How to Choose the Best Kick Scooter for Commuting

Kick scooters can work as daily transportation means if you manage to find those high-quality products that can last through long distances. Also, choosing a scooter when you already own a motorcycle might be challenging as you should look for different features than you do in a motorcycle.

What Matters in a Kick Scooter

• Quality: You probably know by looking at your current motorcycle that you cannot expect a lot from unknown brands or cheap products. Start with the best option whenever you are choosing a product. The kick scooter must be safe and have quality spare parts that don’t fail you after the first few uses. You can check this list of the best kick scooters for commuting this year. At the top of the list is Razor, a sturdy kick scooter made of aircraft-grade aluminum that comes with unique features like patented T-tubes, deck shapes, and brakes for a long and smooth ride. 
• Performance: You use the scooter by kicking your leg along the ground to set it in motion or increase the speed. There should be a direct proportion between your effort and the scooter’s performance. Performance is about how fast and far the scooter glides after each leg push.
• Comfort and safety: A kick scooter sends a vibration into the ground when you kick your leg against it. Your comfort and the ride’s quality depend on the force of this vibration. Scooters can either be light or sturdy, so make a choice depending on your weight and height.
• Portability and storage: You will use the best kick scooter for commuting, but you will also need a place to store it. Portability is also essential. You should be able to fold and carry your scooter around with zero difficulty.

What Makes the Best Kick Scooter for Commuting

Wheel Size

Wheels are the key to the stability and sturdiness of a kick scooter. While small wheels assure performance, large ones work better for long-distance use. You can determine the size of wheels by the number of A on their label. For example, 75A shows a small wheel, while 100A is sturdier. The optimal choice for the average user is 85A.

Large wheels typically have a 7-9-inch diameter and come with better shock absorption and safer rolling over objects from the ground than smaller wheels. But kick scooters with large wheels are also more cumbersome to carry around and require more effort when accelerating and slowing down.

Small wheels have a 4 to 6-inch diameter and usually weigh less than 8.8 pounds. You can operate them more naturally as they are lighter and work well when turning in a small radius. However, these wheels have a shorter glide distance with each push and send more vibration into the ground.

Deck Size and Height

You will stand on the deck, so the scooter’s deck should be resistant and made from high-quality material. Aluminum decks are the most efficient, even though you might like a model made of plywood. The bridge should be long enough to fit your leg comfortably, without touching the wheels. Typically, deck sizes are directly proportional to wheel sizes. Also, the height is the distance between your leg and the ground.

Larger decks can save time as they are easier to step on and off. You change foot positions quickly and have longer and more efficient wheelbases. Yet, the scooter will heavier to carry and bulkier. Small decks can be found in tinier scooters that may wiggle but are more portable and faster.

Deck height influences the kick scooter’s comfort and performance. Lower decks are recommended since they make pushing easier. You will not have to bend your knee when you have a low floor. Lower decks can be found in the so-called deep drop designs that make the scooter lower through a longboard shape.

Good Suspension

A suspension makes the scooter able to absorb the shock that you encounter while hitting random objects and pushing your foot against the ground. Although some cheap models lack suspension, such feature is a must-have for a comfortable ride.

You can find the suspension either at the front or the back of the scooter. Suspension, however, adds extra weight to your scooter, making it more difficult to carry around. It may end up wearing out quicker or squeaking. But if that happens, it means that you have bought a low-quality product.

Handlebar Options

Many kick scooters don't include handbrakes, so you will have to slow them down by stepping down on the rear fender. Those who have handbrakes work with a simple braking system that has a shorter time reaction compared to the foot-friction brake. Handbrakes, though, can limit handlebar options and add a bit of weight to the kick scooter.

You might have a difficult time getting used to bicycle-style handbrakes as you have a straight position on the scooter which is not similar to riding a motorcycle. This might slow you down if you plan to buy the scooter for work transportation purposes.

You should choose the height on the handlebar depending on how tall you are. Most scooters have 42-44-inch long handlebars. However, you can ask for a longer one if you are much taller than the average person.

Warranty

The best kick scooter for commuting should come with a service warranty. In fact, most reputable brands sell products with such an option. If you find a device that doesn't include warranty, don’t buy it. You are just looking at a cheap and low-quality model.

According to a study, kick scooter riding might lead to minor fractures and bruises in teenagers and children. So, if you have a child and they really want a scooter, you can save some money if you have a service warranty.

Going to Work with the Best Kick Scooter for Commuting

Kick scooters can be excellent portable commuting devices if you choose them according to your needs and particularities. Find the best kick scooter for commuting, practice around your home, and use it to go anywhere!