Electric scooters have now entered by right among the means of transport in the city, both because they are comfortable, but above all, because they are finally entitled to circulate on urban roads. They are the scooters, which have established themselves thanks to their ease of use and versatility. Today the ROAD one by Singyee by AEE, brought to Italy by Nital, is being tested. It is a scooter with rather standard characteristics, but one that surprised us in some respects. Here are which ones.
The ROAD is an electric scooter with a 350W motor, with certain standard features for its genre, and which measures 110 x 42 x 52 when folded, and 110 x 42 x 113 when open, with a weight of 14.1 kilograms. They are certainly not a few and thinking of transporting it for long journeys will not be among the preferable options, even if the system studied by the brand for transport is really interesting. Yes, because in a few moments it will be possible to transform the entire handlebar into a handle; not only that, with the same mechanism it will be possible to drag it trolley style, lifting only the front wheel, and letting the front one help us in transport.
The ease of folding and unfolding the scooter in a few moments is one of the reasons that make these means of locomotion really comfortable in everyday life. In a nutshell: they are always ready to use. Just unhook the pin that keeps the handlebar locked and fold it back towards the platform, where a special hook will welcome it, which will allow you to fix it and transform the handlebar into a sort of handle.
There is also a small stand under the platform, to allow the scooter to stay in balance when not in use. The platform is quite wide ( walkable 45 x 15 centimeters ) and will allow you to place your feet quite comfortably, whatever yours is shoe size. It is entirely covered with what appears to be a kind of sandpaper, which certainly makes it non-slip, but which will be very difficult to clean, especially after dirtying it with the soles of shoes. On the left edge, there is the charging hole, covered by a special black rubber cap that protects the battery charging input. 
Visually, this ROAD gives the impression of a very slim scooter.
Starting with the handlebar, which has a diameter of about 4.5 centimeters ) with a structure made of aluminum alloy, ABS, and PC parts. On the part of the handlebar, there is a small onboard computer, really easy to use, and which provides essential information for driving. When it is turned on, for example, it provides the data on the general distance traveled, while subsequently, it will indicate the distance traveled since the ignition, the number of remaining battery marks, the cruising speed, and the set mode. It is possible to choose the speed level between 1, 2, and 3, each of which ensures a maximum speed of 6, 20, and 25, respectively.
The power button is located just below the onboard computer. One long click for switching on or off, two clicks for switching on of the front LED headlight, three clicks to change the speed between kph and mph.
The handlebar is compact and completed at the ends by two rubber sleeves with non-slip texture: on the right, there is the lever for the accelerator while in front of the left sleeve we find the brake lever and that of the bell.
ROAD offers 8.5-inch wheels, not among the largest in the category, while the red light that flashes when the brake lever is pulled to signal braking is positioned on the rear fender. , and that stays on when the front LED headlight is turned on, so as to signal the gear even in poor lighting conditions. The scooter uses an electric brake + disc, has no suspension, and offers IPX4 waterproofing.
Aesthetically, ultimately, it is among the most classic, with no particular notes of originality compared to many competitors on the market. Not that it’s a bad thing, on the contrary, it is compact and sturdy and allows it to be used even by those who live in an apartment, because when closed it will take up very little space, and you can keep it in some corner of the house, under a table, at a cupboard or behind a door.
How it works and how it goes on the road
Using the scooter is extremely simple. Once switched on, it will be sufficient to step on the platform with one foot and give momentum with the other foot as if it were a traditional scooter that is off. At this point, once both feet are positioned on the Po valley, it will be sufficient to push down the lever on the right. Yes, because the accelerator is not the classic one found on bikes or engines. The lever is comfortable and certainly suitable for such a velocipede. The position of the lever seemed to us optimal, comfortable, and light to press, certainly suitable for a scooter, even if tackling a journey of 20 kilometers without pauses could cause some discomfort to the thumb. Too bad that an automatic cruise speed control is missing to stabilize the gear in straight sections, and accelerate without having to press any lever.
To use this scooter as if we were professional two-wheelers, it took us a time basically equal to zero. And whoever speaks to you has never been on a scooter before. We have no particular advice to give you. We do not even feel like telling you to start with speed 1 which blocks the engine at 6 km / h, probably because this is the most difficult driving mode, which requires the rider to be more balanced. With speed 2 or 3, which allows you to reach 20 or 25 km / h per hour, you should be sent as if nothing had happened, and you will learn to master the velocipede in a few moments. What perhaps required a minimum of extra attention is the braking department: a minimum pressure is enough to make the scooter suddenly decelerate. We actually suffered some initial difficulties in the downhill sections, where it is also necessary to work with the brake to avoid taking too much speed: in these situations, you have to be careful to push the braking lever.
Yes, because in any case the small wheels and the absence of shock absorbers, will not make the ride always linear and comfortable. Obviously, any potholes present will all be felt, and you will have to keep your hands firmly behind the wheel. There will certainly be small jolts and, in general, vibrations due to the conditions of the road pavement.
These are “drawbacks” that are naturally linked to the type of vehicle, which certainly can never be as robust as other types of vehicles, but nothing that makes you pass the pleasure of using it at every slightest possibility.
We believe that the scooter has a very specific area of use and that it must be evaluated within this. It is a means of making short trips, which during our tests avoided us having to take the car to reach a friend a few kilometers away, which allowed us to reach the nearest bakery to buy bread or simply to go there. gave a walk inside a pedestrian area, avoiding the trauma of traffic or, even worse, finding parking.
ROAD amazed us above all for the veracity of the data shown on the map. The speeds are always respected and we noticed that even with one battery notch (out of the four available) the engine managed to push us at a speed of 25 km / h. When the battery is flat, what is missing is the recovery, with a shot that is no longer exceptional, but the maximum speed reached always remains the same. Indeed, to be honest, in many straights, we have had the doubt that, although the maximum speed set is this, in reality, the scooter is able to go a little further.
The declared autonomy of 20 km also seemed true to us, even if the maximum we reached was 18 km; in this case, however, we do not hide the fact that we put him to the test, even in some rather long climbs. With a not indifferent slope, however, we were able to never put our foot on the ground, and to maintain a maximum speed of 15 km, perhaps helping the scooter with some forward movement.
Scooter or electric bike?
It is absolutely not a possible comparison. And in fact, we don’t want to make comparisons, but to explain just the opposite: the characteristics of one and the other make them complementary, not alternative means.
A scooter, as already mentioned, is used for short distances (not too much given the 20 km of autonomy), and has the advantage of being more manageable, easier to use even for those who live in an apartment, easier to take to work, or on vacation in the trunk of the car. Of course, it does not offer stability in riding like a fat bike, but it is really immediate to use. On the other hand, the electric bike is an already more cumbersome vehicle, which also allows you to take a walk in traditional pedal mode, which offers greater comfort on the road, but which you could hardly get on in an apartment.
Ultimately, for those who were wondering if one or the other is better, it is not possible to give a general answer, valid for everyone. They are different means that we reiterate being able to live together in the everyday life of a perfect rider.
Pro
- Foldable and easy to carry …
- Autonomy on paper (almost) respected
- Keeps the maximum speed even with low battery
- Front and rear light
- The simple but effective on-board computer
- Inconvenient acceleration lever
AGAINST
- Significant weight
- Enemies are potholes and slightly bumpy roads
- Cruise control is missing
Conclusions
Single’s ROAD is not aesthetically original, and it wants to be. It encounters structural limitations that are typical of this class of vehicles, such as small wheels that do nothing to hide vibrations on the road. However, the scooter gave us a lot of fun, and on many occasions it allowed us to leave the car parked in the courtyard. Extremely easy to drive, but above all reliable, both as regards the declared speed and for the total range of travel.
