Brakes are what keep you safe while riding your e-scooter around town or commuting to and from get off work, so they have to work well in every situation. When you're looking to buy an electric scooter, brakes are undoubtedly one of the most important considerations you need to consider.

Electric scooter brakes have a history dating back to the late 1990s and early 2000s. The original electric scooters mainly used friction brakes, similar to the design of traditional scooters - foot brakes. This braking system is simple and easy to operate, but the braking effect is limited when driving at high speeds or on uneven roads.

In this article, we'll take a look at the different types of e-scooter brakes available today, their pros and cons, and how to better maintain your brake system.

 

Different Types of Electric Scooter Brakes

As technology has improved and electric scooters have risen, braking systems have also improved. Currently, electric scooters generally use two types of brakes: mechanical brakes and electronic brakes.

Mechanical Brake

# Foot Brake

Foot brakes are the simplest type of braking system, and almost all low-end electric scooters have foot brakes. Foot brakes work by using your foot to depress the hinged fenders that sit above the rear tires, creating friction on the wheels and bringing you to a slow stop.

Advantages of Foot Brakes:

• Simple and inexpensive.
• Easy to operate, suitable for beginners and daily riding.
• High reliability, less prone to technical failures.

Disadvantages of foot brakes:

• The braking effect is relatively weak, especially at high speeds or on slippery roads.
• Friction materials wear out quickly and need to be replaced periodically.
• The braking force is difficult to control, and it is easy to cause the electric scooter to be unbalanced or the sliding distance is too long.

 

# Drum Brake

Drum brakes on electric scooters are a common braking system, similar to those used on cars and motorcycles. It is enclosed within the hub and has brake shoes or pads that push the brake pads outward into contact with the drum, creating friction to slow the rotation.

Advantages of Drum Brakes:

• Durable and low maintenance.
• Reliable in wet weather.
• Longer service life than other types of brakes due to the larger contact area.

Disadvantages of Drum Brakes:

• Great braking power.
• It needs regular inspection and maintenance, and the operation is more complicated.
• It is usually bulkier and adds to the overall weight of the scooter compared to other braking systems.

 

# Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are a high-performance braking system that usually consists of a brake disc, brake caliper, and brake pads. It uses friction to generate braking force, and the brake pads are clamped by the brake disc and brake caliper to slow or stop the motion of the electric scooter.

There are three types of disc brakes:

• Hydraulics: Hydraulic disc brakes consist of a fully hydraulic system that extends from the brake lever to a piston in the caliper. As with semi-hydraulic brakes, the hydraulic pistons inside the calipers remain, but the steel brake cables are replaced by brake lines filled with hydraulic fluid. When you pull the brake lever, brake fluid is forced out of the small cylinder by the plunger. This fluid is then forced into the brake lines. When the fluid in the brake lines is under pressure, it forces hydraulic pistons in the calipers to squeeze the brake pads against the brake discs. This creates friction and causes the scooter to slow down.

• MUKUTA 10PLUS uses hydraulic disc brakes.

• Semi-hydraulic: Semi-hydraulic disc brakes are similar to fully hydraulic brakes, but instead of hydraulic lines from the lever to the caliper, they use cables. A cable runs from the brake lever to the caliper and moves a hydraulic piston when activated. They have fairly strong and consistent stopping power.

• Cable-controlled: Most mechanical cable-actuated disc brakes are activated by a brake lever. Pulling on it shortens the brake cable, which is connected to the brake caliper. The brake caliper mechanically transmits force to cause the brake pads to pinch the rotor. You might feel more resistance from the cables on mechanical disc brakes over hydraulic disc brakes, as there’s often more friction.

Advantages of Disc Brakes:

• Excellent braking power.
• High-temperature resistance.
• Better brake control performance, the rider can more precisely adjust the braking force for smooth braking.

Disadvantages of Disc Brakes:

• The structure and installation are complex.
• May require occasional adjustments and maintenance.
• Higher weight and cost.

 

Electronic Brake

Brakes for e-scooters are constantly evolving, and they have taken another step forward in the past few years with the introduction of electronic brakes. This is a new technology, activated by a switch that shorts the terminals inside the motor, effectively increasing the resistance to the motor's rotation.

Advantages of Electronic Brakes:

• Easy to operate, braking by the handle or other electronic control methods.
• The braking response is fast and can provide relatively stable braking performance.

Disadvantages of Electronic Brakes:

• Requires battery power, once the battery is depleted, the braking effect may be affected.
• Additional maintenance and care may be required.

 

Regenerative Brake

The regenerative braking of the electric scooter is a special braking system, which uses the reverse working principle of the motor of the electric scooter to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is fed back to the battery to charge and achieve the braking effect at the same time.

Advantages of Regenerative Braking:

• Low maintenance and lightweight.
• Minor energy recovery.
• It decelerates and stops more comfortably, providing a better ride than conventional braking systems.

Disadvantages of Regenerative Braking:

• Lackluster braking performance.
• Some electronic braking systems are poorly implemented and prone to failure.

 

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) of an electric scooter is a brake control system designed to prevent the wheels from locking up during emergency braking. It monitors the rotation speed of the wheels through the electronic control unit and sensors and automatically adjusts the brake pressure to maintain the rotation state of the wheels, providing a more stable braking effect.

Advantages of ABS:

• Prevent slipping.
• Safer braking, especially during emergency stops and high-speed driving.
• Improved traction control.

Disadvantages of ABS:

• ABS involves electronic control units, sensors, hydraulic systems, and other components. It has a higher complexity and risk of failure than conventional braking systems. Therefore, this system is almost only used in large-scale models such as motorcycles and automobiles. At present, electric scooters have not yet been adopted and are still under development.
• Installing ABS requires additional parts and equipment, which add weight to the scooter and increase manufacturing costs.
• ABS is power dependent and therefore requires battery support. ABS may not work properly when the battery is low.

 

Novices Must Know: How to Maintain the Brake System

We recommend that you check and test your brakes before each ride to make sure they are working properly. However, sometimes you need to perform certain maintenance tasks to keep them in good condition.

# How often should I check the brakes?

It is important to check your brakes before every ride. Give them a thorough visual inspection to see that everything is in the correct place, then check that they are working properly.

It's also worth scheduling a regular brake service every 4-6 months, depending on how often you use your scooter.

 

# Electric Scooter Brake Maintenance Suggestions:

• Regularly Check Brake Lines
  Check the brake cable for damage, fraying, or looseness. Make sure that the brake pipeline is firmly connected and that there is no air leakage or air leakage.

 

• Check Brake Discs and Pads
  Check brake discs and pads for wear. If the brake pads are worn excessively or the brake discs are obviously worn, cracked, or deformed, they should be replaced in time.

 

• Clean Brake System
  Regularly clean brake rotors and pads to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities. It can be cleaned with detergent and a soft brush, but be careful not to let the detergent get on other sensitive parts.

 

• Adjust the Brake Handle or Pedal Position
  Make sure the brake handle or pedal position is suitable for the rider's operation, not too loose or too tight. The rider should be able to operate the braking system with ease and accuracy.

 

• Check Brake Feel and Braking Effect
  Regularly test the feel and braking effect of the braking system. Make sure the brakes feel responsive and work well, with no unusual brake noises or rattles.

 

• Regular Care and Maintenance
  Perform regular maintenance according to the manufacturer's recommendations. This may include lubricating the brake system, checking and tightening captive screws, changing brake fluid, etc.

*Please Note: These are general maintenance recommendations only, specific brake maintenance methods may vary by scooter model and manufacturer. Therefore, it is recommended to consult the instruction manual of the electric scooter or consult a professional technician for detailed maintenance guidance for specific models.

 

Conclusion

In general, the braking system of electric scooters has been continuously improved and innovated in technology. From the original friction braking to electronic braking and regenerative braking, the braking performance and effect have been significantly improved, providing the rider with a safer and more reliable braking experience.

It should be noted that different brands and models of electric scooters may use different braking systems and technologies. When choosing an electric scooter, you can consider the types, advantages, and disadvantages of brakes according to your needs and preferences, and make sure you choose the scooter that suits you. In addition, the normal use and regular maintenance of the brakes are also important factors to ensure safety and braking performance.