Sometimes you get more than you anticipate. Such is the case with the Apollo City electric scooter. This is a very well-built machine that’s won several tech awards this past year. The model I tried has dual motors, which means it’s capable of traveling at up to 32 miles per hour. Not sure about you, but I don’t feel comfortable doing that on an e-scooter. Keep in mind that I’m also not a thrill-seeker.
This is unapologetically a vehicle geared for adults that’s meant to be a micro mobility product – perhaps replacing the use of a car. It features 500W motors in the front and rear so it glides quickly up hills, a 40V 20aH battery that has good mile range (up to 43 miles in eco mode), and a triple spring suspension system to make every ride super comfortable. The deck is nice and wide. The tires are puncture-proof and self-healing. The handlebars feel great. The display screen is bright and informative. Its IP66 rating essentially means you can ride this in the rain without electronic issues. The Power RBS regenerative brakes help add range to each charge. And its 500 lumen, 20 LUX front headlight, rear brake light and dedicated right and left turn signals add an enormous amount of safety for riders who commute using this on a regular basis. The makers really thought of everything. And you can easily control the top speed – and various other factors – through the sister smartphone app. E Road Bike
If you’ve read my column for any amount of time, you know that I’ve tried my share of electric scooters. Up until this year, it seemed like many of them were geared for grown-ups and kids who just wanted to travel around their area, maybe to a friend’s house a mile away, or perhaps for some quick exhilarating thrill rides. But lately I’ve noticed several models, including this one, that are much more commuter-minded machines. Their specs are super high-end, and more importantly, they feel way more substantial when you step onto them and activate the throttle.
This one nearly felt like it had more technology than I was comfortable handling. Don’t get me wrong – this is a “me” thing and not a scooter thing. The vehicle itself is really well made. The company puts each scooter through a 102-point quality control check, before it leaves the factory. That shows through in the end product. The brakes are super responsive (and adjustable) – although out of the box, I felt they were too abrupt for what I’m used to. The acceleration is smooth, quiet and fantastic. That said, I never felt overly cozy riding it at more than 20 miles per hour. And it scares me to know that someone is going to dangerously push it to the max where they shouldn’t, just to speed around a neighborhood.
Long Range Electric Bike It’s pretty easy to assemble, when you pull it from the box. All of the tools are included, as is a phone holder. And it all weighs 65 pounds. While the City can fold up for portability, it’s a little heavy to lug around on an everyday basis. The dual motor version sells for $1,799.