Apollo City Review

Design

Handlebars

Sporting two folding sleeves that are spring-loaded and with threaded insides, either side of the handlebars can be easily screwed and tightened into place. Although, these handlebars do come with a word of warning: the screw mechanism tends to loosen itself on longer rides, meaning you have to re-tighten the handlebars before and after each ride. This isn’t a safety issue but more an annoyance.

However, where the handlebars come into their own is their adjustability. The height of them can be customized to suit a variety of postures, so you don’t need to worry about being stuck with a one size fits all approach. The only point I’ll emphasize here, though, is that if you are over 6 ft tall, the stem can only stretch to a maximum of 39 inches from the deck meaning it runs a little short causing you to hunch over.

Despite this, if you are under 6 ft, you can look forward to a comfortable riding stance. Not only do the wide handlebars afford good control over the steering column, the texturized rubber grips mean you’ll affix a firm hold.

Also home to the important controls, the handlebars are where you’ll find your all-important QS-S4 console. This displays your speed, distance traveled, and battery level, as well as allowing you to flit between the 3 different riding modes. You can also alter some settings like instant acceleration or kick-and-go functionality to tailor the City to your riding preferences.

Frame

More petite than other Apollo rides, the City is designed for a sleeker city ride, rather than hefty off-road trails, which is why it’s more slender and elegant. However, true to Apollo form, it still sports those touches of color and flourishes of blue, white, and black that keep it in check with Apollo’s original brand styling (before they stripped out the blue to reveal a stealthier range of scooters including the Ghost and Phantom).

Retaining the vibrant, yet classy appearance, the City glimmers with a pop of color that lets you know it’s arrived, and with a compact folding design its frame sits in the pool of the elites when it comes to portability.

Deck

Black with blue accents and a touch of white for good measure, the deck is as pretty as it is roomy, with enough space for one foot to take the foremost position and the other at the rear almost perpendicular.

It’s not as wide as the decks on higher performance models, but it's on par with the majority of commuter scooters in its class. One thing that makes it stand out, though, is that, unlike other models such as the Turboant X7 Pro which sports a uniformly patterned rubber matting, the deck is covered in geometrically cutout grip tape. Plus, if we circle back to the City’s long-lost twin, the Zero 9, this scooter has a trio of grip tape columns that adorn the edges and center of the deck. The City’s design is far superior since a larger surface area is covered with sandpaper-like material.

What’s more, under-deck lighting gives this ride a futuristic underside that we don’t often see on scooters of its ilk.

Wheels

One of the most important features on any scooter is the wheels – they're what get you from A to B after all. The City sports a pair of 8.5 inch pneumatic (air-filled) tires that do a great job for urban dwellers. Not only are they pliable, meaning they maintain traction with the irregularities of roads, but their relatively small profile keeps the scooter compact whilst also remaining nimble.

Both of the wheels are equipped with mechanical brakes – a drum in the rear and a disc in the front. They do a great job at delivering reliable stopping power alongside the grippy rubber tread that minimizes unwanted slip and slide.

Despite being filled with air and boasting shock absorption qualities, the tires are only able to soak up so much of the impact from rough roads, and while the suspension smoothes out the brunt of the vibrations, they don’t fair as well as scooters with larger, more plush tires. However, if you stick to well-maintained roads and sidewalks, the City delivers a level of ride quality that is among the best in its commuter class.

Build Quality & Durability

A small but mighty scooter, don’t let the small frame fool you – it’s a scooter that proves big isn’t always best, because this compact ride still packs a real punch.

Sitting within the Apollo family, it comes as no surprise that this scooter is of top-tier build quality. Its body is forged from durable aluminum and can support riders up to 265 lbs. Plus, the IP54 water-resistant rating, which is all too rare on electric scooters, means that it’s protected from water spray in any direction.

Able to travel speeds of up to 25 mph, it’s essential that this scooter inspires trust and confidence, and it does just that. From the hard-wearing metal alloy of the frame to the robust plastic and rubber used elsewhere, it can endure the wear and tear of everyday life.

Plus, when it comes to durability, Apollo backs up its scooters with one of the longest warranties in the industry. It provides 12 months warranty cover for manufacturing defects and a further 12 months for repair costs, meaning you only pay what it costs Apollo to fix your scooter (i.e. they don't add any service fees on top). Typically, retailers will only cover you for 12 months, after which your warranty will be void, leaving you potentially having to either buy a brand new scooter or pay inflated costs for repairs.

The only area that would benefit from refinement would be the foldable handlebars which can loosen as you ride. This isn’t unique to the Apollo City and is why other scooters, like the EMOVE Cruiser, just use tension cuffs to lock the handlebars into place (i.e. they don’t screw into place).

Weight & Load

The City has been built with commuters in mind. Performing at its best in an urban setting, it is one of the lightest, yet most robust, scooters on the market. And, while it may only weigh in at 39 lbs, it’s able to carry riders who weigh up to 265 lbs, which is 45 lbs more than average entry-level scooters.

However, if you are looking for a heavy-duty scooter that can support a heavier load, you’ll want to consider the EMOVE Cruiser or Touring, which can support 352 lbs and 308 lbs respectively.

Folding & Portability

The Apollo City is one of the most compact scooters you can buy. The foldable handlebars, folding lever, and telescopic stem all help to collapse this scooter down to an easily portable 41.3 (l) x 7.7 (w) x 13.9 (h) inches. By comparison, other commuter scooters that don’t benefit from the City’s clever folding mechanisms, measure up at 42.6 (l) × 16.5 (w) × 18.1 (h) inches.

The fact that the City folds down to a neatly portable 39 lbs means that it’s easily suited to rides that involve a lot of lifting and carrying, and is more than up to the task of withstanding whatever your everyday ride might throw at it. Compact and light enough to carry into the office, or onto public transport, it’s the ideal candidate for any savvy commuter.

All-in-all, the City won’t take you longer than 20 seconds to fold/unfold it. First, you simply unscrew either side of the handlebars and then pull them outward before positioning them parallel to the stem. Then, you loosen the quick-release lever in the middle of the steering column and follow this by pushing the telescopic stem down and tightening the lever back up. Last, but by no means least, you step down on the folding latch located on the neck of the scooter to release the pin holding it into place and pull the handlebars down to the deck making sure that the pin clicks into the second opening. Once these steps are complete, the City will be firmly locked into its folding position, making it easy to carry with one hand wrapped around the stem.

Assembly

Famed for making easy-to-use, box-ready scooters, most of Apollo’s models (those with foldable handlebars, at least) come ready to ride, and the City is no different.

When your scooter arrives, you’ll find the scooter, a manual, multitool, charging box, and charging cable. If you bought any accessories, they’ll come packaged separately.

One last thing, before scooting out the door, is to check that all the scooter controls on the handlebars (i.e. the QS-S4 display, brake levers, etc) are secured. It’s also worth checking that your tires are the correct pressure and that you test your brake levers/calipers to make sure they’re operating correctly. Apollo has some great online resources if you need support with this.

Ride Quality

Is the Apollo City Comfortable to Ride?

The City’s ride quality is above average commuter scooter. The plush pneumatic tires mold to the inconsistencies of urban terrain, while the responsive suspension system dampens the vibrations that would otherwise cause your wrists, knees, and brain to rattle.

Plus, with the telescopic stem, the handlebar height is adjustable, meaning you can position it to maximize comfort. If you are taller than 6 ft, though, you may find that the maximum height of the handlebars runs a little short causing you to hunch over slightly.

There’s even a lot to say for the ergonomically shaped handgrips that allow you to rest your palms on them for increased comfort and control. Small design details like this can make a big difference in rider comfort, especially because control over the steering column can either make or break your riding experience. Take the Kugoo G2 Pro, for instance, it has cheap, small handgrips and narrow handlebars that make it feel rickety to ride.

Overall, you get the best ride quality and performance when gliding through urban scenery. If you need to travel off-road at any point – even if it's just across a compacted dirt path – you’ll notice that the City can’t effectively soak up this type of terrain meaning you’re in for a bumpy ride. Moral of the story? If you are looking for a comfortable, portable ride for urban terrain, the Apollo City is a fantastic option. But, if you want a more versatile scooter that can handle light off-road and urban terrain with ease, then the VSETT 9+ is the one for you.

Performance & Safety

Speed & Acceleration

The City’s 600W motor – which has a peak 800W output – means that it’s able to reach top speeds of 25 mph and deliver a zippy acceleration (perfect for urban riding). Able to climb to an impressive 15 mph in a little over 4 seconds it’ll have no problem getting you to your destination in good time. And, with its air-filled tires and suspension system, ride quality remains consistent even when hitting top speeds – which is more than what can be said for scooters that lack suspension.

Speed vs Price Comparison

Within a $500 range of the City’s reasonable $999 price tag, it lands in the top 36% of 25 comparable scooters.

Sitting at the top of the spectrum is the VSETT 9+ (15.6Ah). Thanks to its dual 650W motors which boast more than double the power of the Apollo City, it can climb to a top speed of 33 mph. The dual motors also mean that it accelerates far faster than the Apollo City, but more on that in the ‘Acceleration’ section of the review.

Speaking of podium positions, the City narrowly missed out on the third spot to both VSETT 8 models. These were originally intended to be the Pro line of the popular Zero 8 and 9 models, but because of the anticipation of their release and vastly improved design, they were awarded their own unique VSETT brand. Ultimately, if you want a scooter that goes pretty much toe to toe with the Apollo City when it comes to speed, but boasts superior ride quality thanks to its dual spring and swingarm suspension system, either of the VSETT 8 models will be right for you. Just bear in mind that while they also benefit from telescopic stems, foldable handlebars, and have compact folded forms, they weigh 46 lbs which is 7 lbs heavier than the City. Oh, and if you aren’t sure which one is best for you, it comes down to how much mileage you want – everything else about the scooters is the same. The 19.2Ah version delivers 38 miles and the 15.6Ah model delivers 30 miles.

It’s also worth noting that the City outperforms a lot of scooters in its price bracket. Take the slowest of the bunch, for example – the Segway Ninebot Air T15. This scooter has a measly 250W which can reach just 12.4 mph. The City is twice as powerful as this model.

Speed vs Weight Comparison

To figure out how the City performs in a Speed vs Weight test, I ran a comparison of all the models that sit within 5 lbs on either side of the City’s 39 lbs (a 34-44 lbs weight bracket) and analyzed a total of 23 comparable models.

The City’s maximum speed sits in the top 22%, where it comes in joint third position with the Horizon 13 and 10.4. It is beaten only by the Dualtron Spider, that’s able to reach an impressive 37 mph, and the EVOLV Tour 2.0 which can hit 28 mph.

However, the Dualtron Spider is 2.4 times more expensive than the City ($2,450 vs $999). So, if you can’t afford to stretch that far, the EVOLV Tour 2.0 may be your best bet.

The slowest scooter in the weight bracket is Apollo’s entry-level scooter, the Apollo Air, able to climb to a baby-step speed of 15 mph, meaning that The Apollo City is 67% faster than its little cousin.

Acceleration

For a single motor scooter, the City’s acceleration is pretty good.

In comparison to the two other single motor scooters that I recommend as alternatives (the VSETT 8 and Horizon 13), the City beats both for acceleration. However, the difference between all three models is marginal.

If it’s rapid acceleration you’re after, the dual-motor VSETT 9+ is the best choice. This speedy scooter has an acceleration rate that’s 34% faster 0-15 mph and a whopping 52% faster at climbing to 25 mph, setting it firmly at the top of the charts for this category.

Range

Equipped with a 48V 13.2Ah Dynavolt battery, the City sports a maximum range of 28 miles. Realistically, though, it can put out around 18 miles when used in its full power mode.

So, how does this compare against its closest competitors? Let’s take a look.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Having applied a $500 range around the City’s $999, our 100+ strong electric scooter database reveals 25 comparable models.

Against this backdrop, the City’s maximum mileage sits in the top 40%.

The GoTrax GMAX Ultra takes first place with 45 miles and the Ninebot Max closely follows with 40 miles. However, it must be noted that both of these scooters lack suspension and rely solely on 10 inch air-filled tires for shock absorption, which delivers a subpar riding experience compared to the third podium finisher, the VSETT 8 (19.2Ah). With this in mind, the VSETT 8 (19.2Ah), with its 38 miles and swingarm spring suspension takes the crown as the best long-range alternative in the Apollo City’s price class.

At the back of the pack sits the Segway Ninebot Air T15, closing up the rankings with 9.3 miles. The Apollo City packs an impressive 3x more miles than the Air T15.

Mileage vs Weight Comparison

In a mileage to weight comparison of all the models that sit within 5 lbs on either side of the City’s 39 lbs (34-44 lbs), we found 23 comparable models with the City’s maximum range belonging in the top 26%.

As with the Mileage vs Price comparison, the GoTrax GMAX Ultra comes out on top, weighing in at 36 lbs and able to cover 45 miles. This is, again, followed by the Segway Ninebot Max, weighing 41.2 lbs and delivering 40 miles. However, as previously noted, these models fall short where ride quality is concerned.

This leaves the Dualtron Spider to close up the podium positions, covering 37 miles and weighing 44 lbs. A noble fourth place goes to Apollo City, joint with the EVOLV City Plus and INOKIM Quick 3.

Here, the best option, When it comes to mileage, weight, and ride quality, is the Dualtron Spider ($2,450). But, if this model is out of your price range, the Apollo City is the stand-out choice.

Hill Climbing

The City can comfortably manage gradual urban inclines, but because it only has a single motor, its hill-climbing prowess is severely limited. Ultimately, it hasn’t been built to chew up hills but rather glide through the smooth streets of the city.

If you live in a particularly hilly area, you’ll need some serious hill-climbing power, and for this, a dual-motor model will be best. Luckily, you can get your hands on the popular VSETT 9+ for not too much more money than the City. Doing so will benefit you with dual 650W motors that can generate enough torque to scale hills up 25 degree inclines.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

Equipped with a vertically aligned spring at the front, and two horizontally-aligned springs at the rear, the City is in the upper echelon of scooters in the commuter bracket (i.e. scooters under 42 lbs) that sport full suspension systems.

As the air-filled tire at the front rolls over uneven terrain, the front spring compresses to absorb the majority of the impact while the rear tire and dual springs smooth out the vibrations that ricochet down the scooter.

It must be noted though, that the City has been designed for smooth terrain and doesn’t have the pedigree to handle rough roads. Also, because of its compact design, it doesn’t have swingarms to support the springs. Swingarms allow for more travel since they facilitate the deck to move up and down as the suspension compresses and depresses. To take advantage of swingarm suspension, check out the VSETT 8.

Braking

When it comes to braking, the City has an effective dual mechanical braking system that outperforms many of its competitors.

Compared to other scooters that are similarly priced to the City, only 24% (including the City) are equipped with dual mechanical brakes. The remaining 76% rely on either a single rear mechanical brake, electronic brake, or stamp-on foot brake.

In the case of the City, it takes an unconventional approach to its braking setup with a drum at the rear and disc at the front. Typically, scooters rely on one type of braking mechanism (i.e. discs at the front and rear) but don’t let this mix and match approach throw you off. The City’s controlled stopping power equates to a braking distance of 3.1 meters from 15 mph, which is very good.

It also sports a regenerative electric brake that repurposes the energy lost from braking and transforms it into battery power.

Charge Time

There are two charging options available.

The first is to use the standard charger. This will allow you to reach full battery power within 6 hours.

On the other hand, a fast charger will allow you to charge in just 3 hours, and is a worthy consideration if you’re like me and forget to put your scooter on charge overnight.

Extra Features

QS-S4 Throttle Display for Customized Performance Configuration

Bringing a premium edge to this budget-friendly scooter is the QS-S4 display which makes all of your riding stats easy to understand and monitor, and allows you to readily access the scooter’s P-settings.

Within the P-settings, you can alter acceleration strength, switch smart modes, and choose different units of measurement (ie: kmh / mph).

Cruise Control

Cruise control is a commuter’s best friend – especially on scooters that use finger throttles.

Unlike thumb throttles, which are comfortable and easy to use thanks to their ergonomic design, finger throttles – which are shaped like a trigger – can cause strain and cramp when held for long periods. Unfortunately, the City’s drivetrain is controlled via a finger throttle.

Don’t stress, though, cruise control has got you (and your finger) covered. You can wave goodbye to the pain of applying constant pressure to the throttle and let the scooter maintain a constant speed.

LED Lights

There’s no question about it, the City’s lights outshine all of its competitors (except for the Zero 9 which is practically the same scooter).

With dual headlights, strip lighting down the stem, blue deck lights, and dual red button lights at the rear, the City looks like a souped-up car from the Fast and Furious franchise.

But, before you get too excited, I still recommend buying an additional headlight to attach to the handlebars to give you an extra stretch of visibility over the road ahead.

Telescopic Stem For Adjustable Handlebar Height

Whether you’re a tall, short, or average height rider, the City can cater to most handlebar height needs. (If you’re over 6 ft tall, it’ll run a little short for you).

The telescopic stem allows the handlebar height to be adjusted in a matter of seconds, which is great if you’re not the only rider of this scooter because it can be changed to suit anyone who happens to be riding it.

Folding Handlebars For Enhanced Portability

Weighing in at 39 lbs, the City already presents itself as a lightweight, portable scooter. But this is taken up a notch with the collapsible handlebars.

Fastened by threaded tension cuffs that screw into place, Apollo has gone to great lengths to ensure that the City lives up to its name as the go-to scooter for inner-city portability.

These folding handlebars stay locked upright once positioned into place with the tension cuffs but, be warned – on longer journeys they can work themselves a little loose, requiring you to tighten them.

Optional Seat Attachment

Do you want to know a little secret about Apollo? They used to make a seat just for the City but in 2020 they stopped the production of it.

Why am I telling you this? Well, the brand behind Apollo City’s long-lost twin, the Zero 9, sells the seat you need. Because the City and Zero 9 share the same frame, the seat accessory for the Zero model also fits the City.

The seat is cushioned and benefits from an adjustable post with hydraulic suspension for an extra layer of comfort.

IP54 Water-Resistance Rating

The City benefits from an official IP54 water-resistance rating, meaning that it can tolerate light rain.

But don’t leave it outside in a storm, or see if it can take a dip because water damage isn’t covered under warranty.

Smart Power Management

An electric scooter is only as powerful as its battery, which is why battery health is such a key consideration for prospective scooter owners. It’s easy to overlook this with the sleek design and top-of-the-line performance specs but without a good battery, your scooter can turn into a heap of junk.

The good news is that the Apollo City comes complete with a Smart Power Management system that keeps the battery in peak condition, helping to maintain battery life so that it reaches the promised 6 years of performance that Apollo says it’s capable of.

In brief, it controls the flow of electricity in and out of the battery to prevent overcharging, over-discharging, and short-circuiting, as well as overheating – which is important because temperature regulation keeps batteries working as they should.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

I recommend purchasing the City directly from Apollo to take advantage of their 24 month warranty.

Apollo likes to boast that their 24 month warranty is “the longest warranty period in North America”, and there’s no denying it. On a more granular level: during the first year, any defects down to manufacturing are fully covered (including the battery). Should the scooter need to be returned for replacement or repairs, Apollo will cover the shipping costs involved too. There’s also a “no questions asked” policy on returns during the first 15 days of ownership (if the scooter is unused).

During the second year, manufacturing defects are covered on a ‘costs for parts’ basis, meaning that you are only charged for what it costs Apollo to fix your scooter, and Apollo won’t charge you for labor. However, you will have to cover shipping costs yourself in the second year. Despite this, the extended warranty is very good since most retailers simply offer 12 months cover, after which you need to find your own way.

Also, keep in mind that Apollo asks you to keep the box the scooter came in, should you need to ship it back for repairs, to avoid any additional damage occurring during transit.

Once your 24 month warranty is up, the (very friendly) Apollo team will provide you with a lifetime of support and exceptional customer service, that includes special discounts and offers that extend beyond the warranty. Apollo will value you as a customer, and they’ll keep you feeling loved – a company that believes in good customer support and even better customer service, you’ll have access to excellent advice on maintenance and repairs post-warranty.

Apollo City Unboxing and Spec Overview

With an impressive array of lights, extremely compact folding frame, and comprehensive suspension system, the Apollo City is primed for urban commutes. Find out what else it has to offer.