Stunt scooters: things to keep in mind when shopping for THE ONE
Stunt scooters: things to keep in mind when shopping for THE ONE
Competetive scooters or stunt scooters, sometimes called freelance scooters- are not just a temporary whim, a fashion trend. They are here to stay. Wherever you look- you can see passionate kids AND adults working on their stunts- more or less advanced. Even very young children want to try their best and try out stunt scooters. So what is the main difference between a stunt scooter and a regular traditional scooter?
A stunt scooter won't serve you to get from point A to point B but to let you do elaborate stunts, jumps and tricks. Which is why the body of a stunt scooter is entirely different from the one of a traditional city scooter. If you ware planning on starting your adventure with freestyle riding, but have no idea which scooter to go for, we will happily guide your through!
The handlebar
The handlebar on a stunt scooter cannot be readjusted; there is no height regulation as that would weaken the entire construction of the stunt scooter. This is the exact same reason why stunt scooters are not foldable. The handlebar is wider than in the case of traditional scooters and it turns 360 degrees which makes its use very comfortable and allows for all sorts of acrobatics. The usual shape of the handle bar is a T-shape or Y- shape. A more resilient handlebar is Y- shaped. The handle bar is usually made of either steel (more resilient and sturdy) or aluminum (lighter). Have a look here (<<< hyperlink: wyboru odpowiedniej kierownicy to find out which one to choose.
Scooter wheels
At first glance, you will notice that a stunt scooter features wheels that are much smaller than those on a city scooter. Stunt scooters usually feature wheels between 100 mm and 120 mm. For beginners, we always recommend 100 mm wheels. Larger wheels give you a chance to develop speed and are usually picked by more advanced riders. Another difference is the material the wheels are made of and their core. Scooters featuring wheels with less expensive cores- made of a synthetic material will be perfecty fine and just enough for those only starting their adventure with stunt scooters. Experienced riders usually choose wheels with an aluminum core that is much more resilient.
Stunt scooter bearings
The quality fo the scooter bearings is rated according to the ABEC scale. There are five grades in the ABEC class: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. The higher the number, the better the bearings. There is no 11th grade even though you might find such information in some product descriptions. Keep in mind: it is just marketing. The lowest class is 9. The quality of the bearings has great impact on the speed and overall fluency of the ride.
Scooter braking system
Two most frequently used brakes in the case of stunt scooters are either a spring brake or a flex brake. Spring brakes have more components, are louder and also tend to fail more often. A flex brake returns to its original shape after each time it gets pressed on. There is another great advantage to a flex brake: it is shock absorbent.
Scooter clamp
The clamp connects the handlebar with the scooter's fork. Scooter clamps do vary when it comes to shape and the amount of bolts. Stunt scooters might feature a double, triple or even quadruple clamp. When it comes to stunt scooters, what is really important is that the clamp sits tight. It doesn't matter how many bolts there are if they are not tight enough. The bolts should be tightened on starting from the external ones. Each bolt should be tightened ¼. Repeat four times. It is the best way to avoid damaging the thread. The bolts should be tightened in accordance with the following order: upper, bottom, middle, upper and the middle one again. Repeat until the clamp is tight enough. Remember: the clamp must be tightened before each ride!
Take a good care of your scooter!
Buying a stunt scooter that is right for you is only half the battle won. Even the best-in-class stunt scooter won't serve you well, if you don't take a good care of it. All bolts and screws must be tightened before each use. Store your scooter in a dry place, keep it away from water and sand. After each use, your stunt scooter should be cleaned thoroughly. From time to time, you may also want to unscrew the wheels and give them a good cleanse.
