Kickbike/scooter buying guide

On this page you can compare the features of different scooter/scooter models. If after reading the page you still have doubts about the choice, we will be happy to help.

Kickbike, footbike, kickboard, scooter: what actually is it?

In contrast to the small wheeled scooters usually seen under children, a big-wheeled kickbike (scooter, footbike) resembles a normal bicycle in appearance and size - but without a saddle and pedals. There are different models, and they differ in terms of, for example, the size of the frame and the size and width of the tires.

In Finland, many people know the so-called adult scooters / kickboards as kickbikes, because Kickbike brand kickboards are designed in Finland and naturally they are also seen the most in our country. In Europe, there are also other companies that specialize specifically in these betting games. Such brands are, for example, the Czech Kostka, Yedoo. In the Czech Republic, kickboarding seems to be almost a national sport, but in other countries too, you see more and more kickboards, both in everyday life and on outdoor trails.

The scooter is suitable for everyday exercise, as a replacement for a commuting bike, as a training tool for an active athlete, for running a dog, or for use in sledging or pulling sports. The most enthusiastic can also participate in competitive activities, even up to the World Championship level. With or without the dog!

Why a kickboard?

• Excellent fitness
  When kicking, the whole body has to work and sweat easily rises to the surface. The movement is quite similar to cross-country skiing, and kicking is a good workout especially for the lower back, buttocks, thighs and calves. Compared to running, kicking is a much more joint-friendly exercise - and of course, the distance is clearly faster on the kickboard. Compared to cycling, kicking is generally a more holistic form of exercise for the body.
  Although kicking can easily raise your heart rate, you can of course also go at a more leisurely pace on a scooter if you wish - and walk up hills. When the new kicking muscles are found and strengthened, the going gets lighter. Kicking is also a technical sport and kicking becomes more effective with practice. Kickboarding is also often suitable for those who, for example, have back pain with a normal bicycle.
  
  
• More maintenance-free than a bicycle
  Although bicycles and scooters mostly use the same components, scooters lack the parts that most often require maintenance - the power transmission - i.e. pedals, chains, gears, etc. In all their simplicity, scooters are extremely maintenance-free and durable equipment.
  
  
• Easy and safe
  Many think riding a scooter is easier and safer to do than cycling. It's easy to get on the board and when riding, the center of gravity stays lower than on a bike. You can also quickly get off the board if necessary. Compared to scooters with small tires, kickbikes are significantly more stable to ride. As with cycling, you should always wear a helmet when riding! 
  
  
• Enables the dog to run briskly and/or engage in pulling sports
  With a kickboard, it is possible to provide the dog with brisk exercise, even when the dog cannot be walked outside freely. The dog can trot next to the kickboard, or if the dog has a tendency to pull, it can also be taught to run ahead while pulling the kickboard. In this case, the dog must have the right size pulling harness and a flexible pulling line on the bike, as well as a pulling adapter that prevents the line from getting tangled in the front tire. You can read more about the equipment from our bikejoring page .

What size user is the scooter suitable for?

Kickboards are not manufactured in different body sizes for users of different heights like bicycles, but practically all people of basic dimensions can ride the same models. Of course, there are also some size differences between the different models, so if the rider is very tall, it's not worth getting the smallest model for fitness/hobby use - even though you can comfortably cruise shorter distances with that one. And correspondingly, the biggest off-road models may seem unnecessarily massive to a very small person, especially if the scooter is not used for dog sports, where the stability brought by the size is usually desired.

It is often also possible to adjust the driving position to suit your own taste. For example, the height of the handlebar can be changed either with an adjustable handlebar bracket, by changing the position of the bracket or by turning the bracket or the handlebar. The parts are the same as in bicycles, so the selection of different spare parts is almost endless.

What conditions do you drive in?

When Choosing a suitable model, the most important thing is to think about the purpose of use and the driving environment. Are you driving alone or with a dog? Think in which environment and on what kind of platform you would most often drive. When driving in the city and on hard surfaces, the model equipped with narrow and smooth tires rolls easily. On the sand or off-road and in the winter slushy weather, the wider studded tires bring stability and grip. On the other hand, if your ride is often on very uneven routes, a fatbike model with front suspension or wide tires may be the right solution.

Asphalt should be avoided when walking with a dog, and the rides are usually on softer surfaces. In addition to tires, when Choosing a suitable model, you should also take into account brake power, among other things. If there is a big pulling canicross strongly in front, the powerful brakes will surely come in handy. In this case, you should look at models equipped with disc brakes.

How much braking power do you need?

Traditional rim brakes are often found in so-called city ​​and touring models, and in such use they are quite sufficient. Disc brakes are generally used in so-called in terrain models. Compared to rim brakes, disc brakes are more efficient, more reliable and maintenance-free. Especially if your purpose is to practice pulling sports with a dog, you probably want the braking efficiency of disc brakes (of course, models with rim brakes can also be sufficient with small pulling dogs).

Offroad or all terrain models with disc brakes:

• Kickbike Cross FIX
  - Mechanical disc brakes. An affordable all-terrain model that is enough for a very long time in the hobby. Wheels 27.5" / 20".
• Kickbike Cross MAX 20HD
  - Hydraulic disc brakes and suspension fork. A model traditionally preferred by dog ​​lovers. Wheels 27.5" / 20".
• Kickbike 29er
  - Hydraulic disc brakes and large diameter wheels 29"/26". Stable even at high speeds and easy to kick even without a dog. Popular choise among competitors.
• Kickbike Fat MAX
  - Hydraulic disc brakes and wide, so-called fat bike tires. Great also in winter and with several dogs. Wide running board. Wheels 26" / 20".
• Kostka Mushing Racer Max
  - Hydraulic disc brakes and grippy all-terrain tires. Comes with an antenna integrated into the frame and a bungee line. Wheels 27.5" / 24".
• Kostka Monster Max
  - Hydraulic disc brakes and wide so-called fat bike tires. Comes with a removable bike antenna integrated into the frame and a bungee line. Wheels 26" / 20".
• Kostka Trip Max Dog
  - Hydraulic disc brakes and big wheels. Designed espcecially for dog sports and racing. Wheels 29" / 27.5". Comes with a removable antenna integrated into the frame and a bungee line.
• Yedoo S2016 Disc
  - Mechanical disc brakes. Handy-sized model that can be easily transported inside the car. Wheels 20" / 16".
• Yedoo Trexx Disc
  - Mechanical disc brakes. All-rounder model for hobby. Wheels 26" / 20".

City ​​or sports models with rim brakes:

• Kickbike City G4
  - Upright driving position and front basket ready. For leisurely kicking and for example shopping trips.
• Kostka Tour Fun
  -A good choice for beginners/enthusiasts for the city and dirt roads.
• Kickbike Sport G4
  - The exerciser's sporty choice. Steel frame. A popular commuting model.
• Kickbike Sport MAX
  - Sport G4-equivalent aluminum body and light sports model for active fitness.
• Kickbike Race MAX 28
  - Asphalt speeder, i.e. a road bike-like fast model with big discs and narrow tires.
• Kickbike Freeride
  - Agile little model. Also suitable for children. Wheels 20" / 12".
• Kostka Hill Fun
  - A fun and clever little model that, however, rolls nicely. Easy to take with you on the train. Also suitable for children. Wheels 20" / 16".

Rolling and adaptability

Rolling is affected by the size of the wheels and the pattern and width of the tire. The bigger wheels rolls more easily, even over bumps. The advantage of scooters with smaller wheels, such as Kickbike Freeride and Kostka Hill Fun, is agility and ease of transport. Even if you choose an off-road model, you can of course change to smoother tires later, if your driving happens mainly on tarmac. On the other hand, if you want to extend the season of use of the scooter over the winter, studded tires are also available for most tire sizes.

Help with the choice

If you are still not sure about your choice, we are happy to help you. Feel free to get in touch !