$1299??? Apart from the GPS and "Free Rides Package" and "Bird Service Center", what's the value added? I could just get a Segway Ninebot ES4 for less than $800?
Turns out Segway is owned by Ninebot and a large chunk of Ninebot is owned by Xiaomi.
In terms of build quality, both are pretty similar.
Here is the source:
https://www.engadget.com/2015/04/15/segway-ninebot-xiaomi-ac...
Or anyone who has to ride over seamed concrete (sidewalks) and wants their knees to still work.
Scooters don't have great shock absorption, so all that energy is going in to your joints. Over time you'll develop issues.
I see people riding by on Boosted Boards and sometimes think that I want one. I never think that when I see someone on a scooter. I like to ride the scooter now and then, but I don't want to own one, nor do I want to carry one into my home or office.
Having a single wheel also means the wheelbase/turning radius is extremely small - you can turn in-place with enough skill.
For example what happens if the battery dies ? since the OW balances itself, I fear it would be worse than a boosted (for which you are already potentially in a tight spot but you might be able to slow down manually) .
The OW has a feature called "pushback" - when the battery is nearly-depleted or you are going too fast, it will aggressively adjust the angle of the board backwards, forcing you to slow down.
In the event of a low battery, you'll end up traveling at extremely low speed until the back end of the board touches the ground, forcing you to stop.
On a boosted, I can go to the other side of my city, but I cannot do the return trip.
I can do the 6 miles to go there (since there are slopes, we are far from the theoretical and inflated max range) Spend several hours .. and I would love to be able to go back on my skateboard afterwards.
I’m not spreading that myth by suggesting that people consider choosing a half marathon rather than a full marathon, gradually increase their training level, or avoid something that might have the risks of running without the rewards.
My main worry on an eskate is to fall and gravely injure myself. Even if you are extremely skilled, you might still miss a pothole one day or a car might do something very stupid.
As far as wear on my joints .. I dunno .. most of the riding involve no shocks, the only fatigue is to have to stay on a slightly bent position.. your calves are the muscle that fatigue the most during eskating.
I have fine balance normally so I've always wanted to try a Boosted because it'd be handy when I go into our SF office or when I do stuff in San Jose.
The trickiest part of skateboarding is foot breaking and pushing, with the boosted board you really don't have to do either so it's generally a lot easier. I'd guess given a couple hours and a week cruising around a bit you'd be comfortable going pretty fast.
I wear a helmet and sometimes wrist guards depending on how risky I'm feeling. If you're in town and want to try it let me know.
You also get a lot better at it with time. Shocks that would have thrown me to the ground 1 year ago are not that scary anymore.
Just find a park or a parking to learn to use it.
A scooter's handlebars help but not as much as a bicycle, and I think it lulls you into a false sense of security.
The xiaomi m365, for example, is one of the most commonly owned electric scooters, (I am pretty sure it used to be the model that Bird based their scooters off of), and you can buy them for ~425$ or so.
Then I saw your comment... nope.
Of course I wouldn't spend that kind of money for either a scooter or whatever the hell the Ninebot wants to call itself.