Contents
Welcome everyone, to stunt scooter class!
After this class, you’ll be able to dismantle, rebuild, repair and tune a scooter in your sleep!
So, let’s first talk about the most basic components of the scooter, the parts.
Top
GRIPS
Grips fit on top of the handlebars. Grips come in both a soft and hard variety. The soft version is more comfortable, while the hard ones are more durable. So, if you plan on using your scooter only on occasion, the softer grips may be a better choice for you. However, if you plan on using your scooter a lot and doing tons of tricks and jumps, you may want to select the more durable, harder version.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
When installing new grips on your scooter, spray the handlebar with hairspray. This will allow the handles to be easily aligned. When the hairspray is dry, the grips will sit perfectly as if they were glued to the handlebar.
BARENDS
Barends help to protect the handlebar and the grips when you land a big jump as well as helping to keep your hands from slipping off. Standard barends are provided with your grips but you can always customize them to fit your style!
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
Most of the supplied barends are designed for steel handlebars. Therefore, if you have an aluminum handlebar, the barends may be too large. You can easily resize the barends by cutting off the excess material. (Ask your parents for help on this part!)
HANDLEBARS
Handlebars may be made of either steel or aluminum. As you may guess, steel handlebars are significantly heavier and more durable than aluminum handlebars. Aluminum handlebars on the other hand, are lighter and allow for more quick movement.
As you can see from the diagram up above, the handlebar consists of a vertical and a horizontal tube (the crosstube). At the lower end, the bars are slotted where they are clamped into the fork.
The shape of a crosstube affects the stability of the scooter. There is some debate about which shape of crosstube is ideal (upsweep, backsweep, or downsweep). So, try out each shape yourself and see what you prefer!
In addition to differences in handlebar shape, there are a variety of sizes available. Measured on the outside of the bar, 31.8mm and 34.9mm are the most common diameters available. The diameter you choose depends on the fork you’ve picked because the handlebar and fork must fit together.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
Here’s a way to measure handlebar height: while standing on the deck of the scooter, let your arms hang down by your sides. If the handlebars are at a height where you can comfortably grip them with your arms straight, the bars are at the correct height for you.
CLAMP
The clamp secures the handlebar to the fork.
Clamp sizes range between 31.8 mm inner diameter or oversized ones with a diameter of 34.9 mm. The oversized clamp is usually supplied with a shim, which makes it easier to mount them on standard bars.
Named for the number of bolts needed to secure the clamp to the handlebar, there are double, triple, and quad clamps. Depending on the support required, it may be appropriate to use a more secure clamp, such as a triple or quad clamp.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
A clamp, whether double, triple or quad, should always be screwed in securely, but not too tightly. If the screws are too tight, you risk damaging the thread on the clamp.
HEADSET
The headset consists of two parts: an upper and lower ball bearing. There are two main types of headsets, standard and integrated. Both of these types may be threaded or threadless.
Compared to a standard headset, integrated headsets are simpler and of higher quality. This style fits exclusively on decks designed for integrated headsets.
Threaded headsets are used for entry-level scooters, as they are less expensive. They require a matching threaded fork as well.
Headsets without thread work similarly to the threaded version but are not screwed into the downtube. A separate compression system is required, which allows more pressure to be applied to the bearings.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
With the right handlebars and some extra care, headsets can last a very long time. It is important to regularly remove and clean the headset since the bearings can get dirty. Don’t want to clean and disassemble your headset? Get a sealed headset, which has a closed ball bearing. This type will not get dirty.
Middle
COMPRESSION
The role of a compression system is to distribute the pressure put on the scooter throughout the different components so that no parts of the scooter are overly stressed.
There are four different compression systems: the ICS (internal compression system), the HIC (hidden internal compression) system, the SCS (standard compression system) and the IHC system (modified HIC system).
In the ICS system, the fork is screwed to the bar. An M6 screw is inserted through the fork and a strut is installed in the handlebar. The screw connects to the harness and thereby the two components are pulled together to compress the headset.
With the HIC system, the fork is connected to the headset by the compression. A shim is then inserted over the fork. Next, this shim is pressed onto the headset cap. With this kind of compression, a HIC bar (an oversized bar) must be used.
The SCS is the simplest system and offers the most versatility. The SCS combines the compression with the clamp. The SCS clamp has a large inner diameter in the upper portion, which can be screwed to the appropriate fork (with internal thread) using a top cap and an M6 screw. As with the HIC system, the handlebar in the SCS has no direct compression capabilities.
And finally, the IHC system. It works like the HIC but the fork has a smaller outside diameter.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
When first using a scooter with a compression system, it may feel a bit “loose”. You should continue to use your system until it has settled and becomes firm. By applying a screw protection lacquer, you can prevent the screws from loosening in the future.
DECK
Decks vary widely in size. The wider and longer a deck, the more weight it brings with it. A deck with thinner material can reduce the weight of the scooter, but also sacrifices stability.
BRAKE
Brakes come in several varieties. Brakes with a return spring are called flex-brakes, which are installed on decks. Most brakes are made specifically for the deck on which they were installed, so they are not interchangeable with other scooters.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
Go easy on the brakes! The more use the brakes get, the more quickly they will wear down.
GRIP TAPE
Grip tape allows you to control your scooter without slipping off the deck, similar to the surface of a skateboard.
Grip tapes come in all different colors and designs. So, find one that is right for you!
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
To add a new grip tape, clean the deck with an alcohol solution. Once the alcohol dries, apply the new grip tape slowly with glue, ensuring that you have no air bubbles under the surface.
Bottom
AXLES
Axles secure your wheels to the fork.
There are two different types of axles: externally and internally threaded axles. Both versions are made out of steel. The only exception are black axles, which are made of titanium and are lighter than the steel version.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
Axles must be long enough to connect to either side of the deck and fork.
FORK
The fork is an incredibly important component of your scooter. Not only because it holds your front wheel stable, but also because it provides support and compression to your scooter.
Depending on the compression system, the fork keeps the deck and headset held together along with the handlebars. Just like the other components of the scooter, forks can be found with or without threads.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
The size of your wheels must match the fork. So, always check the size of your fork before buying new wheels.
PEGS
Pegs are extensions on the axle which can be used to perform tricks like grinding.
Typically, pegs are available in aluminum, steel, and plastic.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
Make sure you insert the axles firmly into the pegs, especially if you’re going to attempt to grind with them!
Wheels
Wheels greatly influence the handling of your scooter. Most wheels come in sizes 100 mm and 110 mm where the 100 mm version is slightly slower than the 110 mm, but a bit more agile. Wheels are made out of aluminum and plastic.
BALL-BEARING
Ball-bearings are pressed into the rims of your wheels. A stunt scooter usually uses ABEC 7 or ABEC 9 bearings. The 7’s are somewhat more robust. The 9’s tend to be slightly faster.
Your Urban Wheelz Top Tip
Occasional cleaning and greasing can improve the lifespan of your bearings.
Conclusion
There are many different components to a scooter, and most of the choices dependent on:
- Whether you are more experienced or a beginner.
- Whether you want stability or speed.
Whatever you are looking for in a scooter, make sure to have fun!