7 ms·

Scooter has an even smaller wheel and is more unstable during high speed. Also bike is more muscle-efficient.

avasylev 4y ago
Overall it's questionable on muscle efficiency. The main problem with scooters/skateboards is that beginners don't learn using second leg (it feels unnatural and takes practice). Thus getting tired with pushing with one leg. Another thing at this form factor you can get electric skateboard, muscles are concern.
- TulliusCicero 4y ago
  I would switch between legs while using my push scooter, still not nearly as good as a bike.
- taneq 4y ago
  Muscle usage between a bike and a scooter isn’t even close. The leg you’re pushing with isn’t the problem, it’s that you’re supporting your whole body weight on one bent leg while you’re pushing, and effectively doing a one legged half-squat every time you transition from coasting to pushing and back. Add in the additional rolling resistance from the tiny wheels and the lack of mechanical advantage from gearing and overall you have something that’s only modestly better than jogging except when you’re costing down hill.
  - avasylev 4y ago
    My experience is only with using skateboards for long distance, though similar should apply for scooters, but haven't tried. If I haven't rode both bicycle and skateboards for distance for a while, I'd have exact same thought as you. From my experience of casual rider, it's opposite - I can easily go for hours on skateboard, while on bicycle I get tired and uncomfortable. I've ridden same bike paths 10-20 miles on bicycle and skateboard, and for me skateboard is easier. My guess because on skateboard I can change body position and muscles involved, can switch legs, push or pump. While on bicycle I'm locked in the same position, using same muscles all the time. Jogging is way way harder than skate, I can barely jog 5 miles, but on skateboard 5 miles i won't even sweat. There're various types of longboards and indeed some are quite high and you end up doing one legged squat. There many low to the ground models designed for distance specifically, that are much more comfortable to push, no squatting. Check https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbah6FrJuUv/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbah6FrJuUv/ or https://www.gbomblongboards.com/longboard-skateboard-gallery https://www.gbomblongboards.com/longboard-skateboard-gallery Cycling is more efficient that skateboarding, but surprisingly by a small factor. 24h record for cycling is ~900km, while on skateboard ~500km.
throwaway81523 4y ago
The logical end of the scooter sequence is probably roller blades, and I do know people who use those to get around and consider them practical.
- djrogers 4y ago
  No hills where they live?

Overall it's questionable on muscle efficiency. The main problem with scooters/skateboards is that beginners don't learn using second leg (it feels unnatural and takes practice). Thus getting tired with pushing with one leg. Another thing at this form factor you can get electric skateboard, muscles are concern.

TulliusCicero 4y ago
I would switch between legs while using my push scooter, still not nearly as good as a bike.
taneq 4y ago
Muscle usage between a bike and a scooter isn’t even close. The leg you’re pushing with isn’t the problem, it’s that you’re supporting your whole body weight on one bent leg while you’re pushing, and effectively doing a one legged half-squat every time you transition from coasting to pushing and back. Add in the additional rolling resistance from the tiny wheels and the lack of mechanical advantage from gearing and overall you have something that’s only modestly better than jogging except when you’re costing down hill.
- avasylev 4y ago
  My experience is only with using skateboards for long distance, though similar should apply for scooters, but haven't tried. If I haven't rode both bicycle and skateboards for distance for a while, I'd have exact same thought as you. From my experience of casual rider, it's opposite - I can easily go for hours on skateboard, while on bicycle I get tired and uncomfortable. I've ridden same bike paths 10-20 miles on bicycle and skateboard, and for me skateboard is easier. My guess because on skateboard I can change body position and muscles involved, can switch legs, push or pump. While on bicycle I'm locked in the same position, using same muscles all the time. Jogging is way way harder than skate, I can barely jog 5 miles, but on skateboard 5 miles i won't even sweat. There're various types of longboards and indeed some are quite high and you end up doing one legged squat. There many low to the ground models designed for distance specifically, that are much more comfortable to push, no squatting. Check https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbah6FrJuUv/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbah6FrJuUv/ or https://www.gbomblongboards.com/longboard-skateboard-gallery https://www.gbomblongboards.com/longboard-skateboard-gallery Cycling is more efficient that skateboarding, but surprisingly by a small factor. 24h record for cycling is ~900km, while on skateboard ~500km.

throwaway81523 4y ago

The logical end of the scooter sequence is probably roller blades, and I do know people who use those to get around and consider them practical.

djrogers 4y ago
No hills where they live?