I’ve been using electric scooters in Dublin City since before they were legal. As much as I’d like to think that makes me sound cool, I realise it absolutely does not. I’m reminded of this most times I catch my reflection as a rotund 37 year old male. That said, what a scooter makes you feel matters too. And the Pure Advance Flex electric scooters, sent over to me by the folks at LOCO in Dublin, sure does put a smile on my face.
Here’s what I’ve learned from commenting on the Advance Flex for the past few months.
Design
There are plenty of talking points, in terms of design, when it comes to Pure’s Advance Flex. The obvious starting point is the fact that this is designed to be a compact folding electric scooter. There are plenty of reasons why you might want a folding scooter, one stealth commuters will like – I’ll cover that in a bit. But regardless of “why” you want a folding scooter, that design choice shouldn’t impact the ride experience.
One great use case for me was dropping my car for a service in Dundrum. I lobbed the scooter into the boot and saved myself about 15 minutes each way on public transport.
Thankfully, the Advance Flex is an absolute joy to ride. Despite multiple hinges and pivot points for this scooter to fold, the overall unit is remarkably sturdy. In fact, I generally forget this is a folding scooter as I don’t really have to fold it that often. I have several times to test sturdiness, but once together – this is a genuinely well built unit.
It feels like every bit of the scooter flips and flaps to get as small as possible, giving “transformer” vibes when you unfold everything and flap down the footplates (more on them in a bit too).
The next “must discuss” design point, and arguably as important as the folding feature if not more so, is the forward facing stance you take on the Advance Flex. Typically, you ride electric scooters in a side stance. Your body takes on an unusual twisted shape that, to be honest, I never really thought was that tough. The Advance Flex has two foot paddles either side of the body. The result is you stand facing forward, similar to what you would have seen on Segway years ago.
It’s IP65 waterproof, but I’d take that with a pinch of salt. And at just over 16kg, you won’t be carrying the scooter far, but it’s definitely on the lighter side of similarly priced models (considerably so versus LOCO’s own Motion Pro). You can get foldable bike bags that you can pop this scooter into, which is where I return to stealth commuters.
This isn’t something I’m recommending or condoning, but the broad sweeping ban on electric scooters on public transport is more than a little irritating for commuters. I understand not all scooters are made to EU standards, but this absolutely is. So you should be allowed bring this anywhere people bring folding e-bikes. Because it’s folding in nature and can be popped in a bag, I doubt you’d be stopped on most modes of public transport for your “bike” bag – and just have a brass neck and a set of peddles if you do!
Again, I don’t condone that – but if you’re a chancer in the market for a scooter to take on public transport, this is kind of the only option.
There are a few little features I really like on the Advance Flex too. Every scooter, as standard, should have indicators. With a throttle on the right side always needing input – taking a hand off for hand signals is just a no go. Even with cruise set, I find myself unable, or at least uncomfortable, giving hand signals. The Advance Flex has indicators in two positions. Left and right of the foot paddles and the handlebars. This gives the added bonus of increased visiblity of your intent and I do feel more comfortable that motorists in busy Dublin traffic have seen where I’m heading.
The scooter also has an adjustable headlight. “So what” says you. Well I sometimes know keeping a light on the road is more important than straight on. Potholes are the biggest stationary danger for any scooter rider and an adjustable light means I can keep an eye on the literal road.
Finally, being self centred isn’t always bad. This scooter’s handlebar has a return to centre feature. Just a smidge of resistance that pulls the handlebar back to centre after turning. This is a subtle thing, but for that moment you need to scratch your nose or something, you have more comfort riding with one had. Still not enough for hand signals for me – but I like this addition.
With all of those design features, what will your experience riding the scooter be like so?
Ride experience
Pure has made some really bold choices with the Advance Flex, somewhat tearing up the electric scooters blueprint and going back to the drawing board. The result is something different and something fun.
Riding straight on is an odd feeling getting started and a few times my brain had to think fast to keep up with throttle controls (still not sure what I did but the scooter popped a wheelie!), but overall it’s very comfortable. Surprisingly so.
My very first impression of the stance was, while quite easy to get used to, the handlebars feel oddly low. I spent a few minutes trying to increase the height only to be told by a rep – “that’s as high as they go”. I’m only 177cm tall – nearly wider than I am tall – but this was the big change that took some getting used to. I constantly feel like I’m leaning forward. It bordered on unnerving for a bit, but I’ve gotten used to it.
Surely taller riders will find this very weird. I recommend a test drive if you’ve ever felt tall.
The big selling point of the Advance Flex is the power. I’m a big boy, yet this scooter gets up to it’s max speed of 20 kmph very quickly and is well able to hold it going up medium-gradient hills too.
The power, stability, stance all come together to make this a guaranteed commute with a smile – something I’ve always said scooters can deliver better than any other mode of transport.
I was lucky enough to also get a quick spin on a UK version of the Advance Flex – which was a double edge sword. The Advance Flex that LOCO sells is fully road legal for Ireland. That means motor limits, weight limits and most importantantly – speed limits. If you get pulled by the Gardai for a dyno test, you will be grand. But I have to be totally honest, the 20 kmph speed limit feels pedestrian at times. The UK version I had a spin on was limited to 25 kmph and it makes a world of difference.
I’ve been overtaken by elderly cyclists and left for dust at 20 kmph. I’ve felt not having a little more speed to get an overtake done safely – adds danger. There is no reason why scooters, in general in Ireland, don’t follow the UK limit of 25 kmph. Any other product would be given the same specs as the UK to ensure ease of distribution.
Sorry – started ranting there.
Finally, I have to talk about battery. Now, the product specs will have you believe this scooter can do 52km on a single charge. That’s utter nonsense based on perfect lab conditions. I commute twice a week on this scooter covering about 13km in total. I find that if I have one extra 6km spin in the middle, I’d be goosed without charging.
Being totally transparent, this is an estimate, but I’d say the real world range of the Advance Flex is much closer to 16km – but your physical composition and preferred routes mean all mileage will vary.
Smart Features
There are a few smaller features of the Advance Flex worth noting. Slightly above footnotes, but I want to include them. The companion app gives you everything you’d want and expect. You can adjust the scooters cruise options (which lets you hold speed without throttle – very nice to be honest).
You can also lock the scooter with a pin. Living in Dublin I really like this. It means that if someone cuts your lock, the motor will lock up the wheels to make nicking the scooter near impossible.
The Goosed Verdict
The Advance Flex has made some bold choices. Really bold. Yet every one of them seems to have paid off, or perhaps most importantly, just not messed up the electric scooter experience. I utterly love riding the Advance Flex.
I don’t really think there’s much different between riding side stride or straight on if you’re looking for big USPs to big one scooter over another. But this is a fantastic piece of kit that, for once, didn’t make me feel like I’m just too big for a scooter. In every sense of the phrase.
The Pure Advance Flex is available today from LOCO, priced at approximately €849.
