Some cold nasty weather has descended upon the Northeast this past week. While I am as much a proponent of 4-season cycling as any employee of a bike shop, walking the walk (biking the bike) becomes a little harder when your sloppy weather ride gets stolen, as mine did a year ago (if anyone has paid $15 for a single-speed red Centurion with Ashtabula cranks it is probably mine). So with no bike and somewhere to go one day after work last week (cheapskate that I am the thought of burning $2.25 on a Metrocard swipe makes me cringe) I turned to NYCeWheels’ cache of loaner kick scooters. Specifically, to our KickPed test scooter.
Harrison scoots 70 blocks on a Kick Ped scooter
Despite the fact that I have worked four months now in a shop specializing not only in electric bikes and folding bikes but also – hence this blog post – kick scooters, I will admit that I have not scooted aboard one of these nifty conveyances any significant distance since my childhood days patrolling my neighborhood on a General Sidekick kick scooter of the pneumatic tire variety back in the late 1980s. Boarding the KickPed was like experiencing the sum of almost 25 years of kick scooter innovation and advancement in a single scoot.
Gone are the days when kick scooters are just for kids. The KickPed – in a densely packed place like New York City especially – is a legitimate and very convenient means of transport. I took a route downtown that combined some street scooting (mostly on the quieter crosstown streets), a few bike lanes, and in spots even sidewalks. With the KickPed there’s a slight trade-off of speed compared to, say, a Xootr kick scooter, but given the sloppy weather (on account of which I was also very glad to have a fender!) I was playing it safe anyway.
I’m not sure there’s any other kick scooter I’d rather ride, at night, in an urban environment than the KickPed kick scooter. With its long wheelbase and beefy hard rubber wheels I could hop a lip in the road when necessary, not wipe out if I suddenly came upon a raised manhole cover or pothole. The KickPed is also as portable as they get. The deck features a cut-out that allows you to carry the KickPed closer to your body when folded, but doesn’t sacrifice any deck stability when scooting. And the fold is quick and easy – just pull up on the sleeve and fold the handlebars down. Then your means of transport takes up no more space than a folded umbrella.
I ended up scooting all the way from 84th down to 14th Street, a solid 45 minute scoot. In addition to being quite a bit of fun kick scooting is also something of a workout. A coworker of mine likened riding a kick scooter to cross country skiing and given the winter weather, the analogy felt just about spot on.
Hi,
I’m interested in buying a kick scooter, and have narrowed it down between the Kickped and the XOOTR. Could you please advise the pluses and minuses of each
- speed, durability, how each handles over uneven surfaces, and the like. Please
include total price, including shipping to zip 94707. Thanks.
Sincerely,
JULES WEISS
Hi Julie,
Well, to be brief: the Xootr is faster but a somewhat less stable on rough ground, while the KickPed is built to handle bumps and potholes but leaves a little speed on the table. It’s all about tradeoffs. Both are great scooters, it just depends what kind of scooting you do and what the conditions are like where you live. Personally I use both!
KickPeds are $229 while Xootrs, depending on the model, begin at $199 and go up to $279. Shipping to the west coast would probably be $25-35 but you can visit NYCeWheels, add the item to your cart and enter your zip code for a 100% accurate quote.
I’ve been hemming and somewhat hawing re: kick scooters. The Xootr was something I’d revisit from time to time but the fact that the thing is TOO FAST (I’m old BTW) would preclude the purchase. This scooter sounds perfect for my needs: riding with my daughter and possibly going marketing, going on the subway etc. It seems as though NYCE Wheels is the only place where this item can be purchased. That’s fine. I would like to try it…..
Hi Julie,
Well, the KickPed is available for test rides in our NY City store…
I’m interested in getting a getting a kick scooter for general traveling in the city. I’m stuck between the kickped and xooter mg. I’ve seen the xooter mg and the kickeped’s video. Do both stand up over time? I don’t mind the exercise part.
I live in Seattle where it rains most of the time. I usually walk but looking for a faster commute, do you think this would work if I don’t go too fast?
I live in Seattle too, and have been enjoying a Xootr mg for about 2 years. I’m considering adding a Kickped to my stable for wet weather, as the rubber wheels won’t slip and slide like the harder urethane wheels on the Xoot. It sounds like just the thing.
In warmer/dryer weather, Xooting from lower Queen Anne to downtown is a breeze.
Just an FYI,
I got the xootr and loved the speed and its slick clean look. However, after two days of riding I realized I made a big mistake. So I went back to the good people of NYCWheels and begged them to let me exchange the xooter for the Kickped. I found that in general city sidewalks are not as smooth as they appear when you are walking on them. I found that many times they are so bad. You end up walking along side the xootr. So although you’re not riding as fast as the xootr you will be riding it more often with the kickped and it will get you to your destination faster. Thank you NYCWheels for understanding.
Hi Al! We’re glad you came back. I think the KickPed was definitely the way to go for you. Glad you are enjoying it! -Peter
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