T i anRun 8" electric scooter Review
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
The T i anRun scooter looks much like it's competitors but, as our extensive testing and analysis revealed, it is not able to toe the line. This machine's primary deficiency is its lack of power resulting in a significantly reduced max speed and climbing ability. As a result, all the other metrics used to assess it are hard to compare with other products here reviewed. A primary example of this is run time. All the scooters in this class get approximately 40-60 minutes of run time on a battery charge, yet due to the relatively slow max speed, the T i anRun will traverse two miles less than the group average during this period.
Performance Comparison
In our hunt for the best electric scooters on the market, we combed the internet studying manufacturer specs, analyzing design features and, reading through customer reviews. Eventually narrowing the search, we purchased nine favored scooters for comparative testing. Our tests were designed to assess all the elements contributing to a quality product. These are power, ride, range, portability, and braking. We delve into all these below.
Power
This two-part metric is an assessment of hill climbing ability and level ground top speed. Our climbing tests are comprised of two hills (3.5% and 10.5% grade); if the first hill is surmounted then we continue to the steeper. The T i anRun was the only scooter tested that wouldn't climb the shallower of the two.
The speed trial is a full-throttled run on flat ground with a topped-off battery. The trial was administered three times for accuracy. The average was taken of the three trials and was converted to miles per hour. The machine's max is the slowest of the class at 11.9 mph.
Ride
Our ride test involved riding over rough and smooth roads and over large cracks and asses the performance of each scooter. Despite the dampening effect of the front shock, T i anRun did not overcome the direct feedback issued from the solid rubber tires. Additionally, testers noted that the front wheel is larger than the back, and this places the rider at an uncomfortable incline.
Portability
Portability is a measure of how straightforward it is to fold, pick up, and store a scooter. While the T i anRun performs decently in this category, there is one notable exception: the carry handle is square. This feature had tester's complaining of the discomfort and fatigue that resulted. On the plus side, this model is fairly light and compact.
Range
Our range tests look at two separate but related performance details: travel radius and charging time. Travel radius is defined in two ways, the maximum and the effective miles traveled on a full battery charge. Effective miles is the distance that a scooter can travel on flat ground at our test speed and still be comfortable faster than walking, the latter is the number of miles that the machine traveled before completely running out of battery, even if you could walk faster than it. The T i anRun has a lithium ion battery, and amongst the scooters utilizing this power source, it was well below average with 7.4 max miles, seven of those being effective miles. Moreover, this battery takes a long time to charge (7+ hours).
Braking
The T i anRun has a dual brake system (electronic motor and rear fender) which we like for its redundancy. The fender brake is relatively powerful as well. However, since this product can't achieve the same speeds of others in the class it is hard to make apples to apples comparisons in this regard. That being said, the dual brake system held testers at a comfortable speed even on the steepest descent and the rear fender brake made for short stopping distances.
Value
We do not find this scooter to be a good value due to its overall poor showing across all test categories and relatively high price tag.
Conclusion
The T i anRun looks good but lacks performance follow through. If this is the price range you are comfortable with, we suggest that you look elsewhere in this review for a higher quality product. Some of these scooters will deliver more performance for less money.