GoTrax Apex: Best commuter scooter under $300?
TOP SPEED
RANGE
WEIGHT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GoTrax Apex is one of the best commuting scooters on the market. The Apex is an ideal scooter for teenagers, casual riders, or any other commuter. The best thing is that it is easy on your wallet. You can get this budget-friendly commuter scooter for less than $300.
You’ll love the GoTrax Apex due to its shorter charging period (thanks to the improved battery) and multi-function dashboard. It’s relatively quick and has a pretty good overall range.
It’s durable and utilizes pneumatic tires, which offer a smooth ride, unlike many scooters that offer solid tires. The Apex also offers a waterproof frame that keeps your scooter somewhat protected from mechanical damage brought by bad weather and rain. So, with good maintenance, this electric commuter scooter can serve you for a long time.
This article aims to review and share the experience-based insights of the GoTrax Apex as a commuter scooter. I will compare its features, performance, and overall value for money to determine if it truly deserves the title of the best commuter scooter under $300.
Who should buy the GoTrax Apex?
The GoTrax Apex is an ideal electric scooter for teenagers, casual riders, or any other commuter who is looking for a commuter scooter but doesn’t want to shell out the big bucks for a top-of-the-line model.
GoTrax is known for value, and we’ve found the GoTrax models we have tested so far have held up quite well over time.
The Apex is an ideal entry-level commuter scooter that can cover a range of 15 miles on a single charge. So you can maneuver this commuter scooter pretty much anywhere you want to go, especially without worrying about sitting in traffic.
The Gotrax Apex is ideal for riders with less than a 6-mile commute to work. With an overall range of 15 miles, that would give you a bit of extra juice of cushion for your ride home, just to be safe.
GoTrax Apex Features
Deck
GoTrax Apex has an outstanding deck compared to the GoTrax cohorts, such as XR Ultra and GXL V2. The deck is upgraded with a robust kickstand, grippy surface, and sleek lined tread.
The deck accommodates the battery as a strategy to help a commuter maneuver well because of its low center gravity.
Because the battery, and therefore much of the weight of the scooter, is in the center of the scooter, it is an easy scooter to balance. So, even someone with little or no experience riding an electric scooter can utilize the Apex on their commute with ease.
Handlebars
The handlebars are coated with black rubber to provide that extra grip. The best thing is that these rubber covers are made of heavy and durable rubber and won’t tear easily.
Even though the handlebars don’t fold like some other scooters, they are smooth and easy to turn. They provide stability while the commuter is maneuvering through corners.
The handlebars are also compact enough that, when the scooter is folded, allow you to put it in a small space inside your apartment or home without taking up much room.
Tires
The circumference of the air-filled tires is 8.5 inches. These tires have a large surface area which means the scooter will provide a nice smooth ride. In addition, the tires offer an effective grip to ensure that the scooter is stable when you ride.
With this computer scooter, you shouldn’t worry about bumps or uneven pavement all too much because the air-filled pneumatic tires absorb the road nicely. This quality feature helps in absorbing shock. Thus helping a commuter to maneuver swiftly on uneven surfaces.
The tires also have a thicker thread which makes them quite durable. So you can ride on rough roads or terrain without much fear of potential puncture.
However, don’t get me wrong. Puncturing an air-filled tire happens. My son was riding our GoTrax G4 and punctured the rear tire. However, it is important to note that we put over 150 miles on the scooter before the tire was ruined. Not too bad!
Suspension
Unfortunately, the GoTrax Apex does not have suspension. Like a number of different models, the suspension is one area where GoTrax has decided to cut costs.
However, in order to make up for the lack of suspension, the GoTrax scooter company uses pneumatic tires exclusively. While using pneumatic tires reduces some shock, it doesn’t provide the same kind of shock absorption as if they had slapped a shock on the rear wheel.
Lights
The scooter has powerful lead headlights that are improved compared to other GoTrax models. The GoTrax Apex has the leading lights with incredible optics. These optics are Omnidirectional, where they distribute lights to all sides of the road.
The headlight housing is protected and nearly waterproof, so the lights won’t dim when exposed to external hazards such as water and snow.
One thing that sets this scooter apart from other commuter scooter models is that the Apex has strong, powerful taillights. Between the multi-function dash and taillights, the Apex stands out above the crowd in its price point.
Braking system
The GoTrax Apex has an incredible braking system that focuses on your safety. The rear disc brake provides effortless stopping power.
Again, the braking system is another way that GoTrax is able to keep the cost low. In a number of their models, they utilize a dual braking system. The Apex only has a disc brake on the rear wheel.
I think only having a rear disc brake is fine for this model as the top speed is only 15 mph. If it had a higher top speed, they would need to include a dual braking system, in my opinion.
Another thing to note is that the GoTrax Apex has regenerative braking. The activation of the brakes makes the electric scooter initiate charging mode for the motor. This is called regenerative braking and “charges” the battery.
Although, I think regenerative braking is more of a marketing ploy than it is practical. You’re not going to regenerate enough juice to make a marked difference.
Maximum Speed
The scooter has a maximum speed of 15.5 mph, similar to its predecessors like GoTrax XR, GoTrax XR Elite, and GoTrax GXL. This speed is adequate to get you on time since the scooter can easily penetrate crowded places.
The Apex is a bit slower in terms of acceleration. It results from a smaller motor power of 250W compared to the other GoTrax models, which often have 300W motors. Although it is not that quick, the scooter remains ideal for many people, especially first-time riders and those looking for a scooter for a short commute.
Considering the cost of the scooter, the Apex remains the best scooter for commuters under $300, in my opinion. Having a maximum speed of 15.5 mph at this price point that’s solid in our opinion.
Range
The GoTrax Apex can cover a maximum range of 15 miles. A relatively lightweight rider can achieve this max range when the road is smooth and the rider doesn’t surpass 150 lbs. It is important to keep in mind that road conditions affect the overall range.
Water Resistance
The Go Trax Apex has an IP54 rating for water resistance. It is important to keep in mind that an IP54 rating doesn’t mean the scooter is fully waterproof.
It means that the scooter can operate in the rain. So you don’t have to worry when riding while the rain drizzles.
The waterproof ratings for the Apex are in line with the Ingress Protection Standard. These standards measure how devices and machines work when exposed to water and how long they can withstand to prevent mechanical damage.
Colors of the scooter
The Go Trax Apex comes in matte black and red. Not often do you find a budget-friendly commuter scooter that also allows you to have your pick of colors!
Portability & Weight
The Go Trax Apex is easily foldable. It means the scooter is convenient, and you can store the ride in your car when you’re traveling.
The Apex has 32.1 lb, which is 14.5 kg. Therefore, the scooter is considered lightweight.
While you might not think much of the overall weight, it is something to keep in mind. There have been times when I have been out riding my scooter, and the battery died. In that case, you can either “walk” the scooter or fold it up and carry it. Overall, 32 lbs aren’t bad if you have to lug the scooter a mile or so.
Regarding the total weight limit of the GoTrax Apex, this commuter scooter can support riders that weigh up to 220 lbs.
Quality of construction
The GoTrax Apex is an electric commuter scooter that has incredible stability. GoTrax utilizes aluminum alloy for the frame, which is strong. Overall, for the price, the quality of the construction is really hard to beat.
OTHER SCOOTERS TO CONSIDER
SPECIFICATION, COMPARISONS, and REVIEWS
| MODELS | TOP SPEED | RANGE | WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoTrax GMax Ultra | 25 mph | 45 mi | 36 lbs |
| Segway Ninebot Max G30P | 18.6 mph | 40.4 mi | 41.2 lbs |
| GoTrax GXL V2 | 15.5 mph | 9-12 mi | 26.4 lbs |
| GoTrax G4 | 20 mph | 25 mi | 36 lbs |
| Hiboy S2 Pro | 19 mph | 25 mi | 33 lbs |
| The Kugoo M2 Pro | 20 mph | 18.6 mi | 34 lbs |
| Segway Ninebot ES4 | 18.6 mph | 28 mi | 30 lbs |
Charging Outlet and Charging time
The charging port has a rubber cover and the charger box has a red, yellow, and green light.
The scooter has an indicator that turns red when the battery is running low. So, when the red light appears, charge the Apex immediately. But to be on the safer side, prevent the scooter from running low on battery and recharge when the indicator turns yellow.
The charging outlet of the Go Trax Apex is located in the rear below the fender. Therefore, it is essential to keep an eye on the battery and unplug it when full. The indicator changes the color to green when the battery is full.
The Apex can achieve a full charge in just 4 hours. The charge can last for a range of 15 miles.
Just keep in mind the range can be affected by the road and the condition of the battery.
Bluetooth App
Unfortunately, the Go Trax Apex doesn’t have a Bluetooth app to keep the commuter busy with music or to provide the ability to see mileage statistics, set the cruise control, or lock the scooter.
I’ve long felt that GoTrax should rethink the whole app idea. Segway has an app, and I think that GoTrax is their biggest competitor. It wouldn’t cost them much to include Bluetooth connectivity in their scooter models. Plus, it would narrow the feature gap between the two brands.
Some clients may not have an issue with buying a scooter that doesn’t have Bluetooth. But for luxury purposes, a person might decide to consider Bluetooth as an added advantage. It all comes down to personal preference and whether you’re interested in paying more for a scooter that has Bluetooth / app connectivity.
Warranty
Go Trax Apex is one of the best scooters for commuting for many reasons. The scooter has a warranty of 90 days and covers any mechanical defects from the manufacturer.
Safety
I think the Apex is a pretty safe scooter. Yes, we’d like to see dual brakes, but outside of that, it does have large 8.5-inch pneumatic tires that commuters love because they provide a solid, stable ride.
The scooter has taillights because, as I mentioned earlier, not many scooters at this price point include.
The Apex also has a nice wide deck with non-slip decking which comes in handy if you are to find yourself riding in the rain or through somewhat rough terrain.
What’s the difference between the GoTrax Apex and GoTrax G4?
The Apex charges faster than the Gotrax G4. Apex charges in four hours, while G4 goes for up to 5 hours. A shorter charging period is a privilege since time is money, and you can recharge quickly and resume your usual daily activities.
Apart from the charge period, the Apex is a bit lighter than the G4. Apex is 32 lbs, or 14.5 kg, while G4 weighs about 36 lbs or 16.3 kg. That means that the Apex is quite a bit lighter than the latter.
The G4 also has better features that are not present in Apex. The GoTrax G4 has a more powerful 350W motor, while Apex has a 250W motor. The 100w power difference is huge in an electric scooter. More specifically, the G4 can reach top speeds up to 20 mph, and it also has a longer maximum range than the Apex. The GoTrax G4 can cover a whopping 25 miles on a single charge.
The G4 also has a larger wheel diameter than the Apex. The G4 has 10-inch wheels, while the Apex’s tires are only 8.5 inches.
Plus, the G4 comes with a dual braking system and digital lock. Overall, the GoTrax G4 is a better commuter scooter. However, it’s far more expensive.
Conclusion
With GoTrax’s reputation as a reputable electric scooter company, the Apex offers a range of features that make it a suitable choice for urban commuters. Its lightweight design, decent speed, and respectable range ensure a practical commuting experience.
It is the most affordable commuter scooter compared to others on the market. Moreover, the Apex, in my opinion, is the best scooter for commuting for under $300 because of its features.
One of the vital aspects is the availability of pneumatic tires, which absorb shock. I love the disc brake (instead of a mechanical brake).
The scooter has a stable deck that helps new riders to have control and stability on the road. It also has a nice multi-function display and a bright headlight and tail light.
Although Apex doesn’t have some features like Bluetooth, the scooter remains one of the most suitable models for someone looking for a cost-effective commuter scooter.
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