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It’s no surprise that electric scooters have become so popular. Any rider will say that their lifestyle completely changed when they bought an e-scooter because they offer convenience and are cheaper to run and maintain.
Cities around Europe are embracing the newest form of urban mobility, and rental options exist for people to access the scooters, wherever they are.
As the world continues to recognise the benefits of electric scooters, the UK will likely follow suit and legalise the use of privately owned scooters on public roads. With all of their benefits, electric scooters are a wise investment. With that in mind, you should know how to care for your scooter – especially when it comes to the frame. In this post, we’ll reveal how to maintain your frame and keep your scooter from breaking.
The Importance of Your Scooter Frame
While they’re advanced means of transportation, electric scooters have a relatively simple structure. A few simple components make a cost-efficient and environmentally vehicle that is cheaper to run and easier to maintain than the average car.
The Battery
Much like the heart keeps the human body alive, the battery is equally essential for your scooter. If there’s no battery power, then the scooter is useless, and many manufacturers ensure that their models use the most advanced batteries to provide users with a longer run time.
Motor
While batteries supply the power needed to run an electric scooter, the motor is responsible for its performance. The speed at which you’ll travel and how well your scooter navigates hills are defined by the superiority of your motor.
Wheels
The wheels of your scooter don’t need explaining. We all know that your scooter won’t go anywhere without them!
Handlebars
In their simplest form, handlebars are for steering a scooter. But electric scooters have vital mechanisms such as brakes, accelerators and gear control.
Of course, there are other small components, such as the electronics and the deck. But the critical thing to remember is that the frame holds all of those parts together.
Frames Are The Foundation Of Any Scooter
Without a frame, you’d have significant problems when it comes to operating your scooter. Let’s take a look at why the structure is so essential.
- The frame supports each component of your scooter. Your deck rests on it, which ensures your stability while riding. The handlebars steer your scooter, and the frame also holds any electrical components.
- The frame supports your body weight and ensures the scooter can function under pressure.
- In the event of a crash or accident, the strength of your frame will either protect your scooter or cause immeasurable damage.
Protecting Your Scooter Frame
There are many ways to protect your electric scooter, including performing regular maintenance and protecting the components. However, perhaps the simplest method of reducing potential damage is by using common sense.
Avoid Crashes
Rule number one is as simple as it gets; avoid crashes. As your e-scooter frame is responsible for protecting the other components, it’s vital to prevent crash damage wherever possible. Common sense is essential here, and as long as you remember these tips when you’re riding, you’ll be more likely to avoid an accident.
Eyes on the road. Always.
Riding an electric scooter gives you a sense of freedom, and it’s only natural that you’ll want to enjoy the scenery surrounding you. But electricity enables most scooters to travel at high speeds, so you should be aware of your presence on the road.
Just as car drivers know that even a second of distraction can cause a severe accident, you should remain alert while using your scooter.
Because most scooters have minimal suspension features, a dip in the road might be too much for your suspension to handle. By taking it slow and ensuring you don’t get distracted, you’ll be able to minimise the risk of a crash.
Use the handlebars.
Handlebars are there for a reason, and it’s not just for steering. Every vehicle has them, including road bikes, the motorcycle and mechanical scooters. It’s easy to get too familiar with your e-scooter and think that removing one of your hands from the bars is fine, but you can easily have an accident.
Scooters have much smaller wheels than bikes, and riding through potholes or bumpy roads can cause a loss of control. You must keep both of your hands on the handlebars at all times. You might not notice it, but they’ll react and adapt immediately to pressure on the road.
Be careful in wet weather.
Wet weather is always a hazard, and you should be extra careful in adverse conditions. The general rule is to watch your speed and make sure your tyres are stable and secure. Performing maintenance regularly promotes road safety and will stop your wheels from sliding out of control.
Maintenance and Repairs
Electric scooters require less maintenance than cars, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care for them properly. As with many materials, rust on your scooter can seem like a minor issue, but failing to take care of it will result in future costly repairs.
Maintaining your e-scooter prevents it from needing to be replaced and ensures you retain your warranty. You don’t have to go out of your way to protect your frame; it just takes a few small steps.
Prevent frame scratches.
Scratches to your frame don’t just look unsightly; they’re also known to retain water. When moisture seeps into a scratch, it promotes rusting, which causes long turn issues with your scooter.
In some cases, scratches will be impossible to avoid – but there is a way to remove them. If your scooter is made of aluminium, you can use a specialist spray to remove them gently. Some people swear by the toothpaste technique, which is quite simple.
If you have some whitening toothpaste available, place some on a cloth or strong kitchen towels and gently brush over the scratch. Wipe the surface with another paper towel, and the scratch should be gone.
Clean your scooter regularly.
Cleaning an e-scooter requires more attention than a regular model because you’ll need to watch the electrics. You don’t need any specialist solutions, although you can use them if you prefer.
A bucket of clean water and a separate bucket of soapy water is perfectly sufficient for your scooter frame. It’s similar to the average bike frame, so if you have a preferred way to clean your bike, you can use that but still take extra precautions with the electrics.
Gently wash the exterior elements of your scooter with soapy water. A standard cloth is fine, but make sure it’s damp instead of wet. Water could easily seep into the electronic components, which will cause more damage in the long run.
Both the back and front wheel will carry the most dirt, so it’s important to clean them with a separate cloth.
Lubricate the joints.
Lubricating the joints of your scooter will keep everything in working order and prevent a potential crash. Poor joints can wreak havoc with your scooter, so taking the time to do this will protect it from slipping off of the road and prevent significant damage to the frame.
It’s best to use a specialist lubricant such as WD-40 rather than grease and make sure you pay special attention to the joints during the colder seasons.
Avoid the winter season.
This probably isn’t the most practical tip, but it’s the best way to protect the frame of your scooter if needed. However, if you commute, then you’re probably looking for a more convenient solution.
Naturally, it’s best to store your scooter over winter in a shed or garage to shield it from the weather, but you can also purchase a protective cover, which is ideal for outdoor storage.
Never ride with the cover on because it could result in an accident, and most protective covers wouldn’t allow you to anyway.
Check with the manufacturer.
All electric scooters come with a manual, so you can access advice on how to care for and maintain your scooter. Following the instructions will ensure you know how to care for your scooter frame and what to do in extreme temperatures.
Final Thoughts
The e-scooter is becoming a more compact, convenient alternative to electric bikes, and people in urban communities recognise that a scooter might offer them more space, flexibility and freedom.
If you’re thinking of buying an electric scooter, it’s important to recognise that it’s an investment. With budget models coming in at around £100 and high-powered premium scooters costing up to £1000, knowing how to care for your scooter will ensure you enjoy it for a long time.
For the most part, electric scooters will be durable, and the most significant risk you’ll pose to the frame is when it hits the ground. By ensuring you ride safely and lock your scooter away to protect it from thieves, you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come.
It’s expensive to replace a scooter, but small steps will make a significant difference in preserving its lifespan. If you’d like to receive the latest news on the electric scooters and details about how to choose the right one for your needs, and what you should do to repair your scooter, then don’t forget to follow our blog.
Author:
Nely Hayes
BIO:
Nely is an adrenaline junkie and one of her life goals is to sky dive, but until that day she gets her kicks from testing fast electric scooters. Part time scooter fanatic & part time SEO analyst. Nely’s favourite scooter is the Dualtron X.
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