But theres also a middle ground in scooters like theMercane WideWheel, distributed exclusively byFluidFreeRidein the US.
(Moreover, itson sale for $899at the time of publishing).
The scooter is also built to a high standard.
Its good looking, for one; sleek without being as techy as theUnagi Model One.
Strangers would frequently ask me about my ride.
Thats not to say the WideWheel isnt zippy though.
Thats fast enough to keep with NYC traffic in a pinch, though I normally hovered closer to 15-18mph.
The scooter delivers on range too.
And if you do run out of battery, the WideWheel makes a surprisingly decent kickscooter on flat terrain.
The scooter isnt without its faults though.
The most obvious one is in its interface.
Changing tweaks such as to switch between power modes or activate cruise control is needlessly complicated.
The WideWheels interface consists of four LEDs and a single button to switch between modes.
You get the hang of it eventually, but its not fun.
The LED headlamp is also disappointingly dim.
Itll help you be seen from a distance at night, but wont helpyousee anything ahead of you.
A separate, brighter light is absolutely necessary for night-time riding.
But the WideWheels biggest flaw, as far as Im concerned, is that it only has one brake.
The companies handled the issue swiftly and openly, offering free replacements and easy to follow instructions.
But it would have been a significantly smaller concern if the WideWheel had some other way to brake.
Aside from, you know, just putting your shoe to the asphalt.
Youll want to regularly inspect the brake to ensure everything is in order.
Its fast, stable and relatively compact for its power.
It has good range, feels well built, and comes in at a fair price.
Most importantly, its an absolute blast to ride.
