Nice weather is coming, and with it, a greater desire to walk, do physical activities and spend as much time outside as possible. Rollerblades, bicycles, and scooters entice both children and adults. Years ago, another “means of transportation” emerged that attracted many – the hoverboard. It is a gyro scooter with which you get a charger and charge it the same way as a mobile phone.
Hoverboards are relatively expensive for something that can be defined as a high-tech toy. Since a faulty hoverboard can cause injury or property damage due to a faulty battery or engine, we assume that it is best not to buy models that you can buy on AliExpress for $ 20.
What is a hoverboard?
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The official name of this device is ‘self-balancing scooter’. If you lean forward, the gyroscope in the hoverboard will conclude that you want to go faster and will speed up the movement. The system is not complicated, although it takes a little more time to master than with some other alternative means of transport such as rollerblading or skateboarding. There are a lot of criteria you should pay attention to when choosing a gyroscope and which are directly responsible for its functionality. Not all of them need to find out from the seller, you will have to look for many parameters on the manufacturer’s website, in service manuals, or on online forums that specialize in the operation and maintenance of devices of this class. Still, there are a few things you should pay attention to when buying a hoverboard.
1. The age of the child
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If you are buying a hoverboard for your child, what you need to take into account is the weight and build of the child. There is certainly a difference between a seven-year-old girl and a teenager. The smallest ones will most easily handle smaller models so that children will be able to carry over some obstacle without asking for help from adults. Slightly older children than e.g. 8-10 years old are already looking for models with bigger wheels that can withstand uneven terrain. While some teenagers are often not interested in smaller 6-inch models, they want something more, they want the possibility of off-road driving and hoverboards with big wheels.
2. Speed
Another equally important parameter is the speed that the scooter can develop. Some models can accelerate up to 35 km / h, but 15-20 km / h will be enough for ordinary walks.
3. Battery life
Nobody wants to drain his battery and carry this device, which, we must admit, is not very light. Calculate the battery volume and choose the appropriate option for yourself, given the distance of your trip and access to charging. Simple gyro scooters can travel up to 20 km on a single charge, which is enough for the whole day.
4. Pay attention to the quality of workmanship
Hoverboards are mostly made of plastic. Do not choose those made of cheap, easily breakable plastic, which could be damaged even at the slightest fall, and believe me – there will be falls.
5. Wheel diameter
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As already mentioned, the larger the wheel diameter – the higher the maximum speed that the device develops. On the other hand, large 18-20-inch wheels, characteristic of large high-speed subwoofers and large segway models, make such devices bulky and heavy, which negates the charm of handling such a device in urban environments. The most popular gyro scooters are: Mini-gyro scooters equipped with 3-4-inch compact wheels. Great for kids and teens; Gyro scooter of average group size, wheel diameter is 4 to 8 inches. Such wheels allow not only driving on an ideal asphalt surface but also overcoming small obstacles; Gyro scooter large size, equipped with wheels about 7-9 inches – a great option for large and overall riders. They easily cope with obstacles and climb even strong biases. The back of the medal – large own dimensions and weight of the device, which impose certain restrictions when working in urban areas. On eride360.com you will learn more about good-quality hoverboards.
Who is the hoverboard for?
A hoverboard is a great way of recreation and is intended for people weighing 20-130 kilograms. However, if you think of a hoverboard as a means of transportation, its range could be a problem.
Is it hard to learn to ride a hoverboard?
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We can’t say it’s hard, but we also have to mention that you need certain skills, and those are balance and precision. It will take you 10 minutes to strike a balance. Once you establish balance and start driving, you will need some time to learn to maneuver smoothly. The more complicated the terrain, the more difficult the adaptation will be.
If you plan to ride a hoverboard often, it would not be bad to inquire about the availability of spare parts when buying, because there will come a time when you will have to replace the battery, and the tires may puncture. Before buying a hoverboard, check how easy it is to purchase and replace parts and how much they cost.
Other features
Many hoverboards have LED lights which makes them especially interesting to ride in the evening. There are also those that have speakers and Bluetooth so you can connect to your phone and enjoy the ride and music. So, if you are riding with friends, you can also make a real little music party.
Final thoughts
Although we know that price is one of the key things when buying something, when buying a hoverboard safety must come first. A quality hoverboard is made of better components, it is stronger, more stable, more durable, and therefore safer to ride. You are also less likely to have problems with battery life. Take into account your preferences and capabilities, do not be lazy to compare features and choose the most suitable model for you. Try to find one whose price is not too low as it usually indicates questionable quality, but you should also know that the most expensive one does not mean that it is necessarily the best.
