Adam Birney / Android Authority
There’s a brand new breed of pace demons at the streets, and those two-wheelers are taking the day by day shuttle via typhoon. Whilst I see many of us in my metropolis using electric scooters recreationally, increasingly more are making an investment in high-performance scooters as their go-to mode of transportation. A few of these high-specced scooters redefine what we idea imaginable on two wheels, matching the velocity prohibit for automobiles in some towns.
After checking out Apollo’s newest professional type, the Apollo Phantom V3, and one in all their commuter fashions, the Apollo Town, I don’t suppose I’ll ever take the bus once more. It’s quicker to get to paintings and provides a jolt of adrenaline to my morning Joe. After all, now not everybody might desire a scooter that may blitz via at 40mph. Nonetheless, for thrill seekers like me or someone fascinated about converting their standard commute, right here’s why experiencing Apollo’s high-performance journey was once an absolute game-changer.
What you wish to have to grasp concerning the Apollo Town and Phantom V3
Adam Birney / Android Authority
- Apollo Phantom V3: $2,299 / CAD $2,599
- Apollo Town: $1,399 / CAD $1,599
Apollo Town | Apollo Phantom V3 | |
---|---|---|
Motor |
Apollo Town
500W |
Apollo Phantom V3
2 x 1,200W |
Most sensible pace |
Apollo Town
28 mph (45 km/h) |
Apollo Phantom V3
41 mph (66 km/h) |
Max vary |
Apollo Town
30 miles (48 km) |
Apollo Phantom V3 |
Battery |
Apollo Town
48V 13.5Ah |
Apollo Phantom V3
52V 23.4Ah |
Fee time |
Apollo Town
4.5 hours |
Apollo Phantom V3
12 hours |
Using modes |
Apollo Town
Tools 1: 9 mph |
Apollo Phantom V3
Tools 1: 15.5 mph |
Max incline |
Apollo Town
10 levels |
Apollo Phantom V3
25 levels |
Tires |
Apollo Town
10-inch self curative tubeless tires |
Apollo Phantom V3
10-inch pneumatic tires |
Suspension |
Apollo Town
Triple spring device |
Apollo Phantom V3
Quadruple spring device |
Brakes |
Apollo Town
Twin drum brakes and regenerative digital braking |
Apollo Phantom V3
Entrance and rear disc brakes and regenerative digital braking |
Visibility |
Apollo Town
500 lumen headlight |
Apollo Phantom V3
1,000 lumen headlight |
Water resistance |
Apollo Town
IP66 |
Apollo Phantom V3
IP54 |
Weight |
Apollo Town
57 lbs |
Apollo Phantom V3
77 lbs |
Rider weight |
Apollo Town
220 lbs |
Apollo Phantom V3
300 lbs |
Having a look over the specifications sheet, you’ll be able to see those electrical scooters pack slightly a punch. Nevertheless it’s now not simply uncooked energy that units the Apollo scooters aside, however the design and lines you get. The Town and Phantom V3 have a thumb throttle at the proper and a devoted regenerative braking throttle at the left to decelerate as a substitute of the hand brakes. The good thing about a regen brake is that it might probably recharge the battery via as much as 10% to provide you with just a little extra vary and in addition offers the mechanical brakes a damage from put on and tear. The scooters additionally function flip alerts to assist different automobiles see you coming.
The Apollo Town 2022 is a whole redesign from earlier fashions. Not like many electrical scooter producers that depend on OEM manufacturing, the use of mass-made portions you’ll see throughout competition, Apollo went totally customized with their design right here, crafting each part for what they consider to take care of the city surroundings absolute best. Positive, there are trendy touches, such because the show and headlights becoming flush inside the space-grey body, however there are numerous sensible options too.
At the Apollo Town, you’re getting self-healing tires that may ooze some gel to seal any punctures chances are you’ll come upon at the avenue. And you’ll want to persist with paved streets as this scooter isn’t supposed to be taken off-road. The self-healing generation isn’t there with the Phantom V3, however you’re getting harder pneumatic tires with a tread that may take care of hard-packed trails. It additionally comes with spare inside tubes in the event you get a puncture, and Apollo sells various spare portions, equivalent to alternative tires, you probably have a foul blowout.
Plus, if you have already got the Phantom V2, you’ll be able to get an improve package for handiest $499, together with the brand new larger, brighter show, up to date regen and acceleration throttles, battery adapter, and environment friendly M1 controller. The modular capability of those scooters is preferred because you don’t have to shop for a complete new scooter to benefit from all of the newest options.
Each scooters are foldable in order that they may be able to are compatible within the trunk of a automotive, however they’re each moderately heavy to hold. As for the meeting, the Apollo Town arrives able to journey, with just a few screws to mount the built-in handlebar and show. The Apollo Phantom V3, alternatively, calls for a bit of extra elbow grease. The handlebars, show, headlight, and regulate modules are all separate items that require set up, and there are a few wires to glue. They arrive with a toolkit with the entirety you wish to have to place them in combination, they usually arrive charged out of the field, so if you get them constructed, you’ll be able to journey them immediately.
What it’s love to journey the Apollo Phantom V3 and Town
Adam Birney / Android Authority
Till now, I had handiest ridden scooters below the $1,000 price bracket, and it was once a large soar ahead experiencing the high-performance area. For starters, the suspension and surprise absorption was once a pleasure. Only a few leisure scooters have suspension, however the springs in reality make a distinction, particularly when using every day. The Apollo Town sports activities two brilliant orange springs at the again and one up entrance, whilst the Phantom V3 has 4 in overall, with two on each side of the wheels. It makes for clean rolling over any bumps and cracks at the avenue, nevertheless it’s simply that a lot more buttery at the Phantom.
From the instant I stepped onto the scooters, I used to be hooked. The purr of the electrical motor, the wind streaming previous my helmet — it was once intoxicating.
The Apollo Town has a said most sensible pace of 28 mph, with its absolute best tools surroundings, which is masses speedy to overcome the site visitors the use of the motorbike lanes beside the principle avenue. It rarely slows down up inclines both, one thing that weaker motors on finances scooters generally tend to combat with. I did revel in some pace wobble at most sensible speeds with the Town, so I generally persist with round 20 mph simply to be secure, particularly within the busy inner-city site visitors. You additionally get 30 miles of vary, which was once greater than sufficient for me to commute to and from paintings (~6 miles) for a number of days on a unmarried rate.
As for the Phantom V3? It was once in contrast to the rest I’ve skilled status on two wheels, like strapping a rocket to my toes. It in reality is a complete different beast on the subject of pace. Maxing out at 41 mph in LUDO mode (brief for ludicrous), it was once lovely surreal to be going the similar pace as automobiles over the bridge and fun to look their shocked expressions as I rode parallel to them at the avenue. After all, it is important to put on right kind tools when going so speedy, equivalent to a helmet or even knee pads and elbow pads in case you’re taking a spill. In case you aren’t acquainted with using scooters, get pleased with the decrease tools settings ahead of you get started hitting the velocity prohibit.
Apollo’s new March 1 controller is the mind in the back of the journey, which Apollo says is 27% extra environment friendly than inventory controllers. A handy guide a rough press of the thumb throttle is all it takes to scoot forward of the pack and preventing will also be simply as sharp and surprising. The dealing with is far better than the Town at excessive speeds, and I at all times felt in regulate of my maneuvers. Once you hit the throttle, the scooter carries you away with its spacious deck and ultrawide handlebars. It’s gripping to journey, and I infrequently need to rate the scooter because it supplies 40 miles of vary (25 miles at max energy), which is excellent since it might probably take as much as 12 hours to fill up the depleted battery cells.
Any other function I respect is the flip alerts. Using a scooter, it may be demanding to make use of hand alerts as you may on a motorbike because it’s demanding to take care of stability whilst status with one hand at the handlebars. Right here it’s a lot more straightforward to do a handy guide a rough shoulder take a look at after which turn on the left or proper flip sign with the click of a button. At the Apollo Town, the reflective rear alerts are cleverly designed as an arrow form for extra visibility. At the Phantom V3, you get flip sign lighting fixtures at each the back and front of the deck, so automobiles in entrance of you’ll be able to see you coming of their rearview reflect. I’d have favored flip sign lighting fixtures on the finish of the handlebars as effectively for the reason that ones alongside the deck could be a little low for automobiles to look, however that may be a function Apollo is including of their upcoming Discover scooter, so there may well be an improve package to select up one day.
Talking of the handlebars, whilst the Phantom V3’s are extra ergonomic with an up-curved swooping form in comparison to the Town’s directly glance, I discovered the broader period made it tougher to succeed in the button controls, particularly at the left aspect the place I’ve to stretch my thumb previous the bell to press the throttle. The Town includes a extra trendy bell design with a lever up via the handbrakes, which was once a lot more straightforward to get admission to.
Let’s communicate concerning the Apollo Cellular app
Apollo isn’t the primary to have an accompanying cellular app for electrical scooters, however it can be probably the most helpful one I’ve examined. Except recording your commute’s distance and pace, you’ll be able to tweak numerous the settings for your scooter, such because the energy of the acceleration and braking reaction, how lengthy ahead of cruise regulate turns on, and the way lengthy your scooter will also be left on ahead of mechanically shutting down. You’ll be able to additionally set a customized max pace for Game mode for those who to find it too speedy or as a parental regulate measure for younger ones.
The app additionally has map analytics to trace the entirety about your rides, from period and moderate pace to how a lot battery you ate up and the temperature of the controller and motors. I didn’t notice how precious all this knowledge was once till I had it to be had. I quickly become a bit of of an information junkie, evaluating which routes would save probably the most battery lifestyles, how briskly I may race down the close by greenway, and which hills would warmth my motors probably the most as they powered up them.
Like Google Maps, you’ll be able to punch in a vacation spot, and the map gives you a course advice with an estimated time and distance of the commute, and you’ll be able to save your paintings and residential places for speedy instructions. When now not using the scooters, you’ll be able to lock them the use of the app in order that the wheels gained’t flip and can make a noise.
Every so often, I had a couple of problems pairing the app to my scooter over Bluetooth and must both restart the app or flip it off and on once more to get them to pair. However they by no means disconnected whilst I used to be recording a journey. There aren’t any advertisements, however Apollo additionally has a digital storefront within the app, which I didn’t consult with a lot however could be a fast solution to browse equipment or upgrades on your scooter.
Who’re those excessive scooters for?
Some readers might ponder whether using at those speeds on an electrical scooter is even prison. The solution will depend on the place you are living. In the United States, electrical scooters are totally prison with a motive force’s license in maximum states, and just a few states specify most pace limits, generally round 15 mph to twenty mph.
In my place of birth of Vancouver, BC, our metropolis is recently in a pilot program with pointers that aren’t in reality enforced. I continuously see other people with out helmets with a 2d passenger on deck with out end result. I requested Apollo how they really feel about this as a Canadian corporate promoting scooters that may achieve the velocity prohibit for automobiles. They mentioned that as a result of this is a gray space, they break out with it whilst at all times encouraging other people to be accountable. However extra importantly, scooters with those specifications are in reality what their shoppers are requesting as a substitute commuter automobile to one thing with a gas-guzzling engine.
Riders are requesting high-specced scooters as an alternative choice to gas-guzzling automotive engines.
And that’s the purpose. If we would like other people to undertake extra eco-friendly manner of transportation for his or her day by day shuttle and errands, I’m sorry to mention, however a low-end scooter with just a 500W motor and 20km of vary simply isn’t going to chop it. Plus, apart from commuters, supply drivers can get from A to B quicker with out being worried about parking on a extra tough and well-built scooter that feels secure.
It isn’t almost about the uncooked pace and gear, both. Imagine it or now not, some scooters can pass quicker, however they don’t have as many top class elements. In spite of the hardcore glance of Apollo’s scooters, I by no means felt at risk using them. Actually, as a result of the standard fabrics and durable body, I felt more secure than using a “legally” spec’d scooter with flimsy plastic fenders, reflective stickers, and no hydraulic brakes, suspension, or flip alerts.
Seeing how other each scooters glance from their first iterations displays me that Apollo is being attentive to the comments and issues of real-world riders. The IP54 and IP56 water resistance scores, plus small touches like oil portray over the space-grade aluminum alloy body to withstand corrosion, display that those scooters are able to resist the weather. Then there’s additionally the variety of equipment, equivalent to baggage for added garage, folding locks, or even cup holders.
Those micro-mobility two-wheelers are temporarily coming near features that rival automobiles when it comes to pace, raise weight, and vary, so why now not let other people journey them? Certainly it’ll require extra exact law with stricter enforcement and even perhaps a brand new license, however it’s imaginable to execute safely. As soon as once more, it’s the trend of generation evolving quicker than our prison programs can stay alongside of.
Apollo Phantom V3 and Town: Ultimate ideas
Adam Birney / Android Authority
My revel in with Apollo’s high-performance electrical scooters has revolutionized my day by day shuttle. The spectacular pace and gear of the Apollo Phantom V3 and the cozy, commuter-friendly design of the Apollo Town have modified my belief of what micro-mobility will also be. The agility, pace, and compact nature of those scooters lead them to greater than able to changing conventional automobiles for slicing throughout the concrete jungle.
The Apollo Town, with its customized design and self-healing tires, is perfect for city commuters looking for a competent, environment friendly, and amusing journey. However, the Apollo Phantom V3, with its mind-bending pace and vary, caters to thrill-seekers and long-distance riders with out compromising convenience or protection (supplied you put on the right kind apparatus).
The agility and pace of those scooters lead them to greater than able to changing conventional automobiles for slicing throughout the concrete jungle.
Additionally, it’s value bringing up that Apollo additionally provides a 3rd type: the Apollo Ghost. Even if I didn’t get the risk to check it, this type sits with ease between the Town and Phantom V3 when it comes to functionality and worth. The Ghost may well be value taking into consideration for those who’re in search of a stability of pace, energy, and price. All 3 can sync with the Apollo cellular app, which in spite of minor pairing problems, provides every other layer of customization, making your journey actually private and sensible.
However, if you wish to have one thing slower with comfy suspension and abundant vary, the Xiaomi 4 Ultra is a competent electrical scooter. It has twin suspension, a 500W motor, a 25km/hr most sensible pace, and 25 miles of vary. It’s a secure wager that meets the prison necessities for inner-city journeys however will not be sufficient “oompf” for the hardcore commuters Apollo appeals to.
As we glance to the long run, the prison panorama wishes to conform temporarily to deal with those complicated modes of delivery. Those high-performance scooters are testimony to the possibility of electrical micro-mobility in reshaping city landscapes, making them extra sustainable and environment friendly. In the end, it’s now not almost about the joys or the velocity; it’s about embracing a brand new, sustainable method of shifting round our towns this is sensible and thrilling.
Whilst it’s crucial to bear in mind the prison barriers and protection precautions when using those high-performance scooters, there’s no denying they’re a game-changer. We’re one step nearer to a long term the place site visitors jams are a factor of the previous, and the streets are bustling with those nimble, silent speedsters.
In case you use the widgets underneath to buy one in all Apollo’s electrical scooters, use the promo code ANDROIDAUTHORITY to avoid wasting $50 off equipment, upgrades, and spare portions.
Apollo Town 2022
Triple suspension • Regen brake • Self-healing tires • IP56 score
Function-built for commuting within the metropolis with taste.
The Apollo Town, with its customized design and self-healing tires, provides a competent and sensible resolution for city commuting. Its most sensible pace of 28mph, a max vary of 30 miles, and foldable body make it a handy selection on your day by day shuttle.
Apollo Phantom V3
Quad suspension • 66km/h most sensible pace • Regen brake • Flip alerts
A pace demon’s dream electrical scooter with unrivaled vary and dealing with.
The Apollo Phantom V3 is a powerhouse scooter with two 1200W motors and a most sensible pace of 41mph, and 40 miles of vary. It is very best for thrill-seekers or someone needing a secure, high-performance journey for his or her day by day shuttle.