Xootr
Xootr (pronounced "zoo-ter") is a manufacturer of folding kick scooters and folding bicycles.[1] Xootr scooters are characterized by 180 mm polyurethane wheels with aluminium hubs, and a hand brake for the front wheel (for the rear on old models). Compared to the other folding scooters with smaller wheels, these larger wheels provide an easier ride, at the expense of a somewhat less easy portability. 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.[2]
The earlier Nova Cruz Xootr was made with a plastic handle cap which is prone to breakage. This is part of the mechanism for clamping the T-Handle at the correct user height. The current version is aluminum and an upgrade kit 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.
The members of the Xootr LLC team have created products for many companies including Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola. They now focus their energies on designing and manufacturing products they consider to be fun, socially, and environmentally friendly.
Products
Kick Scooter Models
| Name | Deck | Max. Rider Load | Components | Availability[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Cruz | 9-layers of birchwood laminated in polyurethane | 300 lbs. (136 kg) | N/A | Available |
| Mg | Solid cast magnesium. Available in Black, Red, and Blue | 250 lbs. (113 kg) | Single-component deck-rear wheel assembly. | Available |
| Roma | 6061-T6 aluminum | 300 lbs. (136 kg) | N/A | Available |
| Venus | 6061-T6 aluminum | 300 lbs. (136 kg) | N/A | Available |
| Street | 6061-T6 aluminum | 300 lbs. (136 kg) | N/A | Available |
| eX3 | Solid cast aluminum | 250 lbs. (113 kg) | Battery-powered electric motor. Single-component deck-rear wheel assembly. | Discontinued |
| Comp | Carbon fiber deck | 300 lbs. (136 kg) | N/A | Discontinued |
Swift Folder Bicycle
The Swift Folder is a folding bicycle, designed by Peter Reich of Design Mobility Inc. of Brooklyn, New York, in collaboration with Jan VanderTuin of the Center for Appropriate Transport in Eugene, Oregon. The Swift Folder is available from Design Mobility as a bare frame for customers to build up themselves, or assembled into a complete bicycle to the customer's requirements. The bicycle is also sold under license by Xootr as the Xootr Swift, fully assembled to one standard specification.
Bicycle Rack System
The Xootr CrossRack Bicycle Rack enables the mounting of a standard bicycle bag to almost any bicycle especially on bicycles with small wheels.
Hand trucks
Xootr markets a line of folding hand trucks
Clothing
Xootr markets it own line of baseball caps and tee-shirts.
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.
Teams using Xootr wheels with a custom rubber formulation swept the top three places at the All-American Soap Box Derby Ultimate Speed championships in July 2008.
In popular culture
The Xootr was featured in the film Little Manhattan, where a Xootr Street serves as the primary means of transportation for the main character, Gabe. In one scene, one of his friends has a Xootr Ultra Cruz while another friend makes do with a Razor.
References
- ↑ FAQ, Xootr.
- ↑ 50 Coolest Products of the 21st Century, Business Week.
- ↑ Xootr Kick Scooter Line