Management is all I would like in an electric scooter. OK, that is a lie, I additionally need first rate vary, good energy, and an inexpensive weight. Having the ability to management pace, regenerative braking, and the way flip alerts work—in the event that they’re even out there—shouldn’t be one thing you discover on most escooters. And even should you can entry these issues, tweaking them is not at all times intuitive. The brand new Apollo Go adjustments all of that.
I’ve examined Apollo scooters for just a few years now, and the Apollo Go is my favourite but. It is speedy, is not terribly heavy, has a good folding system, contains perks like flip alerts and a bell, and delivers satisfying vary. Better of all, I’ve straightforward management over some core options by way of the companion app.
Good Management
The sleek-looking Apollo Go has a reasonably easy setup course of as soon as you are taking it out of the field. Simply add some screws to affix the handlebar to the scooter’s stem and also you’re good to go. Within the field, you get a pleasant instrument equipment for dealing with primary repairs your self.
It is price noting that whereas Apollo does have service areas throughout the nation, it lately shut down its New York Metropolis service middle, citing “the present regulatory setting.” There’s nonetheless a third-party service associate you possibly can take your scooter to in Manhattan, however you possibly can check this map to see if there is a location close to you. It is at all times good to ensure there’s some form of ebike or escooter servicing store in your space earlier than shopping for one.
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Connecting to the app is a handy guide a rough affair, and also you do want to make use of the app to unlock the scooter’s high pace for security causes. Lo and behold, you possibly can lastly customise the pace modes on the Apollo Go. Most escooters have three pace modes you possibly can cycle by way of, however these speeds are often mounted. Apollo enables you to set a most well-liked pace for Eco, Consolation, and Sport. Now I not must take care of the pace modes which are too quick or too gradual. I’ve set the Consolation mode right here to fifteen miles per hour, the pace restrict for New York Metropolis, and I can nonetheless change to Sport mode if I would like a lift. (It has a high pace of 28 mph, however you possibly can decrease this if you would like.)
The app additionally enables you to select how a lot regenerative braking you need—this characteristic recharges the battery barely each time you employ the regen brake—in addition to the acceleration response to extend the torque. I maxed out each of those. You’ll be able to select a max pace for the Go, management how lengthy it takes for Cruise Management to kick in (so you do not have to maintain holding down on the throttle), and even whether or not the flip alerts ought to flip off routinely after seven blinks or manually by urgent the sign button once more. The perfect half is I haven’t got to trouble with the app after I’ve performed all this preliminary setup.
Go Go Go
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
The aluminum Apollo Go weighs 46 kilos, which is manageable for me, however is likely to be a smidge too heavy for some folks. The great factor is the stem is not too thick to comfortably carry, and there is a seize deal with on the finish of the deck for two-hand toting. If you’ll have to carry this scooter up and down greater than two flights of stairs frequently, I might counsel getting a lighter model.
