Are kick scooters just for kids?

This is a question many people ask themselves when they are looking for an alternative mode of transportation. We grew up seeing these as kid’s toys because when you became an adult you drove a car or a motorcycle. Adult bicycles are popular, but the adult kick scooter has long been on the fringe of recreational transportation.
 
You don’t have to be a kid, and at times, the kick scooter is ideal for adult applications. The problem that most people have is finding scooters made for adults. If you go to major retailers, then you’ll find many scooters for kids, but nothing for an adult.
 
The best way to find adult scooters is either online or via cycling store. You can find type you want with the specifications you need.

Why would an adult want a kick scooter?

We’ve all heard of the treacherous commutes where people spend hours inching along interstates to get to work. Many people who live in urban areas choose to walk to work instead, especially if it’s only a few blocks between their apartment and work. A kick scooter would be a faster way to get to work than walking and it doesn’t take up a lot of space.

A bicycle is difficult to maneuver around people and you have to lock it up on a bike stand that is hopefully near your office. A scooter folds up and can be taken with you.

Anyone who has a job delivering goods in urban areas might also choose a scooter over a bicycle because of its cost and ability to move through people.

Exercise is another big reason why an adult might want a kick scooter. While bicycles get all the exercise glory, a kick scooter works out the legs muscles and provides an excellent cardio workout.

Adults who use a kick scooter need to be able to park it standing occasionally and that’s why we created Scooter Rizer. It’s a kickstand for your scooter, so you never have to leave it on the ground again.

Kick scooters can be pretty durable, especially if you take care of them. Time takes its toll though and eventually things need to be replaced. Spending endless hours on sidewalks and blacktop can be a nightmare on wheels and eventually they will need to be replaced.

You’ll know when the wheels become cracked and your usual smooth ride becomes bumpy and unbearable or the wheels refuse to move easily.

Taking the Wheels Off

The first step is to purchase the new wheels and bearings from a local scooter or hobby store. It usually comes with the wrench required to take off and put on the wheels. Remove the wheels and grab the Allen wrench. Grip the front wheel of the scooter securely and place the Allen wrench in the front left axle bolt. Loosen the bolt and remove it. Place the wrench into the right axle bolt, loosen it and remove the bolt.

Pull the front wheel and it should come off with ease. If it’s been on there a while, then it may take some additional pressure to dislodge it.

Replacing the Wheels

The wheel has two bearings and a spacer that lets the wheel move freely. Take the old wheel and use the Allen wrench to pop out the metal bearing. This should allow you to reach in and pull out the spacer. Turn the wheel over and do the same thing to the other bearing.

When finished, you should have two bearings and a spacer. Grab the new wheel and take one of the bearings and place it into the wheel. Press hard so the bearing fits securely into the wheel. Turn the wheel over and put in the spacer. With the spacer in place, the final bearing can be put into its spot.

Put the new wheel into its spot on the scooter and install the right and left axle bolts. It’s basically doing the opposite of when you took them off. The bolts must be placed in the right position and do not force them.

They should be tightened just enough to allow the wheel not to wobble, but not too tight so that the wheel can’t move freely.

With the front wheel replaced, do the same procedure for removing and replacing the rear wheel. Once the wheels are in place, you’re ready to go. Check out our Scooter Rizer to keep your kick scooter safe and sound.

Scooters are hot gifts this holiday season because they’re not only fun, but carry a lot of benefits you might not even think about. There’s nothing better than the look on a person’s eyes when the open up a scooter…and yes, that goes for adults too. Scooters aren’t just for kids. They’re great gifts for any age. Jack Frost may be nipping at your nose, but it won’t be long before scooter weather is back again.

Space

How many people have tried to ride a bicycle down a crowded street or sidewalk? Have you tried taking a bicycle inside of a building? It doesn’t go well. Scooters are small and lightweight, making them perfect for urban travel. You can maneuver around people and objects much easier with a scooter than a bicycle. Many scooters also fold up, so they’re easily carried on your back when entering a building. Who wouldn’t love that kind of freedom?

Cost

Walking into a bicycle shop and trying to find an affordable ride can be difficult. There are so many brands to choose from and it could end up costing you hundreds of dollars. Scooters tend to be much more moderately priced, so they won’t break the bank. You can get a quality kick scooter for much less than a bicycle. Sure, you may not be able to take them off-roading, but when it comes to traveling on roads and sidewalks, scooters are the way to go.

Health

We’re a sedentary society. People spend hours sitting in cubicles and kids sit playing videogames. People hardly go outside any more, but the health benefits of exercising are hard to ignore. When you’re pushing the scooter down the road, you’re exercising your muscles, heart and more. It’s a cardiovascular wonderland. It can help you lose weight and it doesn’t have the high impact of other exercises. It’s perfect for anyone that’s a little out of shape. You’ll be doing ollies in no time.

Scooter Rizer is a must-have for anyone using a scooter. It provides you a kickstand, so you don’t have to worry about it falling or scraping on the ground. Adults using a scooter won’t have to keep bending over to pick it up. It’s a no brainer. Check out our selection of Scooter Rizer today.

Most people don’t think about doing tricks with a scooter. For some reason, they equate tricks with bicycles and skateboards. Scooters provide the balance of a bicycle with the form of a skateboard. You can do some amazing tricks on a scooter, but before you head out to the skate park, learn some of these basic moves first.

 

The Ollie

The starting block to almost all tricks is the Ollie. It’s basically a jump where the wheels come off the ground. While riding, pull up on the handlebars and your feet so the scooter gets airborne. Practice these several times and make sure you get used to the landing. You can even expand that to include the No-Foot, where you Ollie and then take both feet of the scooter.

The X-Up and Kick Out

This trick is one you often see with bicyclists. Do an Ollie, so the scooter goes high in the air and then twist the handlebars 90 degrees. Make sure to straighten them before landing. You can also do a Kick-Out, where you do an Ollie and then kick the scooter deck out to the side and bring it back before landing.

The Wheelie and Front Wheelie

For the wheelie, just apply pressure to the rear of the scooter and lean back until the front wheel lifts. Once the wheel is in the air, just use your balance to keep it there. The Front Wheelie is similar, but instead of putting pressure on the rear and leaning back, you’re putting pressure on the front and leaning forward.

The Pogo

Anyone remember the pogo stick from childhood? It’s a stick with springs that allowed you to hop from place to place. The scooter version doesn’t have springs, but the bouncing is the same. Lean on the rear brake so the wheel can’t move and lean back so the front wheel lifts. Start bouncing on the rear wheel, and you’ve got the pogo perfected.

The Tailwhip

Another gateway trick, the Tailwhip involves doing an Ollie and kicking the deck around 360 degrees.

The Key is Practice

These tricks are fun, but they’re not all easy. It’s going to take practice to perfect and develop your abilities. Also, make sure the person on the Scooter is wearing protective guards and a helmet. The scooter will be in the air and falls can happen.

One of the biggest problems with scooters is they don’t have a way to keep them standing like bicycles do. Too often they end up laying on the ground where paint can get scratched and you have to bend over to pick it up. Scooter Rizer lets you keep the scooter upright so you can just go, while keeping your scooter safe. Check out our products here.