Razor or Micro?
Written: Aug 30 '00 (Updated Sep 11 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Is almost exactly like the Razor, accommodates adults with ease, Simple to operate
Cons: $88 or $99
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| forkids's Full Review: Micro Fold-Up Scooter |
So what’s the difference between a Razor Scooter and a Micro Scooter? This is the hottest thing going for the year 2000, at least on the East Coast. Everybody is talking about scooters. But the market is flooding with copycats and when one sells out people naturally reach for the one that’s left.
We have two scooters at the moment and are contemplating a third only because we like riding as a family. This is a toy for all ages. You will see teens, college kids, professionals, newlyweds, and even grandparents cruising around on these things.
The Micro Scooter is the one my husband and I reach for because it’s more comfortable for our bigger feet and stride. It is larger than the Razor, four inches longer and about a 1/8th of an inch wider. All things considered though, they look almost exactly alike. You could say that the Razor’s larger version, JD Bug, would be the spitting image of the Micro or the other way around as the Razor (JD Bug) came first.
Micro is made by Huffy Bicycle a troubled company affected by China’s cost structuring on their own bicycles. Only two months ago Huffy’s stock was trading at 3, today’s closing price is 10 7/8. The company attributes this upswing in investor confidence to the success of the Micro Scooter and this alone. Though their line of X-Games bicycles are selling well it’s the scooter that’s making the biggest impact. Huffy jumped on the scooter craze early and anticipated its success. Analysts still see the scooter craze in its infancy so there will be more and more copycats added to the mix but Huffy is poised to remain in stock and ahead of some of their competitors.
Wal-Mart has one of the more attractive prices for Micro at $88.88 vs. the competition's $99. It’s a great deal if you can find it in stock. Toysrus.com also carries this brand along with many other retailers.
The product features that make the Micro Fold-Up Scooter an instant hit:
• 100% 6061 Lightweight Aluminum frame – the aluminum makes it sleek looking and incredibly light, a mere 6.5 pounds. Razor claims to be 6 pounds.
• 100 mm Precision Sealed Bearings – This adds to the wheel ride, according to our salesman. He claims the Razor has better bearings and who am I to argue with him. The ride feels the same on either scooter and both sets of wheels look relatively similar, not exact. No ride problem with either, though the feel is one of a rollerblade or a skateboard, not as cushy as a bike tire tread.
• Adjustable Steer Tube Height - This is one of the cool features. Most anyone can ride these because you can change the handlebar height. My 4 ½-year-old can operate this lever very simply at his height and so can my husband at 6’1”. The handlebar height goes from 23” to 36” in height with the flip of the tube lock.
• Weighs 6.5 pounds- That was the first thing I noticed, after the size. It is so lightweight and folds up into an easy-to-carry size. You could stow it in a suitcase or throw it into the trunk without any trouble. The Micro comes with a carrying case and the Razor’s is sold separately.
• Supports up to 250 lbs. Razor only claims to hold up to 220 lbs. of weight. So adults should not fear that the scooter is going to snap in half. Remember this is aircraft-grade aluminum.
• Like the Razor it folds up neatly and can be carried into a store or stowed in a trunk The length is longer than the Razor but similar to the JD Bug (another Razor brand).
• Non-slip pad Like the Razor there is a long oval non-slip pad that keeps your feet from slipping on the aluminum. Micro’s is bigger and covers more of the foot base but remember it is longer to start with.
• Wheel Cover over the brake wheel This feature is the same as the Razor and stops with a push down of your rear foot. This rear cover is the brake that stops the back wheel and the scooter overall. Your are low to the ground so you can jump off or put your foot down at anytime.
Cost Most of these scooters are $99, but Micro can be found at Wal-Mart for $88.
Colors We have the clear wheels and the black rubberized, foamy, cushy handgrips. The box indicates that there are green and red wheels available but I’ve never seen them. Razor comes in about five different color combinations and the wheels match the grips.
I balked at the initial prices of these things but find comfort in the fact that they get us outside as a family and getting a lot of exercise to boot. I would much rather invest the money in one of these that we can all enjoy vs. a video game system or the like.
So which one is better? It really is a toss up. They are both good and have almost identical features. Just know that Micro is bigger than Razor and might be more suitable for the older kids 7+. Razor is recommended for those 5+. My son started riding a two-wheeler without training wheels at 3 ½ and has exceptional balance. Some kids may not be ready for a Micro Scooter, so be sure and test-drive one in the store before purchase and buy a helmet if you don’t already have one. They can pick up speed, like a skateboard and can flip if you hit a large lip in the sidewalk remember these are not bike tires.
Parents, caregivers, older siblings…give this a try alongside the little kids and you’ll see why they are a hot commodity. Every store we’ve been in is either waiting for their next 1,000 -piece shipment or got their 1,000 pieces yesterday and will be sold out within the day.
You can do plenty of tricks with this model but we tend to stay grounded, for now.
Safety Note:
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has this to say:
recommends scooter riders wear the same safety gear suggested for inline skaters: a helmet, wrist guards and knee and elbow pads. Such equipment can cost less than $35.
Save on an emergency room visit and follow their advice.
Recommended:
Yes
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