I ordered this to use as a mobility aid because I have some health issues and my legs are weak. It arrived yesterday and we assembled it. It is now charged up and I took it for a lunch time test ride.
My big question before ordering, was whether this would truly be adult-sized or is it really kid sized? The pictures don't give you any scale and this category is full of kid things. Well, now that I have it I can report that it is adult sized. I am nearly six feet tall and my legs are long for my height, and I did not max the seat height - there's room for someone taller to go higher if they need to. The handlebars are at a comfortable adult height and I don't feel like I am crouching when I ride it. It's big!
It works really well! I love the big flat deck for my feet. If I put my good foot up first, I can push that foot down to brace myself and get the weak foot up, fairly easily. I can also not use power and not put my feet up at all, and just scuffle along at a walking pace. No pedals to bark my shins. Seat a comfortable height whether I choose to keep my feet on the ground, or put them on the deck.
We cut a piece of PVC tubing and used cable ties to attach it to the frame, next to the straight section below the handlebars. I can put my cane in this tube to carry it, and it doesn't stick out too far or interfere with anything. I didn't even have to collapse it!
The brake is pretty sad. It's a drum brake, rear wheel only, and it hardly stops me at all. I'm not planning to go very fast, though, so it probably won't matter much. I suppose I could modify it to put a real brake on the front wheel, if it turns out to matter.
I wonder if they'll let me ride it indoors at the mall? Or will they tell me it's not an official ADA item and therefore not allowed? It's kinda big and awkward for loading into the car, so I may never test this. It's going to be great for getting me around my city neighborhood, and that's what I really wanted it for.
The documentation says the battery is good for 40 minutes of continuous use. I'm thinking that my use will be more like a series of short bursts, and it should be good for hours of that. And since it also works without power, to just scuffle along at a walk, and it's not like I'm planning to take it miles away, it won't be a crisis if it runs down while I am out. But I hope it won't.
I am pleased with it so far. I hope to ride it for years to come. Since it looks like the new ones are already disappearing from the market, I would not be surprised if it ends up orphaned. If spare parts and replacement batteries disappear, I am perfectly prepared to put on my "I void warranties" t-shirt and fiddle with that stuff. :) But if you're reading this review and on the fence, I suggest you get one now while you can.
Update, Oct 2016: I have been riding this for over a year now. I use it almost every day that weather permits, and I still love it.
I have had a little trouble with the bolts that hold the seat springs; they get loose and have to be tightened. No big deal and the loose seat doesn't move when you are sitting on it - you only notice it if you try to lift the bike by the seat, like to scoot it sideways in a parking spot.
The batteries have declined very noticeably as the fall has come on, here. I am not going to put new ones in at the start of the winter, because I will ride it a lot less once winter sets in, and there's no sense having them degraded by neglect and cold. I plan to buy new ones in spring and start the season with good fresh ones.
I have been doing some searching and the replacement batteries are widely available and inexpensive. There are possible upgraded batteries out there, too, so I will do some research this winter to decide what is best for me. I also discovered that many other parts are available and there are several vendors. This scooter is surprisingly well supported by the aftermarket!
Update, May 2018
I am still very happy with this scooter and still ride it all the time. This year I even started taking it out in winter. It's not happy on snow and ice but once the sidewalks are shoveled it does OK. The kickstand has rusted a little from the salt but the rest of the bike is holding up well despite the abuse.
In spring of 2017 I replaced the batteries. I upgraded to slightly larger ones, and the cost was about $80. I stayed with the conventional sealed AGM batteries this time, but next time I might splurge on the lithium iron since they are lighter. I am not bothered by having to replace the batteries; it is what I would expect.
I am continuing to customize and upgrade it. I got a fancy new seat which is wider and has a backrest, and I bought a caliper brake kit. I put the brake on the rear wheel since I couldn't find an easy way to mount it on the front. Now I have brakes I can operate with either hand, even if they are both rear brakes!
I am pleased to see that it continues to be available. I am always looking at the new electric scooters and sometime I see something cool and consider getting it. Then I think about whether, if I am going to spend the money, I wouldn't rather just get a second Ecosmart Metro, just as a spare, and realize I don't want that new toy quite as much after all. I want this one.
Update, March 2019
As my health continues to decline, I decided I needed three wheels, and last summer I replaced my Razor with a Liberty Trike. My husband has been riding the Razor sometimes, while I ride the trike. The Razor is faster than the trike, and two wheels handle better than three on bumps and off-camber surfaces. The trike has vastly better brakes, several times the range, reverse, a nice instrument panel with great info, and better parts availability and manufacturer support - but a replacement battery for the trike costs more than a whole new Razor! It's in a whole different price bracket. All in all I feel I got good service out of the Razor and it doesn't owe me anything. It was a great value.
If my husband continues to ride the Razor, I considered upgrading it to use the same batteries, brakes, and motor, as the ones in the trike. I priced it out and it would cost over $1000, so I didn't do it. I might replace the Razor's batteries again, though, with the same $80 AGMs as before. Two year old Razor AGM batteries are noticeably weaker than new ones. It will be interesting to see how the lithium batteries in the trike hold up.
Update 2022:
Last year, when my third or fourth set of AGM batteries went south, I experimented with putting a lithium battery in the scooter. I was successful in getting a 36v lithium battery to run the motor, work with the existing controls, and charge. No real issues there, just wiring harness changes. But in the end I was not happy with the mod. The problem was not the Razor, it was the battery. The battery I bought, powered itself off after five minutes parked, and the switch to turn it back on was under the Razor’s deck. I ran out of steam, trying to move that switch to a place where I could turn it on without taking the deck off. I advise anyone else attempting this mod, to pay attention to whatever switches are on their chosen battery. I do think it’s an upgrade worth doing. The lithium battery gives vastly more range and lasts longer. If you get four years out of a $300 battery, you save over buying four $80 sets of AGM batteries, and you get more range the whole time. Vimes Boot Theory in action!
As for me, my Razor was ultimately cannibalized for a series of Frankenbikes my friend was building for his kids. Last I heard the motor was still going strong. But this is my last review update.
| Brand | Razor |
|---|---|
| Color | White |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Special Feature | Seat |
| Weight Limit | 120 Pounds |
| Number of Wheels | 2 |
| Model Name | Razor EcoSmart Metro Electric Scooter for Adults - 500W High Torque Motor, Up to 18MPH, 16" Air Filled Tires, Rear Wheel Drive, Height Adjustable Seat and Detachable Luggage Basket, Bamboo Deck |
| Wheel Material | wheel |
| Frame Material | Carbon Steel |
| Item Weight | 29.6 Kilograms |
| Handlebar Type | Adjustable |
| Wheel Size | 16 Inches |
| Wheel Type | Solid,Pneumatic |
| Suspension Type | Dual Suspension |
| Brake Style | Rear Braking |
| Charging Time | 12 Hours |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 53 x 24.5 x 22 inches |
| Package Weight | 39.01 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.51 x 5.51 x 7.48 inches |
| Brand Name | Razor |
| Warranty Description | 90 Day Manufacturer |
| Material | Alloy Steel |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Razor USA, LLC |
| Part Number | 13114501 |
| Style | Metro Chain-driven Motor |
| Included Components | Razor EcoSmart Metro Electric Scooter for Adults - 500W High Torque Motor, Up to 18MPH, 16" Air Filled Tires, Rear Wheel Drive, Height Adjustable Seat and Detachable Luggage Basket, Bamboo Deck |
| Size | 50 X 13.25 X 23-Inch |
| Sport Type | Cycling |
