The ES1 Gen 2 comes with more power in the same straightforward what-you-see-is-what-you-get package
by Tudor Rus, onSegway upgraded the Ninebot ES1 electric scooter so the Gen 2 now packs a 300-watt e-motor instead of a 250-watt one. What’s more, Segway is adamant that the scooter (which is of the kickscooter ilk) passed a trial phase that included 6,000+ miles of road ride testing. The Ninebot ES1 is Segway’s entry-level scooter, the lightest it currently offers, and one of the lightest on the market. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at it.
Segway Ninebot ES1 - Design
Nothing to write home about but at the same time, nothing that would overcomplicate your life. You’ve got your matte dark gray paint job that’s become the unofficial uniform of electric scooters (together with matte black or white) and an overall sleek-looking, no-nonsense design.
The board is covered in grippy rubber and the handles are nice to grab thanks to the soft cushions they come wrapped in. The handlebars don’t fold and are instead simply mounted on the neck of the scooter and secured with four screws and a four-pin connector - the accelerator is on the right-hand side, while the e-brake sits the left, and they’re both easy to reach with your thumbs. There’s also a kickstand that keeps the e-scooter upright when you’re not using it.
Right in the middle of the handle bar sits a small LCD screen that’s pretty basic, but it does a good job in displaying all the info you need, such as speed, battery level, and drive mode. You can also fold the Ninebot ES1 by pressing on the lever at the bottom of the handlebar. Right above it you’ll find the charging port protected by a waterproof rubber cap.
| Weight | 30 lb (13.6 kg) |
|---|---|
| Max incline | 10 degrees |
| Required height | 3’ 11’’-6’ 6’’ (120-200 cm) |
| Size (folded) | 45 in x 17 in x 16 in (113 cm x 43 cm x 40 cm) |
| Size (unfolded) | 40 in x 17 in x 45 in (102 cm x 43 cm x 113 cm) |
| IP rating | IP54 |
Segway Ninebot ES1 - Comfort and Practicality
Segway says the Ninebot ES1 is designed for people aged 14 an above, but since it tips the scales at 30 pounds (13.6 kilos), we doubt everyone will be able to carry it around that easily. That said, you should know that it comes with solid rubber tires (i.e non-pneumatic) measuring 8 inches in the front and 7.5 inches in the rear. The decision of fitting the scooter with hard tires means that ride comfort could have been a lot better, although you won’t have to worry about flats or punches anymore. Luckily, Segway fitted the ES1 with a front suspension setup based on a spring-shock absorber duo which eases the shocks sent to your wrists, elbows, and shoulders to some extent. You’ll feel most bumps and cracks in your knees, so try to steer away from bad surfaces as much as you can.
Braking comes as a mechanical setup in the rear - you simply have to push down the rear fender with your foot to slow down - and an electric brake in the front. Safety is paramount on an e-scooter and the front LED light will make sure you can see ahead but also that others will see you coming. The ES1 Gen 1 didn’t have a rear brake light, but the Gen 2 now comes with one and we are glad Segway took the time to make this addition.
When folded, the Segway Ninebot ES1 measures 45 inches by 17 inches by 16 inches, enough to fit in the trunk of a compact car.
Segway Ninebot ES1 - Performance
Along with the more powerful, 300-watt motor, the Segway Ninebot ES1 Gen 2 scooter sees its top speed go up from 13 mph (21 km/h) to 15.5 mph (25 km/h). That’s enough to let you climb inclines of up to 10 degrees.
The 187-watt-hour battery pack offers a theoretical range of 15.5 miles (25 km), but we reckon the real-life rating should cap at around 10 miles (16 km). That’s still enough to handle the daily commute for most of us. What’s more, the battery needs just 3.5 hours to charge to full, so with a secondary charger kept at the office you’ll be ready for the trip back home in no time. Keep in mind, though, that the ground clearance is just about 73 millimeters (2.9 inches, roughly), so you might want to avoid jumping down curbs or stairs.
| Motor | 300 W nominal, 700 W max |
|---|---|
| Ride modes | speed limiter, Standard and Sport |
| Battery | 187 Wh |
| Max speed | 15.5 mph (25 km/h) |
| Range | 15.5 mi (25 km) |
| Payload | 55-220 lb (25-100 kg) |
Segway Ninebot ES1 - Price
At the time of writing, the Segway Ninebot ES1 Gen 2 scooter sold for $440 on Amazon, although it normally starts at $550.
Final Thoughts
We would have liked the ES1 Gen 2 better with air tires. Yeah, yeah, we know they can get punctured and whatnot, but they’re so much better at providing a comfy ride even when the scooter doesn’t offer a suspension setup of sorts. Otherwise, Segway’s entry-level scooter is an honest product that’s ideal for e-scooter rookies or kids/teenagers through its rather low top speed and kick-to-go feature. It should also come in handy for those forced to commute by changing a couple of means of transportation on their way to work, as the ES1 is easy to carry and store.