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online magazine, since 2000

Tag: Mibo

Six Decades of Scooting

By Jeffrey the Barak. Towards the end of this ever-expanding article I have added edits updating to this year, but the article was first published in 2015 under the original title “Half a Century of Scooting”. Edits are ongoing, so this article is like a blog in itself. Written in 2015: I may have a… Read More Six Decades of Scooting

May 27, 2022December 19, 2022 thebarak12 Comments

Scoot USC

By Jeffrey the Barak. Los Angeles is a better place to be than many cities when it comes to finding a nice place to scoot. But sooner or later the 26 mile beach bike path becomes so familiar that the urge to explore further kicks in. Google Maps has a bicycle overlay with puts bright… Read More Scoot USC

May 18, 2013December 6, 2022 thebarakLeave a comment

The Mibo Gepard Kick Scooter Review

By Jeffrey the Barak. I have been waffling on in recent articles about kick-scooters about how much I miss pneumatic tires. Yes, the small solid tired folding scooters are convenient and portable, and in the cases of the Know-Ped and the KickPed are also reasonably comfortable at slower speeds on slightly rougher surfaces, but it… Read More The Mibo Gepard Kick Scooter Review

April 18, 2013December 6, 2022 thebarak26 Comments
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  1. Dmytro aka Samokat Scooter Avatar
    Dmytro aka Samokat Scooter
    April 20, 2013

    “…The designers of such high-decked scooters obviously never ride scooters very far themselves or they would immediately realize their mistake on their first long ride…”

    “…Except that when it is time to change tires, I will go for a less knobby model than the Kenda tires that come as standard. They are smooth enough going straight but get knobby when you lean and turn. Perhaps the Schwalbe City Jet or a V-Groove or even a slick. And bent-valve inner tubes would make it easier to attach a tire pump also…”

    You are absolutely right. I have same ideas.
    Very nice article!

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  2. Ferris Anthony Avatar
    Ferris Anthony
    May 6, 2013

    Hi Jeff. Thanks for the website. I’ve just discovered scooters and kickbikes, and I’m hungry for more. I’m 72 years old, 5’10”, 200 lbs., and I ride a hybrid bike. But now I want to try a kickbike
    (or a scooter). I read your classification article, and I’d like to find a 12″ wheel pneumatic tire kickbike. What’s available in the U.S.? How about an Amish kickbike? What else is out there? I’d appreciate your recommendation. I’ve never seen or tried a kickbike, so I’m not sure I’ll even like it. Thanks for your help. Ferris (that’s my first name)

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      May 6, 2013

      Hi Ferris.

      The Amish 12″ is really designed for children, so you, like most Americans, have very few choices without personally importing a scooter from the Czech Republic etc. This is why I imported my Mibo. The website Letskickscoot.com has a list published of almost every available scooter also. YedooUSA may possibly be able to get you a Yedoo-Three or a Yedoo-Ox without importing, but they don’t have decks quite as low as the Mibo. Of course if you want a Kickbike or Footbike or an Amish or a Current Coaster, then you need not import, but the 12.5″ class is really great and low decks are really important. Please contact me before you buy anything so I can help you avoid any mistakes!

      Best regards,
      Jeffrey

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  3. Ferris Anthony Avatar
    Ferris Anthony
    May 15, 2013

    Hi Jeff, I just came across an Amish built kick scooter/bike made by Groffdale from Pennsylvania. The came in various tire sizes, beginning with 12″, then 16″, 20″, and 24″. Based on some of your reviews and comments, I’m seriously thinking of the 12″; it’s sort of like the MIBO. But I’d like your thoughts. Many thanks for all your insights.

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      May 15, 2013

      Ferris,

      I know of someone with a 20″ and someone with a 16″ They love them. But the 12″ might need to be special-ordered if you want proper brakes. I think it just has a tire-friction back brake. It is the kid’s model. Much heavier than a Mibo I think.
      Links:
      http://scootersport.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/bob-dymond-on-an-american-original/
      http://www.letskickscoot.com/home/articles/countryScooter.cfm

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  4. Golon Avatar
    Golon
    May 18, 2013

    What this mean about grapes and trombones? How Cretaceous era? I do not understand footnote.

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  5. Ferris Anthony Avatar
    Ferris Anthony
    May 21, 2013

    Jeff, Many thanks for your advice. The kick scooter/bike world is rather confusing to a newbie. I’m now seriously considering the Kickbike Freeride. Front wheel is 20″, rear wheel is 12″. The Finns list it as a family bike, good for kids and adults. The US distributor says it’s a kid’s bike. It’s also called a BMX style.
    I’m 5’10” tall, 200 lbs., and 72 years old. My interest is in general recreation, riding around the neighborhood and in nearby parks. I’m not using it for commuting or racing. Can you give me any insights into the Freeride? Many thanks.

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      May 21, 2013

      Not really. I have not experienced that model.

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  6. BB In Florida Avatar
    BB In Florida
    May 23, 2013

    Jeffreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey! You have written another excellent article. I am intrigued and chomping at the bit while I await delivery of my KickPed. In the meantime, I am putting the Mibo Gepard on my list for my second scooter. lol

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  7. Apo Avatar
    Apo
    June 5, 2013

    Thank you for nice article and even nicer advertisement for HOPsej.cz 🙂

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      June 5, 2013

      Apo, is Hopsej still selling scooters? They have disappeared from the site.

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  8. John McCallum Avatar
    John McCallum
    August 30, 2013

    I cannot find the ‘Gepard’ model on the Mibo english website. Does it go by a different name or is it no longer made? If its not available what might be its nearest equivelent. Thanks.

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      August 30, 2013

      Gepard is translated to Cheetah in English. It may be a legacy model though. If so there should be an equivalent model for 2013.

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  9. rishio Avatar
    rishio
    September 21, 2013

    Hey Jeff, thanks for the awesome review. From your description, this looks like exactly the scooter I want. Perhaps I want the same exact scooter as you. I tried looking up the gepard on their website that you linked but couldn’t find it. I’m 5’6″ and looking for one with 12″ wheels that fit my body. I have no idea how to go about finding this scooter and I was wondering if you could give me insight into the process and your experience. One more thing – since you had some time to get to know the gepard, do you still have a high opinion of it?

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      September 21, 2013

      Rishio, Gepard is Czech for Cheetah, and it is now a legacy model. Mibo has changed the angular “broken neck” design of the frame to a curved design for the newer models. If I had to replace it, I would try to get the same one, or perhaps look for a “top” model with upgraded bearings and smoother tires. I still prefer two 12.5″ wheels to the more popular design of the best selling Mastr (Master). But if you cannot find the exact same Gepard, look at their newer 12.5″ scooters and you will get approximately the same experience. Let me know if you buy one!

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  10. rishio Avatar
    rishio
    September 21, 2013

    Thanks. I also like the 12.5 model. Basically want as light and small as possible with inflated tires. I did more research and I think I like the Mibo Courage top (http://www.mibo.cz/eshop-product/kolobezka-mibo-courage-top) but not clear about the difference between the top and the classic. I sent them out an email so let’s see if they respond. I’m greatful for your post – I was this close to getting a kickped but this style of scooter is what I really want. BTW, this will be my first kick scooter (aside from the one I had when I was a little kid in the early 80s which I think was a 12.5 model as well!). The Mibo Tiny is also another option but I’m not sure I want the folding complexity and extra pound. Thinking that I might be able to get the courage non-folded into a car.

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  11. rishio Avatar
    rishio
    September 21, 2013

    The classic Top looks really nice in this picture! I think that’s the one I want! http://www.mibo.cz/photos/402.jpg

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  12. rishio Avatar
    rishio
    September 21, 2013

    One question I forgot to ask in my previous posts (apologies for so many posts). The floor height on the courage top says 5cm which comes out to 2 inches. Having little experience with scooters, that does seem really low. Do you think it’s too low? I feel like it will bottom out every time I go up or down a sidewalk ramp or driveway.

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      September 21, 2013

      I like low. You may scrape bottom sometimes, but the advantage to 2″ height is you can go further and faster for the same energy input. I think you have found the right model.

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  13. dezz Avatar
    dezz
    June 3, 2014

    I got myself a yedoo ox new and the decks in new models are as low as in mibo. For a 1/3 of mibo prices yedoos are much better choice with no relevant quality cuts.
    I do like the design of mibos more but don’t see it being worth the premium they charge.

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      June 3, 2014

      Thanks for the comment Dezz. We were hoping to see the New Ox and the New Three in the US but so far only the kids running bikes have appeared. There is one store offering the Original Ox (with a higher footboard) for $200 but we can keep looking.

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  14. Jim Avatar
    Jim
    June 13, 2014

    The brand new Yedoo scooters (NEW OX) now have a thorough redesign and include much lower decks and some other new features well worth checking out…
    June 2014

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  15. Marz Avatar
    Marz
    June 13, 2014

    Hi Jeff! Thanks for all the insightful kick scooter articles and advice! I am looking to purchase one for my commute to work. The morning part of my commute consists of 2-3 miles of uphill (asphalt or sidewalk). Is there a type of scooter you recommend for uphill travels?

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      June 14, 2014

      Hi Marz. 3 miles is quite a commute for a scooter, but could be fun. Personally after enjoying my return to 12.5″ pneumatic tires so much I could not imagine going back to hard urethane tires. But in the US choice is very limited in this category. You have to find out of you can take a 12 incher into your workplace without folding. If so then there is a promising new option at a lower cost than Mibo etc., and that is the Yedoo Ox-New. Find out more about it and here from someone who imported one recently at the letskickscoot forum.http://bit.ly/1kULxkI

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  16. Walter Avatar
    Walter
    April 7, 2017

    Is this durable? How many years you did use this scooter considering that this article was posted last 2013.

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    1. admin Avatar
      admin
      May 24, 2017

      It was perfect when I sold it. I never did a long term endurance test.

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