Scooters can be insanely fun. They’re a great way for getting around, and they’re quite affordable. Scooters are also an ideal transport method for kids, as they’re not as risky as skateboards or as complicated as bicycles. Using scooters is always fun, that’s true, but that doesn’t mean that you should try to improve upon it. You can always install a new and better scooter deck that will only make your entire scooter experience that much smoother.
Choosing the Right Deck
It’s not always easy to choose the right scooter deck. That’s because there are so many to choose from, and the choice itself might not be as straightforward as it might seem at first glance. There are plenty of factors to choose from, such as length, width, foot space, and wheel compatibility, as well as the ever-present deck feel. That’s why all it takes to step on the right deck for scooters and you’ll immediately tell a world of difference. In the end, that’s all that’s important, which is to feel good riding the scooter.
Length
Length is probably the first thing you’re going to check for when you’re looking at scooter decks for sale. Neither too long nor too short are going to do the trick because the length needs to be just right. Most decks for scooters are around 50 to 60 centimetres long, with the lower end of the scale meant for children. Shorter decks are ideal for air tricks, while longer ones are great for land-based tricks, such as manual or grinding. Also, it’s worth pointing out that shorter decks have less foot space, but are also lighter, whereas the reverse is true for longer ones, as in, they have more foot space and are heavier.
Width
Not unlike length, width is also very important, but for slightly different purposes. Scooter decks are typically wide somewhere between 10 and 15 centimetres, and just like length, the lower part of the scale is great for young riders, whereas the upper end of the scale is great for more mature ones. If you plan on doing tricks like manuals and grinding, then you should most likely opt for a wider deck. You should also consider foot space because width plays a major role in it. Also, wider decks tend to provide more stability for riding in general, so if you’re feeling unstable when riding, then definitely consider getting a wider street scooter deck.
Foot Space
Foot space is often forgotten about when picking a new scooter because most people are so hung up on the technical side of the deck that they forget about their own comfort. While the basic idea is that longer and wider decks will provide more foot space, that’s not always the case. That’s because foot space is typically measured from the downtube to the brake and not all decks’ downtubes are placed at the same length ratio. So you might get a longer deck, but its downtube is going to be placed more towards the inside of the deck, and despite the length, you’ll end up with less foot space. That way you might feel more cramped and unstable, which can definitely ruin your riding experience no matter how high-quality the deck is.
Headtube Angle
The basic engineering behind the scooter is that the headtube angle is between 82.5 and 84 degrees. This angle represents the angle that the headtube sits on compared to the deck, and it might make a world of difference when riding or performing tricks. If the angle is closer to 82.5 degrees, then it’ll probably make tailwhips easier but it will make barspins more difficult because the bar is going to sit closer to your body and make it feel like you have less space in general. The opposite is also true because with a bigger angle, barspins are going to be easier to make and you’ll feel like you have more room on the scooter.
Downtube/Headtube Design
The design of the downtube and the headtube are often only for aesthetical purposes only. Some of them might be made out of sturdier and harder materials, but that is rarely the case. That’s why you should just choose whichever one you feel looks the best because it doesn’t have any mechanical advantages or disadvantages.
Weight
More often than not, decks that are heavier tend to be sturdier and stronger. However, the heavier they are, the limited your tricks are going to be, so if you’re looking for something to exclusively do tricks with, then lighter decks are the way to go. It’s also worth noting that since heavier decks are sturdier, they tend to last longer. That’s why if you only want to get from point A to point B, a heavier deck is typically better. Also, there are some decks that are very light and very sturdy, but they tend to be on the pricier side, and are not that common.
Wheel Compatibility
Before committing to a specific deck, just make sure that it fits the wheels you’re using or you’re planning on using. Not all decks are compatible with all wheels, and you definitely don’t want to find yourself without any wheels to use. While scooter wheels are quite easy to find, it’s possible that you’re going to choose a deck that only uses specific wheels, which is something you want to avoid if not all wheels are available at the moment.
