I clearly remember the time when skates and skateboards were the coolest things growing up. Not only was it limited to being a leisure activity but it soon became a sport to glide in style, exhibit balance and control and everyone got obsessed with constantly finding new cool tricks to do on wheels.
Well, even after so many years the allure and craze of skates have remained intact. Moreover, the fan base has expanded, and the demand has increased exponentially. So tech caught up with it to increase coolness quotient and thus gliding in style also entails hoverboards and self-balancing e-skates.
Segway Brand Review
Before we unfurl a detailed review of Segway Drift W1, let’s make a quick pit stop at the company that manufactures Drift W1. The company is called Segway, and it has an inspiring origin story. Inventor Dean Kamen one day saw a young man on a wheelchair struggling to get over a sidewalk.
This led to a realization that the general design of structures has a balance at its core. It is such that it supports people who could balance. With this in mind, he, along with his team, created a mobility device that enables users to climb stairs and negotiate uneven surfaces.
The name Segway came from the word segue, which means – to transition smoothly from one state to another. Segway transforms a person into an empowered pedestrian, allowing him/her to go farther, move more quickly and carry more. Segway has also uploaded safety videos, studies, manuals and guidelines on company’s official website.
Segway Minipro Vs Segway Drift W1
| Features | Segway Drift W1 | Segway Minipro |
|---|---|---|
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| Speed | Segway Drift W1 is made to bring out powerful performance which can run upto the top speed of 12 miles per hour. |
The Segway Minipro is uniquely designed to bring the maximum speed that ranges around 10 Miles per hour |
| Battery Capacity | A single and fully charged ride session can last upto 45 mins in the top speed. |
On a single and fully charged battery, you can ride the Segway Minipro upto 14 miles ( based on the terrain and speed) |
| Model type | A revolutionary product that comes in the shape of inverted triangle where the rider can place the foot on the hovershoes to start the versatile ways of effortless riding. |
The Segway Minipro is a scooter which is built with self- balancing technology for a smooth riding experience |
| Weight Capacity | The skates can carry upto 220 lbs, which is suitable for both adults and kids |
The strong rubber tires can carry upto 220lbs weight. |
| Smart phone connectivity | Cannot be connected to smart phone as this feature sis not enabled in the hovershoes. |
The technology used in Segway Minipro enables it to get connected with your smart phone and can be controlled using the mobile app. |
| Design | These are self-balancing hovershoes, that comes with the most innovative idea of just balancing it with your foot. Single or double skates can be used |
These are self-balancing hoverboards that comes in sleek design. |
| Certifications | UL2272 certification is provides as it is free from explosion and damage. |
The Segway brand is one the most trusted as it provides UL2272 certificate that ensures safety. |
| Weight | Two hovershoes would weight not more than 15.5 pounds which makes it easy to be carried. |
The product weighs around 37 pounds that makes it stable and safe to ride. |
Description
Segway Drift W1 e-skate are portable hover shoes. It has two separate e-skates which offer you endless possibilities to dance, do tricks and manoeuvre effortlessly.
The self-balancing system, which is implemented using microprocessors, a set of sophisticated tilt sensors and gyroscopic sensors, enables segway to maintain balance easily. The only thing that you need to do is to steer and lean with your weight. Sensors detect whenever you tilt even if it is slight tilt, it turns the wheels at just the right speed, and you move forward.
The battery is monitored by a Smart Battery Management System to prevent overheating and overcharging. It has ambient lights on the front and rear. It is a modern way to move with a unique design made of good quality material. It has always been Segway’s vision to produce environmentally friendly, short-distance transportation alternatives.
Well, with around 18 years of research on this product, Segway has designed and manufactured perfectly portable, durable, safe and lightweight segway shoes. This product satisfies customer needs and delivers according to their expectations from the brand.
Segway electric shoes are not just the latest fad, but with the speed of 12 km/h, it is faster than walking, energy-efficient and less taxing which promise to provide 45 minutes of comfortable non-stop riding without the need for a recharge.
Features:
Keeps you safe
Segway electric shoes come with anti-slip foot mat that provides your feet with a good grip in order to minimize the probability of falling. It also maximizes comfort by preventing your feet sliding off of the foot mat. These e-skates do not have any strap on for fastening shoes like in regular skates which makes it the responsibility of foot mats to provide proper adherence besides the rider can step off immediately in case of an emergency…
The 10 mm rubber bumpers at the front and rear of segway skates not only minimize damage to the device but also cushion the impact in case you run into any obstacle by mistake.
Itself is safe and secure
Safe and secure – IP54 rated protection which permits you to ride segway e-skates in all weather conditions. IP is a standard for testing the effectiveness of electrical devices against foreign particles such as water, dirt, non-corrosives, etc. internationally. IP54 – Protected from water spray from any direction. Thus it is certified as water-resistant that means it would not skid on slippery surfaces.
Flame retardant polycarbonate – the shell of Segway Drift W1 segway shoes is made up of flame retardant polycarbonate which conforms to the fire protection rating, improves aesthetic delicacy and offers excellent build quality.
These segway shoes have a durable magnesium aluminium frame and can easily carry weight up to 100 kgs. The smart battery management system and the battery is encased in dual protection covers that meet the UL standards. UL certification is the criteria to vouch for an electronic product to be free of any manufacturing flaws.
Doesn’t die on you (for at least 45 minutes)
Smart Battery Management System – Lithium battery design with dual protection that meets the UL standards. Segway Drift W1 self-balancing skates are a device modelled on efficiency and comfort. To bring about a mobility revolution, it is vital to monitor battery wisely. This system prevents overheating of device, over-charging, short-circuiting and takes care of voltage fluctuations. It also manages auto-sleep, auto-balance and auto-wake.
It keeps a check on battery usage throughout. Once completely charged segway shoes can take you on an adventure for a full 45 minutes. And it takes around 3 hours to charge completely from 0% until the fully charged battery of both skates.
Spindle shaped tread design
High-end engineering that everyone expects from Segway, which aims for a mobility revolution. In order to achieve proper grip and resistance Segway Drift W1 – segway shoes adopt spindle-shaped tread design and a very powerful hub motor which can go from zero to 12 km/h in no time. It also has a low chassis.
Although it has no binding, it is difficult to fall down; in fact, this enables you to get on and off easily. It has lights on the front and rear which are initially blue. Segway Drift W1 grants you with three different light modes which can be activated by pressing the on/off button for 3 seconds.
Compact and lightweight
With a total weight of 7kg Segway Drift W1 is portable and can be carried around easily in one hand or in a bag. It is important for segway self-balancing skates to weigh less in order to facilitate portability as these are aimed for short term commute.
To further enhance portability segway shoes have elastic bands at the bottom, allowing you to carry a pair in one hand. Segway e-skates are not strapped on in any way and no bulky structure, unlike roller skates. It is also security friendly you can also carry it in your luggage on trains, planes and cruises.
Wheels you efficiently
Durable wheels – At the core of the success of any transportation, the device is the quality of wheels. The wheels need to be of the right size, right material and rightly placed in the structure for maximum efficiency and perfect balance. This facilitates precision steering and easy manoeuvre amongst crowds. Segway Drift W1 uses wheels that are an anti-collision and anti-skidding.
Wheels are the legs of the device, vital in balancing while in motion or on standby. Segway Drift W1 – segway shoes have a fusiform shape with the wheels specially designed to increase riding stability and steering capabilities.
Specifications
| Maximum Speed | 12 km/h |
| Net Weight | 3.5 kg each skate |
| Battery | 44.4 WH |
| Appropriate age | 6 + years |
| Max Inclination | 10 degrees |
| Max Weight (of driver) | 10 – 100 kgs |
| Water Resistance | IP54 |
| Reach | 45 min |
| Dimension | 162 X 121 mm |
- Segway Drift W1 can attain a maximum speed of 12 km/h that is about three times faster than walking.
- It roles smoothly on uneven surfaces and provide maximum riding comfort and balance. Segway Drift W1 glamorises walking be its paved roads, bumpy sidewalk, granite, tiles, carpeted floor or a wooden floor.
- Weighing only 7 kg, it can still manoeuvre up to 100 kg weight easily.
- It can provide you with a full 45-minute ride before it needs to be charged again.
- Segway Drift W1 segway shoes have lights on head and tail with three different flashing modes.
- It is lightweight, which makes it perfect for carrying around easily. But that doesn’t mean it compensates in any way, segway skates may look small, but they are fitted with a very powerful hub motor.
- Segway e-skates are an eco-friendly and zero carbon emission alternative for many of the short journeys that are typically made by car.
- Easy to learn and navigate. Its swift innovative design allows you to steer precisely and pass through crowds with no intricacy.
- The rubber bumpers at the front and rear protect during impact in case you bump into something.
- Perfect for indoors as well as outdoors on paved surfaces for new trendsetters.
- You can also carry it in your luggage on trains, planes and cruises.
- Segway Drift W1 segway shoes are dirt resistant, water-resistant as well as flame resistant.
- Helmets and knee pads are sold separately.
- Can manage non-frequent bumps but inefficient against obstacles and constantly bumpy roads.
- Available in only one colour combination – black and white.
Why should you choose Segway Drift W1
Segway Drift W1 is safer than hoverboards. It is even safer than roller skates.
When hoverboards had just come into the market, many cheap copies were made using low-quality material. This resulted in overheating of the battery and the hoverboard catching fire. This is why it is of utmost importance that you buy the right device from a reliable brand and inspect whether all the safety guidelines and standards were followed especially electronic devices.
Segway is a reputed company which prioritizes consumer safety.
Segway-Ninebot is the world’s leading provider of personal electric transportation, valued at over 1.5 billion USD. Their business covers more than 80 countries and regions around the world. Over six million users purchase products and services from Segway-Ninebot each year.
Segway Drift W1 allows the rider to ride spontaneously and balances easily with each foot. It is easy to learn for beginners. For experienced riders, it is an opportunity to experience the excitement of a variety of challenging riding and freestyle options. Two e-skates present you with infinite possibilities to do cool new tricks and keep finding even cooler tricks.
If we have to give a one-line Segway Drift W1 review, then we would say it is a fun and sustainable lifestyle built on innovative personal mobile technology. Safety, portability, adventure, thrill, offering all this in one pair of e-skates, Segway never fails to please its customers.
Some people might be sceptical of the fact that it doesn’t provide any fastening mechanism to buckle it with shoes which make them look a bit unsafe for kids as there is a greater chance of falling. Our team has tried and tested Segway Drift W1 – segway shoes, and it has given surprised us positively. Although it can be a bit intimidating for beginners like it is when you try roller skates for the first time. But once you get the hang of it, then you wouldn’t want to step down.
Wear protective gear like helmet, knee pads and elbow pads. Take it slow initially, do not glide at full throttle, start off lightly and go slow while turning. Keep your posture straight and don’t bend your knees too often. This is pretty much the same beginners’ guidelines that are provided before you get on any new mobility device.
Segway Drift W1 is fit for people of all ages above 6. You can create memorable experiences by riding along with your family or friends.
Segway Drift W1 is fit for people of all ages above 6. You can create memorable experiences by riding along with your family or friends. If it suits your budget, then you should definitely indulge in buying Segway Drift W1. It also makes for a great gift. You will get a surreal travel experience and a level of freedom that is tough to replicate with any other tech-powered transportation.
