a unicycle. It's like the line you draw when it comes to motorcycles. I love driving fast and sports cars, but I can't take the leap to ride a motorbike.

The EUC look fun though, but when the question becomes, when, not if, you will wipe out... I can't get there (Yeah, I'm a wimp)

If any of y'all are in Toronto come out Wednesdays we have an electric racing league 3 categories: eucs, e-scooters and e-skates



I came from e-scooter and once I went to euc I can't go back(I mean I can but I like euc way more)

I have a bunch of these e-vehicles... it's starting to get unhealthy lol

my personal favorite so far is still the EUC. But it depends on your use case. I remember ever since my teens, I was fascinated with the first Segway I saw, those big ones with the handle bars that you hold onto with your hands. My first time riding one was in Montreal about 10 years ago, back when they actually had companies renting them out with tour guides for like $100/hr or something lol. But at the time I don't think they were available to regular consumers and the models being rented out probably costs thousands of dollars so $100 to try one was arguably still worth it for those interested.
That's why I was so interested when these things started making their way to the consumer market. I started out with a Segway miniPro... actually bought 2 of them. Loved it. It was so cool to me at the time and I used it at work to zip around the large warehouse very efficiently. Ended up buying a second one as well when I saw it on sale.
Next I saw a deal on the Segway One S1 EUC on sale on Amazon and jumped bought one for $500. I was always a pretty athletic guy as a teen and got the hang of physical stuff easier than most people I'd say. So my ability to learn how to ride the Segway miniPro relatively quickly (like within 15 mins) gave me a lot of confidence on being able to tackle the EUC as well. Man was I surprised at how hard it was. I still remember right after unboxing the One S1, I was so excited. Within 5 minutes my confidence came crashing down after realizing there was literally no way I could even go a meter without falling. I tried holding onto a wall to go for about 45 minutes and still I felt like I wasn't making much progress. Got frustrated, put the darn thing aside for literally a year and it just collected dust. At some point later, I dunno why, probably seeing a youtube video somewhere, triggered me to go back and give it a shot. Watched a bunch of EUC beginners guides on Youtube and tried again... Still couldn't get far, but forced myself to push on. Slowly, like very slowly, after like a few weeks, totaling about maybe 5-10hrs of falling, finally got the hang of it. I reckon the experience to the first time learning to ride a bike. It's super hard at the beginning, bordering on feeling impossible, and then you slowly make progress, then at some point, something just clicks and you get it... and then you improve your skills and comfort from there. But for a lot of folks in their later 20s or older, you gotta ask yourself if you're willing to go through the same thing you did with learning to ride a bicycle when you were like what? 5 yrs old? Once you get it though, totally worth it. I ended up recently YOLOing on a Gotway RS C38. Man it's just at totally different beast.

Recently I also got the Jetson Bolt Pro like many others here on RFD. I mean, it's a bike... so really no learning curve there. It is what it is.
I don't currently own a e-scooter but I have ridden one in a Xiaomi store in China. Also I did just get my kid a Segway E12 and I rode on it for like a few meters just to test it. Again, really no learning curve at all. If you can walk and ain't drunk, you can ride an e-scooter.
I know there are a ton of other options even outside of what I've listed. You go the onewheels, eskates, "hover" boards, e-skateboards. My favorite is still the EUC now that I know how to ride one. You feel super connected and the ride is actually very comfortable because of how big the wheels are compared to everything else except larger e-bicycles. If you ride on sidewalks or bumpy roads a lot, anything with small wheels (i.e. under 12" diameter) is gonna feel super bumpy. I know there are models that are starting to come out with suspension now, so that might help... but still, nothing eats up small bumps like a large wheel cause you just roll right over it rather than have a portion of your wheel sink in, which is what causes the bump in the first place.

For those considering what to buy there's a few considerations. Learning curve is one for sure. Safety is another. E-bikes you should just wear the same gear you would on any regular bicycle and follow all the same commonsense rules. EUC is imo way more dangerous. When you crash an EUC you will inevitably eat pavement. So full safety gear is highly recommended, especially with how fast modern top tier EUCs can go (70-80kmh). Segways and hoverboards don't go nearly as fast. I think they mostly top out at around 20kmh. e-scooters vary a lot. On the one end you get things like the Segway max at costco which I believe tops out at 30kmh... but then you also get crazy performance ones like Rion RE 90 which literally can launch faster than some cars. But again, unless you doing something stupid fast like going max speed at 100kmh on the Rion and crash, most e-scooters the vast majority of consumers out there will buy should be must slower and much more controllable compared to EUCs.

What you use it for is also another consideration. If you primarily use it for only joy riding, any of the options that fit your riding style will do. if you plan on using it to run errands like picking up limited amount of groceries etc, I feel like the EUC is the only one I'd comfortably do it with. These things are expensive and I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them outside shops, even with bike locks etc. But they're also too big to bring into the stores or malls. Most modern EUCs have a handlebar that allows you to pretty easily roll it along beside you in stores. Buy your stuff, throw it in a backpack and you're golden. Your precious e-vehicle never has to leave your side.

Lastly, and this is just me, consider whether you'd be riding this primarily by yourself or you'll be going out with a kid, or your significant other, or friends, and at what speeds they will likely go. When I had the One S1, I topped out at around 20kmh... My kid riding his bike can pretty much keep up for the most part. Once I upgraded to the Gotway, I felt held back by him during our rides out. It was such a bummer. I felt like I wasn't getting to use the full potential of what I paid thousands of dollars to buy. And I can tell the poor guy was trying. Pedaling as hard as he can behind me to keep up. But having to stop once every 10 seconds to wait up for someone is no fun. If this is you, just get something slower so you can all have a good time lol. That's one of the primary reasons I got my kid his own Segway.
Maybe I'll make another video to talk more about my experience with the topic when I have time.

warpdrive wrote: ↑ Personally, I'm scared of the idea of riding a unicycle. It's like the line you draw when it comes to motorcycles. I love driving fast and sports cars, but I can't take the leap to ride a motorbike.

The EUC look fun though, but when the question becomes, when, not if, you will wipe out... I can't get there (Yeah, I'm a wimp)

I get the apprehension & you're not incorrect. IMO the risks & danger are definitely higher than ebikes. Even if the (likely inevitable IMO) faceplants are avoided, EUCs are known to be ankle & shin biters at the very least. Esp when learning. Also with ebikes, escoots & esk8s, they slow down & stop moving on epower when battery sags & depletes.

EUCs otoh, will just stop balancing leading to the infamous cutouts & inevitable faceplants. Besides low battery, cutouts are also quite common when overpowering the wheel on acceleration & extreme climbs. O & did I mention overheating & current overdraw can also cause mobo burnouts?

Goodnews about faceplants are that one learns the many quirks of EUCs preeeety fast. O & ofcos the needed investment in PPE ie. personal protection equipment aka gear. Personally I gear up in a ff mtb helmet (MX helmet in cooler weather & modular flip up MC helmet when cold aka winter), elbow/knee+shin pads & blade gloves almost always. Indeed I cringe whenever I see peeps riding raw sans ppe even on vids.

As I mentioned in another post, IMO there are no casual EUC riders. Its a deep dive in commitment both in (learning) skills & PPE. Ebikes & escoots are the way to go for casual fun.

That said, the payoff are big ear2ear smiles. Its super satisfying riding an EUC as oppose to other forms plus there's just a je ne sais quoi to gliding along sans handlebars & other such. I get to do pendulums, ride backwards & other such shenanigans without dismounting while waiting for lights. The kewl factor is outta this world...literally.

Its such a fun way do errands, to go places, explore &or aimlessly ride just cos. Its also a reason for a bunch of us to get together esp in these trying lockdown times.

O & chicks dig it. I'm guessing for some, that's plenty reason 'nuff

Also look for group rides, they are a fun way to explore your city, I went on a Toronto one recently and it was fun.

IMO I should warn tho that try to find a fair pace group to ride with as some groups are just speed demons and you can be left behind/feel pressured to keep up beyond what you feel is safe/your limit.
For me I ended up a few times with a fast group one time and man I really wanted to upgrade to those faster eucs/e-scoots $3500+ but then I realized for my needs and budget what I already have is good enough for commuting/casual as I am able to keep up with traffic/match speed most of the time

Explore Toronto group ride with a mix of pevs I was in a this month(eucs, e-skates, e-scooters etc.):



its pretty cool riders of all ages/backgrounds as young as 16 students to 50s retired

the people look to be going very fast at times.....this is obviously another level or two compared to the GoTrax and Segway scooter deals being posted here. People look to be outfitted properly with safety gear....good to see.

I'm still hoping to find a "sweet spot" for a casual e-scooter in the next couple of weeks while there is something left of summer.

I have a OneWheel XR. It was (is) expensive, heavy (and awkward to carry around, and definitely not something you want to haul for larger distances), and not as fast or as long range as other options out there (30km/h and about 30km range. Both are pretty real world numbers. I've topped out at around 35km/h and get about 28-32km range as a lighter rider at 155lbs). The extra range is likely due to the smaller and lighter tire I replaced the stock one with.

On a spec sheet, it's certainly lacking especially for the price. But you aren't getting the OneWheel for the specs. It's for the ride experience, customizability, and after-market support. I Love snowboarding and this really scratches that itch for me. The joy of just cruising and carving is such a joy every single time, and as a fun "last-mile" type, I think only EUCs can really compare. EUCs are probably safer, but both options aren't exactly as safe as scooters. EUCs have more safety features and a bigger wheel, but the OneWheel is far easier to learn and I would imagine the sideways stance makes knowing your surroundings quite a bit easier (looking behind you, for example).

Ultimately, it's a preference thing, and if you want to know the real world perspective of someone who owns both, look up Jimmy Chang on YouTube.

My girlfriend has a Jetson Bolt Pro, and we usually ride together. I'm deliberately slowed down a little bit as the OneWheel has a higher top speed, but to be honest, I'm not much of a speed demon and prefer moving about at my own pace. It's a really nice set up for the two of us.

warpdrive wrote: ↑ Personally I've been a cyclist type of guy all my life, and ebikes are awesome....you still get the benefits of cycling....you can get exercise since you can choose to pedal, but it takes the annoying parts out of it, hills and headwind are not a pain in the butt anymore.

I own a $2000 Brompton folding (non-electric) bike which I bought about 10 years ago, and I think it's the perfect last mile vehicle, but with the proliferation of e-scooters, I think the need for that kind of bike has diminished a lot. There are many times when I need to go somewhere but the car becomes a hinderance. I want to park my car nearby, pull out the scooter and I can cover the last mile easily. I used to do that with my Brompton and now, I think e-scooter is the way to go.

Probably no market for it. But I had a thought.
What if there was a super light weight (thus weaker and lower battery) but meant to just provide light pedal assist for hills & head wind.

UrbanPoet wrote: ↑ What if there was a super light weight (thus weaker and lower battery) but meant to just provide light pedal assist for hills & head wind.

I think the market for e-bikes overlaps these other PEVs a lot but most people know how to ride and bike and it's the most stable and familar feeling, so assisted e-bikes are always going to be a thing.

I was looking at the Swytch kit to electrify my own bike(s). It's not that powerful and the battery is limited but it would be very helpful at times where you just need a boost and don't want to arrive tired or sweaty. It seems to be a good alternative to spend $5K on a real electric Brompton.

The main appeal of a scooter is just that you can stow it in the trunk, just like a Brompton. But the bigger ones are way too unwieldy....they take up the whole trunk and aren't really transportable.

UrbanPoet wrote: ↑ Probably no market for it. But I had a thought.
What if there was a super light weight (thus weaker and lower battery) but meant to just provide light pedal assist for hills & head wind.

Radpower bikes (based in either Man or Sask) had a lightweight (~30-40 lbs) with a 250w motor (I think) & a correspondingly in frame lightweight batt for as little as $1k that fits your criteria almost to a T. But ya you're right, it's now discountinued as there's no market for such a chimera.

Most if not all, want the full assist option or go old school leg power & I see the logic. For exercise, one can dial down e-assist or go full legs esp. on flats where weight isn't as much of an issue. A neither here nor there is a very niche segment if any.

I posted in previous thread on ninebot e-scooters that I purchased an electric scooter by Maxbik, I just wanted to share with you a thread with 15% off promo, which may be of interest to some of you I believe:
maxbik-maxbik-l9-dual-drive-adult-elect ... f-2480983/