This is the third Razor scooter I've owned. I'm a fairly large adult male who uses scooters to commute one mile each way in San Francisco. To start, a note on kick scooters: they're great! About 2-3 times faster than walking in a city. A 20 minute walk should turn into a 7-10 minute scooter ride. Obviously they're slower than bikes, but unlike bikes you can (a) ride them on the sidewalk, making them much safer; and (b) easily take them on a train/subway by storing them below a seat or in an overhead compartment. They're also relatively light, making them easy to carry around. Unlike a skateboard, you don't have to train to use one. What about electric scooters? They're fine but they're heavier, less portable, and give little to no exercise. Overall, kick scooters are a great commute option and are becoming more and more popular as a result. My previous scooters were both Razor A5 Luxes (Lux's?). The first one lasted about 18 months before breaking down, the second one about 12 months. Although they look like they're for kids, the A5 Lux is quite a high quality scooter at the $60-80 price point. They handle about the same and have similar features to more adult-looking scooters that cost around $200 (see Xootr or Micro Kickboard scooters for comparison). The main downside to the A5 Lux, as I mentioned, is the looks. The blue version has crazy colors and branding all over, like it was made for a middle-schooler. Which it probably was. The red version is a bit better, but the color mix and Razor branding still keeps it from looking like it was made for an adult. I'm a lawyer, and bringing a kiddy scooter into work (or worse, after-work or networking events around the city) started to feel embarrassing. For a while, I was thinking about dropping $200 on a Xootr or Micro Kickboard. Then I discovered the new Razor A5 Prime, Razor A6, and Razor A5 Lux DLX. Here's my impression of all three. The A5 Lux DLX is about the same price as the A5 Lux. The main difference is the addition of "anti-rattling technology" and a more neutral black/silver color scheme. The A6 has larger wheels. Instead of 8" wheels, they have 10" wheels. This is good for bumpy ground, potholes, etc. although the regular 8" wheels do just fine on most streets. It also has a higher handlebar, making it a good option for very large people (I'm 6' and don't need it). It has anti-rattling technology. The A5 prime is probably the most different. They're really shooting for the "adult" demographic with this one. My demographic. It has unique coloring, black and gunmental with a few red accents. The handlebar is slightly taller. Unlike the other models, the handlebars do not detach. They have custom foam grips, which are angular and thicker on the rider's side (touching your palms). It has an updated kickstand, which is made of rubber and goes straight down rather than off to the side. At least, those are the differences on paper. Here's what I noticed actually using the A5 Prime for a couple weeks. Note that I paid $110 for it, and I'm comparing to the A5 Lux DLX I could have had for around $80. PROS + I like the non-detachable handlebars. Never cared for that feature on the other scooters, and it makes this one sturdier. + very solidly built. It feels less likely to break than the A5 Lux. + coloring really is more adult than the A5 Lux. + the kickstand is a cool concept, if the execution could use some work (see below). The kickstands on the other models were basically useless, but this one actually works. + the grips are way better than the foam ones on other razors. + the wider kickboard is nice. + rattles a bit less. CONS - extra Razor branding. Most of it is removable though. - on my model at least, the folding mechanism is worse. The last version had a tab you could pull and it would easily lock into place. With this one, the screw-in anti-rattle technology means it isn't as easy to pull and doesn't lock into place as clearly. One time I tried to start going before it was locked (it seemed locked) and almost fell when the front collapsed on me. I now have to double check before I start going, which I didn't before. Inconvenient - see photo of the tab. - the custom grips are an improvement over the cheap foam ones on most razors, but I still don't really like them. I replaced them with black ODI grips pictured. - this thing is heavier than an A5 Lux, probably 30-50% heavier. A smaller person might not enjoy carrying it around. - the kickboard is lower to the ground, and the kickstand (which is encased in rubber) is even lower. This puts you pretty darn close to the ground. The rubber on my kickstand is already shredded from contact, and I've felt myself run atop of more things than on my previous scooters. See photo for damage after just a few weeks. - the handling feels slower and more syrupy. This may be the increased weight, but you aren't quite as nimble on it in my opinion. Overall, I think this is a solid scooter for the price, but I probably wouldn't choose it again. I'd probably spring for an A5 DLX if I wanted something cheap, or a Xootr/Micro if I wanted something more adult.
