Electric Scooter Dictionary

AMPS (Ah): the current electricity. Used in connection with the battery system.

AXLE: the center of the wheel holding it to the forks or frame of a scooter.

BALL BEARINGS: small balls in the center of the wheel around the axle, which allows the hub to spin freely without grinding or wearing.

BODY: The secondary structure of the scooter. The body can be made of steel, aluminum, plastic or any combination of those materials and is usually attached to the frame. Some scooter bodies may only consist of a deck while others may include fenders. Plastic bodies are more susceptible to cracking and breaking.

BRAKES:

• Band brakes: involves a band that is tightened around a shaft to stop the rotation of the wheel.
• Caliper brakes: two moving brake shoes that come together toward the rimand stop the rotation of the wheel.
• Disc barkes: A steel brakesystem, where friction is caused by a set of pads pressing against a rotating steel disk.
• Drum brakes: Friction is caused by a set of pads pressing against the inner surface of a rotating drum fixed around the axle of the wheel.

DECK: The standing or foot part of the body of the scooter, usually attached directly to the frame for rigidity. It can be constructed of steel, aluminum or plastic, and has non-slip gripping material glued on.

DRIVE TRAIN: Type of system used to turn the rear wheel, either belt or chain drives are used on e scooters.

FORKS: The forks are the fork-like bars that hold the front wheel, and are steered by the handle bars. Forks come in solid and suspended versions.

FRAME: the main structure of the scooter, mostly made of steel.

HUB: The inner part of the wheel that holds the spokes, bearings and axle.

IGNITION: The mechanism used to start the engine.

RANGE: The range of the electric scooter will greatly depend on the following factors:

• rider weight
• elevation and evenness of the road
• battery charge

RIM: The outside part of a wheel that holds the tire.

SPEED: The speed of the electric scooter will greatly depend on the following factors:

• rider weight
• elevation and evenness of the road
• battery charge

SPOKES: The part of the wheel that holds the rim onto the hub. There are several makes of spokes:

• thin steel wire
• thick steel
• aluminum
• plastic

SUSPENSION: A system that allows the wheels to move up and down, thereby absorbing impacts and bumps and improving traction, since the tires don't bounce. The suspension travel is usually listed as millimeters.

THROTTLE: Electric scooters use a hand or thumb throttle to control the level of torque to be given off by the motor.

TIRE: The rubber part of a wheel attached to the rim varying in size (width and heigth). There are several tire types:

• POLYURETHANE TIRE: A very durable rubber/plastic compound used to make wheels for a variety of products including scooters.
• PNEUMATIC TIRE: The conventional air filled tire.
• NO-FLAT TIRE: The tire is filled by rubber (rubber foam), not air, therefore it cannot puncture.

TORQUE: the rotational forceexerted at the crankshaft by the motor.

TRANSMISSION: The system responsible for transfering the power of the motor to the drive train, which transfers power to the wheel.

VOLTS (v): the power or force of electricity available.

WATTS (w): the power output of an electric engine (746 watts is equal to 1 horsepower)

WHEEL: The entire part that includes the axle, hub, spokes and rim. Wheels come with wire spokes, solid spoke or a spoke less solid design. Wheels come in steel, aluminum and reinforced plastic. Smaller scooters may have solid polyurethane wheels with sealed bearings and an axle. This type of wheel is more common on push scooters.