Ninebot Segway AIR T-15

Ninebot Segway Air T15 Review

The Ninebot Segway Air T15 is the latest release in Segway's electric scooter line. Built as the ultimate futuristic commuter scooter, the Air T15 is designed to be the lightest, most convenient, and most energy-efficient scooter in the market currently. Segway claims that its team of experts took six years to create the Air T15 in an attempt to achieve the best and most stylish e-scooter for urban commuting. It comes as no surprise that the scooter has already scooped the CES 2020 Innovation Award. Segway has definitely set electric scooter design standards with the release of this model.

Aside from its head-turning futuristic design, the scooter integrates exemplary outstanding features with an attention to detail. The scooter strikes a perfect balance between sleek aesthetic and high-end features, notably regenerative braking, Smart App Connectivity (Segway-Ninebot App), Bluetooth connectivity, and Bezel-less Dashboard embedded with LED nixie tubes. While the Ninebot Segway Air T15 scooter is the perfect electric scooter for urban commuting, it's not without faults that compromise its overall functionality. Here's an in-depth Ninebot Segway Air T15 review.

Technical Specifications

Make: Segway

Model: Air T15

Design

Weight: 23.2 lbs. (10.5 kg)

Size: 1167 x 472 x 1203mm

Folded size: 1167 x 472 x 534mm

Suitable height: 120-200cm

Suitable age: 14-50 years old

Speed and Performance

Can it be used off-road? No

Cruise control: Yes

Max incline: 15 degrees

Max weight: 220 lbs. (100 kg)

Motor Power: 250W

Lights: LED headlight, Front LED atmosphere light strip, Wrap around LED brake light.

Riding Modes: Pedestrian mode, Energy saving mode, standard mode, sport mode

Range: 7-8 Miles (11.27- 12.87 KM)

Top speed: 12.4 mph/h (20 km/h)

Tire Size: 7.5" front and 6’’ back tires

Tire Type: Solid tires (filled with polyurethane foam)

Battery and Charging

Battery size: 4aH

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Rated voltage: 36V DC

Charging voltage: 42V DC

Charging time: 4hrs

Brakes: Front Electronic Regenerative Brake, Mechanical rear fender Brake

Display: LED (indicates battery life, riding modes, Bluetooth connectivity, and maintenance alerts)

Horn: Yes

Water resistance: IPX4 rating.

Package Content

1 x Ninebot KickScooter Air T15 (Assembled)

1 x Power Adapter

1 x EU plug

1 x Pair of Spare Tires

1 x Extending Nozzle

1 x T-shaped Wrench

4 x Screw

1 x English User Manual

1 x Packaging material (doubles as a stand and lines the charging cables)

Predominant Features

One Button Control

Fixed Speed Cruise

High-Quality Tire

Quick Folding

LED Display

Waterproof IPX4 rating

Segway-Ninebot App with Bluetooth Connectivity

4 Riding Modes with Cruise Control

Power Switch with Fender brake

Bezel-less Dashboard

Retractable Handlebar

Built-In Front and Rear LED Lights

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Futuristic Sleek and Innovative Design
• Extremely Light and Easy to Store
• Retracting Handlebars for portability (ultraportable)
• It comes with an App, that tracks battery life, displays ride details, and allows for customized settings.
• Bluetooth connectivity
• It comes with a One-year or 180-day warranty for different parts
• Never flat, maintenance-free tires.
• Has a Smart Battery Management System(SMBS).
• It comes fully assembled, and the packaging foam is reusable as a stand

Cons

• Slower speeds
• Relatively short range
• Small wheels and lack of suspension may result in twitchy Rides
• A high price point for its average performance

Segway Ninebot Air T15 Review Summary

The Ninebot Segway Air T15 KickScooter is currently the most compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient electric KickScooter on the market. It's tailored for seamless navigation within urban terrain and is suitable for last-mile commuting, carrying on mass transportation, and storing in restrictive spaces. The scooter's sleek, unique and futuristic appearance makes it stand out in the now hugely competitive electric scooter market.

The Air T15 adopts a design-centric approach to battery-assisted kick scooters, keeping weight at the very minimum and featuring a unique folding mechanism that allows for hassle-free last-mile commuting. From the Sinclair C4-Esque external design language to the functional Segway-Ninebot App, the T15 embodies a sleek and stylish frame that transforms casual scooter commuting. The design comes with smooth finishing, without sharp edges and angles that are usually not only aesthetically pleasing.

The scooter's exterior design feels like a flawlessly pieced puzzle, with no exposed wires, bolts, or gaps in the construction. It's built with aluminum-magnesium alloy; therefore, it is super lightweight (10 kgs) plus folds up much easier than its counterpart entry-level electric scooters. It incorporates a unique folding system that locks at a 180-degree angle (a straight line) and measures only 22 centimeters when completely folded.

The T15 delivers a stable, comfortable ride thanks to the impact-absorbing, polyurethane-foam-filled tires and an ergonomic design featuring an incredibly spacious deck and comfortable short grippy handlebars. The rear fender is uniquely designed, incorporating a multi-use switch that allows riders to power the scooter on/off, turn on the lights, alternate between riding modes, as well as bring the scooter to a halt.

The Air T15 is not a performance beast. Its speed maxes out at12.4 mph/h (20 km/h), which is relatively slow. Additionally, the 250W motor doesn't produce sufficient power to tackle intense inclines. Worse off, it has a range of 7-8 Miles (11.27- 12.87 km), which is rather low for a scooter at this price range. However, considering that it was designed for riding within urban settings, the 12.4 mph top speed and 9 mph standard speeds are perfectly functional for urban riders with shorter commutes.

In summary, the Segway Ninebot Air T15 is lightweight, highly portable, safe, comfortable to ride, and integrates superior technology. Notably, there is a trade-off in performance since it's slower and lacks the power and range of its similarly-priced counterparts.

Design and Construction

The Segway's Ninebot Air T15 implements a fresh and never-before-seen design that brings a revolutionary outlook on scooter aesthetics. The manufacturer put considerable effort into piecing together arguably one of the most aesthetically pleasing KickScooter in the market. The scooter's chassis is constructed of lightweight and highly durable aluminum-magnesium alloy.

An impact-resistant plastic covers the front panel on the steering rack, the front fender, and the deck's back. The manufacturer furthered the modern look by tucking away all of the scooters' cables. Any would-be visible wires are tucked behind the sturdy, plush-looking plastic cover, complementing the sleek finish.

From the top, the scooter features ergonomically shaped handlebars made from silica material, providing maximum comfort while driving. In between the handlebars, you'll spot the cleverly-concealed dashboard. The LED dashboard is bezel-less and rendered in the same sleek, dark style as the rest of the handlebars. To say the least, the LED dashboard is really cool and sets the scooter apart from the rest in the market.

The AirT15's body also encompasses built-in front and tail lights to keep riders safe and visible while riding at night. Riders have the opportunity to choose from a range of different light colors for instance Emergency, Monochromatic and Full Color Light options.

Further down, the scooter features a fender at the top of the rear tire of the Air T15. To enhance the scooter's functionality, the fender conveniently doubles as a switch to seamlessly power the electric scooter on/off, control the lights, alternate between the four riding modes, and brake when necessary.

Compared to other scooters, the deck in the Air T15 is very thin and has relatively little ground clearance to enhance stability. The bottom of the deck houses the battery, whose base is made of metal that further enhances stability. The deck's top is further lined with a rubber material that gives the rider extra grip while riding. Its 7.5" front tire and the 6" back tire are solid, never flat, and filled with polyurethane foam that tries to counter the lack of suspensions in giving the scooter a smoother ride.

Among its other unique features is the scooter's kickstand that uniquely doubles up as a cover for the charging port. The wrap-around rear light also gives the scooter enhanced side visibility during low-light rides.

Power & Performance

Designed for the urban lifestyle, the Ninebot Segway Air T15 is neither powerful nor predominantly fast, with a top speed of 12.4 mph/h (20 km/h). The scooter is powered by a 250W motor and comes with four riding modes: Pedestrian mode with a max speed of 3.7mph (6km/hr.), Energy-saving mode at 6mph (10km/h), Standard mode at 9mph (15km/h), and Sport mode with a top speed of 12.4mph (20km/h). Compared to other electric scooters in the same price range, the Air T15 is quite sluggish and not ideal for daredevils. Besides, the scooter seems to struggle tackling inclines past 15 degrees and bumpy terrains.

Acceleration and Top Speed

The Segway AirT15 was designed as a last-mile scooter with a top speed of 12.4 mph. This speed makes it safe to ride the scooter in most public spaces. It's really an excellent cruising speed for urban settings enabling you to control your e-scooter around traffic, bicycles, pedestrians, and parking.

For the acceleration, you can choose from 4 different riding modes enabling you to efficiently control your speed at any given time by simply toggling the power button embedded into the rear fender. The scooter was definitely not designed for speed but instead for riders that want to cover short distances at low speeds.

Range

The Air T15 offers a relatively low range of approximately 7-8 miles (11.27- 12.87 KM). Like most electric scooters, this range is just on paper. Expect less range-a 35-40% decline in the range- if you're riding at full speed, weigh more than the recommended limit, or riding up a hill. In such conditions, the range could decline to as little as 5 or 6 miles. Nonetheless, considering that this scooter was designed for an urban setting where public transport or parking buildings are in plenty, it's safe to say that you won't be needing an electric scooter with long-range capabilities. The range could therefore be perfect for all your needs.

Battery and Charging

When it comes to the battery, the AirT15 is equipped with a 21700 automotive-grade lithium-ion battery that is just enough to power the low voltage output motor. Segway claims that Air T15's battery is the same one used for New Energy Vehicles; thus, it's pretty sustainable. Better still, the scooter integrates Segway's Smart Battery Management System to protect it from electrical faults such as overheating, short circuit, over-current, over-discharge and over-charge.

The Li-ion battery has an average capacity of 4000 mAh and a max charging voltage of 42 VDC, resulting in an average charge of approximately 4 hours. The battery has approximately 600-800+ charge cycles meaning it would last you about 2 to 3 years before the need to replace it. You can keep track of the battery life on the LED display embedded on the handlebar stem.

Motor Configuration

As mentioned earlier, the Ninebot Segway Air T15 electric scooter comes with a 250w hub motor made with magnetic and silicon steel. The motor has an innovative temperature-control capacity ensuring it stays safe and sturdy for durability. Besides, the scooter comes with a brushless motor controller that protects the motor from low-voltage, over-voltage, and disconnection. By incorporating these configurations, the motor performs averagely, and it's relatively safe.

Ride Quality

The Air T15 is relatively comfortable to ride. It's ergonomically designed for your comfort. For smooth riding, the scooter comes with radial hollow tires with a tread pattern design for better ground grip and stability, even when negotiating turns. The tires are also highly resilient, with internal shock absorption capabilities further enhancing the ride quality. Better yet, the deck is reasonably spacious and offers sufficient grip to prevent a rider from falling over while riding. The handlebar provides quick access to the thumb controls; the right for acceleration, the left for braking, and simultaneous use activates the horn. In pedestrian mode, the rider is able to limit their speed and keep the tail lights flashing, which is a neat hack for night rides, light showers, or foggy weather. However, the lack of suspensions and narrow handlebars seems to have reduced riding comfort.

Braking

The Ninebot Segway Air T15 features a dual braking system featuring a front brake lever and a rear foot brake. You can slow down by simply pushing down the rear fender or pressing down the left handlebar's thumb-controlled button to initiate the front electric brake. T15's lightweight 23 lb. frame and slow speed significantly contribute to its precise braking.

Further on braking, the T15 is among the forerunners in implementing regenerative braking. This innovative technology comes in handy to prolong the scooter's battery life by recharging it while using the brake. Thanks to the regenerative braking, the Air T15 is energy sustainable using both electricity and recycled energy from riding.

Folding & Portability

Measuring 1167 x 472 x 534mm when folded and weighing only 23 lbs, the T15 is super portable. Segway's designers did a remarkable job in refining the aspects of the T15's folding function. Unlike other foldable KickScooter lining the market, the AirT15 folds in half like paper. With just a single pull of a lever, the scooter collapses immediately. The handlebars fold down parallel to the frame, and the kickstand retracts into the deck.

You don't have to switch off the scooter when folding since it integrates an automatic shutdown function when folded. The built-in sensor determines the steering column's positioning and automatically turns off power when it's lowered. Once the scooter is folded, it becomes flat and compact, with the stem and deck lying in close proximity. As such, it can effortlessly be lifted (using the steering rack) and stored whether it's aboard a bus, train, in your car trunk, or your sizable school/gym locker. Alternatively, you can wheel it from place to place. The scooter also implements a clever storage solution, where it converts to a vertical stand that doesn't eat up much space.

Lights

The Segway's Ninebot KickScooter Air T15 integrates a premium set of lights to stay visible and safe while riding at night. Besides, the lights add to the scooter's aesthetics. Apart from the rear red lights that wrap around the fender, the scooter features an ambient LED-colored strip, which runs vertically down the steering column's front.

The LED light is a distinguishable feature of the T15's design. Riders can customize the front LED light on the groovy strip using their phone App via Bluetooth. There's also an option to set up lighting effects on the strip with fantastic options such as 'dynamic breathing' and 'full-color breathing'. The scooter also comes with a front headlight cut along the top edge. The headlight offers a wide-angle, and it's relatively bright with a range of 5-10 meters.

Tires

The Air T15 comes with a 7.5" front rubber tire and a 6" rear one. The tires are filled with PU (polyurethane) foam which steps in for the scooter's lack of suspension. Considering that the tires are relatively small, the T15 is not suited for rough, bumpy terrains or anything other than flat asphalt or floor. The small tires are clear evidence that the scooter was exclusively intended for use in an urban setting.

Deck

The deck with a rubber mat is 17 cm wide and 45 cm working length. Its bow and stern are slightly tapered and raised, making it look sort of like a hoverboard. However, compared to most electric scooters, the deck is relatively low to the ground. This puts riders at the risk of scrapping the deck's underside on less off-road or bumpy terrains.

Build Quality and Durability

Segway has a reputation for manufacturing quality electric scooters and hasn't disappointed in this model either. The AirT15 is of stellar build quality boasting a solid frame & award-winning design. The aluminum frame is lightweight yet evidently robust, supporting up to 100 kg, just over 9.5 times its weight.

Besides, the frame is built to withstand physical conditions, including rain, the sun, and the wind. Again, other parts of the scooter, notably the caps on the front wheel and at the rear deck, are finished in impact-resistant plastic, thus quite durable. Durability is further enhanced by the Battery Management System (BMS), which protects against electric faults ensuring longer battery life.

To complement the high build quality, Segway offers a limited warranty on official purchases, protecting you against any quality issues.

Reliability

The Segway Air T15 might not be a performance monster, but it's reliable as a last-mile commuting scooter. It's lightweight, ultraportable, comfortable, and facilitates safe riding. In addition, it incorporates superior technology encompassing a regenerative braking system, Mobile App & Bluetooth connectivity, customizable LED ambient light, cruise control, an LED dashboard, and more. The Ninebot Air T15 is definitely a top pick for urban and inner-city commuters. It's suitable for anyone looking for a high-end lightweight and compact electric scooter.

Accessories

As an added accessory, the AirT15 comes with a vertical stand and horizontal stand, which you can use to store your electric scooter when not in use. It also doubles as a charging port for maximum convenience. Both stands are made from Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) which is recyclable. Of course, you can also choose to charge the typical way through cable chargers (also included in the package). Some accessories you can buy together with the scooter include:

• Segway Ninebot 5-Digit Combination Cable Lock
• Segway Ninebot Bike Helmet
• Segway Ninebot Waterproof Storage Bag
• Sleek Socket Ultra-Thin Electrical Outlet Cover

Water Resistance

The Segway AirT15 has an IP rating of IPX4 which means it's resistant to splashes in any direction. In general, an IPX4 rating is average; not the most immune to water. An IPX4 rating gives you a bit more protection when the ground's a bit wet, but it's still not recommendable to ride through deep puddles and rain.

Known Issues

The Segway Air T15 has several issues which compromise its overall quality and reliability. For a start, the scooter's deck is too close to the ground putting riders at risk of scrapping the deck's underside on less well-maintained pathways. The handlebars are evidently shorter and narrower than what you typically get with other electric scooters. As such, it won't make the ride more comfortable. Another issue is that the LED display isn't very visible under direct sunlight; therefore, can be pretty annoying.

Maintenance

Like most e-scooters, the Segway Air T15 Kickscooter requires minimal maintenance. It has PU (polyurethane) foam tires and easy to clean deck and handlebars. Fortunately, there are no chains or gears, which usually require regular maintenance to sustain practical functionality. To say the least, the E8 is an ideal scooter for urban residents for seamless commuting without worrying about maintenance. However, the scooter is also incorporated with a maintenance alert feature that notifies riders via the LED display on the handlebar stem.

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