Management is all I need in an electric scooter. OK, that is a lie, I additionally need first rate vary, good energy, and an affordable weight. With the ability to management velocity, regenerative braking, and the way flip indicators work—in the event that they’re even obtainable—just isn’t one thing you discover on most escooters. And even in case you can entry these issues, tweaking them is not all the time intuitive. The brand new Apollo Go modifications all of that.
I’ve examined Apollo scooters for a couple of years now, and the Apollo Go is my favourite but. It is speedy, is not terribly heavy, has an honest folding system, contains perks like flip indicators and a bell, and delivers satisfying vary. Better of all, I’ve straightforward management over some core options by means 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 package for dealing with primary repairs your self.
It is price noting that whereas Apollo does have service areas throughout the nation, it just 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 all the time 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 prime velocity for security causes. Lo and behold, you possibly can lastly customise the velocity modes on the Apollo Go. Most escooters have three velocity modes you possibly can cycle by means of, however these speeds are normally mounted. Apollo allows you to set a most well-liked velocity for Eco, Consolation, and Sport. Now I not should take care of the velocity modes which can be too quick or too sluggish. I’ve set the Consolation mode right here to fifteen miles per hour, the velocity restrict for New York Metropolis, and I can nonetheless swap to Sport mode if I want a lift. (It has a prime velocity of 28 mph, however you possibly can decrease this if you would like.)
The app additionally allows you to select how a lot regenerative braking you need—this function recharges the battery barely each time you utilize 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 velocity 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 indicators ought to flip off mechanically after seven blinks or manually by urgent the sign button once more. The very best half is I haven’t got to trouble with the app after I’ve executed all this preliminary setup.
Go Go Go
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
The aluminum Apollo Go weighs 46 kilos, which is manageable for me, however may be a smidge too heavy for some individuals. 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 commonly, I might recommend getting a lighter model.
