Xootrs in use in New York City
Xootr is a manufacturer of kick scooters and folding bicycles. Xootr scooters are characterized by large (180 mm) wheels with a solid polyurethane tire, and a hand brake for the front wheel. Compared to the small wheels of child scooters, these larger wheels provide an easier ride, at the expense of a somewhat less easy portablity. The hinge is distinguished from competitors in being locked by inserting a pin, rather than by a cam or other latch. The platform is large enough for adults, and available in plywood, magnesium or aluminum at different prices.
Xootr scooters were originally introduced in 1999 by Nova Cruz Products. Since 2003, the Xootr scooter has been manufactured and sold by Xootr LLC.
The earlier Nova Cruz Xootr was made with a plastic Handlecap which is prone to breakage. This is part of the mechanism for clamping the T-Handle at the correct user height. A replacement metal component is available, with downloadable instructions. See the xootr website.
The Xootr Swift Folder folds more quickly, though less compactly, than many other folding bicycles.
Manufacturer
The roots of Xootr go back to 1999, when Karl Ulrich, Nathan Ulrich, and Tom Miner (along with partners Lunar Design and Cheskin Research, and several other investors) founded Nova Cruz Products. Nova Cruz designed, manufactured and sold the Xootr kick scooter, the Xootr eX3 electric scooter, and the Voloci electric motorbike. Each of these products led the industry, redefining the categories in which they competed.
The members of the Xootr LLC team have created products for dozens of great companies including Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola. They now focus their energies on designing and manufacturing fun, socially and environmentally friendly products for their own company.
Wheels
Xootr wheels were originally sold in two styles: standard (translucent yellow) and ultra (black), with the ultra wheels having 10% lower rolling resistance. The wheels were very high in quality for the price and were used as a stock wheel for a number of gravity racing competitions.
When Nova Cruz defaulted and the scooters began to be manufactured by Xootr, LLC, production of these wheels was shifted from the United States to Taiwan. The quality in the polyurethane used on the wheel dropped dramatically, along with their popularity as gravity racing wheels.
About Xootr Swift, <http://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/aboutus.shtml>
About Xootr LLC, <http://xootr.com/xootr/naboutus.shtml>
External links
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