Review of Mini Micro Classic Scooter with T Bar
Table of Contents
Please note: This is a review of the Mini Micro Classic scooter. Since we bought the Mini Micro classic scooter for my son, micro released a newer version of the Mini Micro scooter, the deluxe version (which has a height-adjustable handlebar). You can buy both versions of the scooter, but the deluxe is more expensive. You can read more about the Mini Micro Deluxe scooter towards the end of the article.
A Very Smooth Ride
Having had the experience of rattling, cheaper scooters with my elder son, I was really surprised at how smooth the Mini Micro scooter is.
I think this is down to the wheels made of polyurethane and the sturdy build of the scooter. Many scooters with folding mechanisms rattle and as this scooter doesn't fold it means it's stronger and lighter than many of its counterparts. It is a really quiet ride too. No rattling and bumping over cracks in the pavement.
The wheels on the front are 120 mm which are slightly bigger than a standard scooter wheel size of 100mm. Bigger wheels offer a smoother ride along the pavements as they go over bumps and cracks more quickly and easily.
They are also easier for young children to control.
My son, Callum aged 2 on his mini micro classic scooter
Lightweight
Another feature that really impressed me was how lightweight the scooter is. It's only 3.5 pounds (1.5kg) and easy for me to pick up and carry. It's also really easy for my son to pick up too. This is great when they first learn to scoot as they will pick up the scooter to move it. This is part of the learning process and as my son got used to the scooter, he quickly learned to lean to turn the scooter left and right as described below.
Lean to Steer Mechanism
The scooter has a lean to steer mechanism. This means that the child leans left to go left and right to go right. They don't use the handlebar to steer the scooter as with other scooters. This has been great for my younger son. The only thing I would say is if your child already has experience with a scooter that is controlled by the handlebar, (ie you move the handlebar to go left or right rather than lean) it may take them a while to learn how to use the lean and steer mechanism. My older son found it difficult to adapt to this scooter whereas my younger son, who'd never used a scooter before, found the lean and steer mechanism easier to operate.
Longevity
One reason I chose the scooter is that it's designed to last. We have been through several cheaper scooters with our eldest son, which typically last about a year. I bought this when my boy was 2.5 years and am hoping it will last until he's 5 years old. So far it has lasted well. The scooter has a modular design which means all parts can be replaced easily. Therefore, the scooter should last for years. Also, if the scooter is in good condition, the resale value on sites like eBay are quite high so you should be able to regain some of your initial outlay. It should also be a good scooter to hand onto younger siblings.
Update - my son is now 4 and still riding on this scooter. The scooter is still in excellent condition and he loves it. The maximum weight on the scooter is 20kg so as long as they are under this weight, they should be fine.
Handlebar Height
The handlebars come in at 61cm. However, this is the measurement from the scooter deck to the top of the handlebars The height from the floor to the top of the handlebars is 67cm. Ideally, when choosing a scooter, it's best to have the handlebars around waist height for kids to use the scooter as it's easier to control. If you think about it, if you were on a scooter, the best height for the handlebars for most people would be around waist height. Having said this when I got the scooter for my toddler, the handlebars were higher than waist high (see picture above) and he still managed on it. But if my son were two now, I would have got the deluxe version of the mini micro with an adjustable handlebar. For a 3 year old, I would still consider the classic. You can see by the picture of my son on the scooter at age 3, the handlebars are around the better height for his size.
My son aged 3 on his Mini Micro scooter.
The handlebar of the Mini Micro Classic scooter is not adjustable. However, now Micro has released the deluxe version of the Mini Micro scooter which has an adjustable handlebar.
The Mini Micro Deluxe scooter offers the same great wheels, lightweight deck and smooth ride as the classic. Here are its extra key features:
- A height-adjustable handlebar from 49cm to 69cm
- Suitable for riders between 80 and 110cmm
- It's slightly heavier than the mini micro classic at 1.95kg. This is because of the extra weight from the height adjusting handlebar. However, it's still very light and should be easy for small children to lift up kerbs and keep under control.
- An extra grippy footplate
- An anodised stem to increase protection against corrosion and wear
- Weight limit of 35kg
Mini Micro Classic Vs Mini Micro Deluxe - Which One To Get?
It will very much depend on who you're buying it for.
The Mini Micro Classic is cheaper so better if you're on a budget. It one fixed height handlebar works best for 3 to 5 year olds. It's super light so perfect for young kids to lift up stairs and up and down kerbs.
The Mini Micro Deluxe is more expensive but its adjustable handlebar with the lowest height of 49cm works best for 2 year olds. The handlebar can be extended so you can find the perfect height for your child which will mean it's easier for them to learn how to scoot. Younger kids will do better with this version.
What Else is There to Know?
Neither the Mini Micro Classic nor the Mini Micro Deluxe are foldable. However, you can remove the handlebar from the base for easy transportation and storage. The reason that Micro hasn't made these scooters foldable is because a folding mechanism adds weight. This will mean the scooter is harder to lift and turn direction which will make it harder for young children to learn how to scooter.