GoTrax Apex LE Review: Pretty Enough To Eat, Reliable Enough To Ride

© Future / Michelle Rae Uy Zero

GoTrax Apex LE: Two-Minute Review

The GoTrax Apex LE is an interesting entry in the range of budget electric scooters. Cheap e-scooters tend to be low-quality and not as reliable as riders would like, but GoTrax seems to have gone to great lengths to make this one unique, and that's coming from someone who rides a lot.

This impressive e-scooter may not be as powerful or have the same range as the best electric scooters on the market, but it packs great performance, build quality and design for under $400/£400. This makes it a steal for the top ranking and one of the best electric scooters for college students.

As with most GoTrax electric scooters I've tested, some initial assembly is required. You still need to assemble and secure the handlebars and connect the brake cable to the handbrake, which may require some force or skill depending on your upper body strength. But beginners, fear not; The included guide does a good job of walking you through the process, and assembly shouldn't take more than 15 minutes.

The GoTrax Apex LE is also small, so at 14.5kg (32lbs) it should be easy to handle. The folding mechanism also makes it easy to use: pull the pin then click to fold the lever, or pull the pin and click to open. There is a hook attached to the rear fender to secure this bar when folded, which can also be used to hook up your bag while riding.

Its size is not its only beauty factor. The first thing that caught my eye was that it comes in four different color variants, including pink and white. Most people don't care for the black-on-black aesthetic that electric scooters have embraced, but I'm sick of it, which makes the Apex LE even more appealing to me.

Since this is a budget model, you have to go back to basics. There aren't many fancy features here, although there is cruise control, it's very easy to turn on and off (hold the accelerator to activate, double tap to turn off). But even the LED dash has limited functionality: it doesn't offer you different driving modes or levels, for example, it's not visible in direct sunlight. Plus, it's only IPX4 rated, so I wouldn't take it out on a rainy day or drive it through puddles.

But while it compromises on features, it doesn't compromise on build quality. I've tried many cheap electric scooters that are hard to ride because of wobbly parts, but the Apex LE is solid and well built inside and out. In fact, it has a maximum load limit of 220 pounds (99.8 kg). It's not too harsh for something smaller than other models.

If you are tall, especially if you have big feet, I would try this platform first. It's not very roomy because it's thin and narrow, and it doesn't help that the platform doesn't offer a lot of storage space. At least it helps keep you safe with its bright front light and responsive tail light; Despite the lack of advanced safety features, I still practice riding an e-scooter safely.

The good news is that the GoTrax Apex LE braking system is amazing and another feature you don't always see on electric scooters in this price range. The braking system is a front electromagnetic brake and a rear disc brake and is very sensitive and strong. Most importantly, it offers a lot of control and I felt confident going down the hill on a tight single track with heavy traffic.

Although GoTrax calls it a scooter, you don't have to throw it that far for it to work. The throttle takes a second to start which is weird. Capable of propelling an accidentally powerful rider up a 10-degree incline, however, the 250W motor is surprisingly fast. During the test, even with a 77kg rider, it went up a hill at a good speed, but clearly not at 25km/h.

The way I rode on gravel and dirt (read: hills). It doesn't have shocks (I felt every pebble on the dirt roads and was rewarded with a massive headache for my efforts), but the engine had more than enough traction to handle those beautiful roads and its 8.5-inch tires. I slipped on the loose ground and did not walk on the street.

By the way, you can cruise at that top speed, but you won't go over 18mph at this price. Most e-scooter-friendly cities also have speed limits, so you won't be able to take full advantage of the 56 km/h (35 mph) model on your daily commute.

Speaking of the daily commute, a battery life of up to 18 miles on a single charge means you'll need to charge every day or every other day, depending on how long your commute is. Unfortunately, at this price, a compromise has to be made and here's one. On the plus side, I've noticed that the battery holds juice quite well when not in use, so you don't have to worry about charging it as often when you need to work.

[Product]: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $349/£291/$525
• When is it available? now i can get it
• Where to get it Available in the US, UK and Australia.

The GoTrax Apex LE is cheaper as a chip at $349/£291/$525 in the US, UK and Australia respectively. While there are other electric scooters in this price range, I haven't seen anything cheaper that's as strong or capable. For this reason I give five out of five points.

However, if you're a little more flexible with your budget, I recommend buying the NIU KQi3 Pro. Or if you want something with a much longer range, the TurboAnt V8 dual battery is also a good and affordable option. However, none of them are as cheap as the Apex LE.

GoTrax Apex LE Specifications

Should I buy a GoTrax Apex LE?

If so, buy...

Looking for a reliable and affordable electric scooter?

In terms of performance, GoTrax Apex LE punches above its weight.

Your budget is tight.

If you are looking for the best electric scooter for every day, this is one of the best options out there.

Are you a student who needs a convenient way to get to work?

Whether you need something to walk across campus or run to work, this is a great solution.

If so, please don't buy it...

You have money

If you can afford it, why not buy a more efficient electric scooter?

You need good shock absorption

Shock absorption isn't the Apex LE's forte. You have a headache while driving on a dirt road.

She lives in the mountains.

It maintains good speed uphill with a 10 degree incline, but not much with a 15-20 degree incline.

GoTrax Apex LE: Think again

How I tested GoTrax Apex LE

• I spent a few weeks with GoTrax Apex LE.
• I went on both paved roads and rough roads and hilly roads.
• I have tested its performance and functionality in real life situations.

After driving the GoTrax Apex LE for the first time in a large parking lot and realizing it was more capable than it looked, I pushed it around to see how it handled various road conditions.

I went up and down hills and tested the brakes to see if the tire could provide enough traction and how well (or poorly) it soaked up bumps. Of course, I also tested the battery life. And while there aren't many features here, I'm sure I'll go over the basics it offers.

I have been a regular user of electric scooters for years and have tested and reviewed many of the best models on the market.

Learn more about how we test

First review in March 2023

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