Scooter Guide

Stunt, Big Wheel and Dirt Scooters are all appropriate beginner scooters. The big wheels of the Dirt and Big Wheel scooters provide plenty of stability especially over rough terrain or bumpy pavements. For just travelling short distances and small outdoor urban areas, a stunt scooter can prove more beneficial as they are more agile due to their smaller wheels. A Stunt scooter may therefore be a good choice for a younger child who is riding short distances.

An Electric Scooter can prove difficult for a beginner as it is harder to control speed.

Choosing a scooter that is an appropriate size is important. In addition to choosing a scooter that follows our sizing guidelines, it is also important to consider things like the size of the wheels as a younger child may find it difficult to brake on a larger wheeled scooter.

Great for a new rider, aluminium anodised bars are light and corrosion resistant. Chromoly bars will be great for those who are hitting tough terrain on a dirt scooter.

A lower rated bearings is best for beginners as they will provide more resistance to the rider when riding. Therefore the scooter is less likely to ‘runaway’ from the rider and allows for a beginner to find their balance without picking up too much speed.

Considering these factors when buying your next scooter will help you choose a scooter that is perfect for someone entering the world of scootering.

Plastic wheels are great for lightweight riders like kids as they are low cost and easy to customise. A heavier rider may however select wheels with an aluminium core which has increased strength.

As a more experienced rider you may be looking to refine your current setup for a specific scooter type. Your needs or lifestyle may have changed resulting in a change in the scooter type you’re after. If you’ve moved from the countryside to an urban environment where dirt tracks are no longer in abundance, then you may want a big wheeled scooter or perhaps an electric scooter.

As an experienced rider you’ve probably already dialled into the sizing you need. If however you’re buying your next scooter and want to make sure it’s the right size for you, check out our scooter size guide.

The go to choice for many beginner and advanced riders these days is the aluminium anodised bars and decks. Light, hard wearing and rust-proof, they’re an excellent choice for all abilities. Riders who will be landing from considerable heights on a stunt scooter may prefer increased stiffness and need a greater degree of strength. Therefore a steel or chromoly bars and decks will provide this additional strength but at the expense of increased weight.

Bearings with a higher ABEC rating of 9 are a good choice for an advanced rider who has built up the ability to control their speed. An advanced rider may however require bearings which result in less ‘runout’ if they are performing certain types of tricks in confined places.

Selecting wheels that have an aluminium core/hub will provide the additional durability required for more advanced riding. Especially for riders performing tricks on a stunt scooter or taking on some complex and demanding off-road sections on a dirt scooter.

Either in a T or Y shape, the handle bars consists of the actual bars and the upright tube which is mounted to the deck.

These are the grips for your hand placement at the end of each handle bar.

Used to fix the handle bars through the head tube (Linked to the deck, and joins the deck and handlebars).

Much like a skateboard deck this is the area in which the rider stands (usually made from aluminium)

Sits above and below the headtube; contains bearing that allow the forks to turn.

The forks house the front wheel of the scooter, which is held in place via an axle and bolts.

Stunt scooter wheels are usually made from polyurethane and feature a core made from either plastic or metal. Osprey wheels feature an aluminium core which is durable enough to withstand stunts and tricks. An aluminium core is recommended if you intended to use the scooter in this way as plastic cores do not offer the same amount of integrity and may break when performing stunts.

Much like skateboards scooter wheels contain bearings graded using the ABEC rating system 1,3,5,7 and 9 (although some brands use their own rating system). The lower the rating, the slower the scooter. It is therefore best to choose a lower number (ABEC 1) for beginners so that they can find their balance without picking up too much speed.

The braking system can be located in two places. 

1. Located on the handle bars. Here you can operate a lever on the bar (in much the same way as a bicycle)

2. Located above the rear wheel, the brake is operated by pushing down on it with the foot. Be careful not to push too hard as this can result in skidding and damage the wheel. 

Use a cloth to wipe down the areas which are prone to getting dirty and a build-up of debris. We recommend cleaning the wheels, headset and non-slip pad to prevent damage to the functioning parts of your scooter.

Pressing the brake too hard can cause flat spots to appear on the wheel which will result in a slow and bumpy ride.

By using a light machine oil and spraying it over your scooter once a week, with a focus on the wheel bearings and, if applicable, folding mechanism. This will prevent the parts from ceasing up and promote smooth operation.

Sticking the surface your scooter is made for will prevent damage. Trying to take a stunt scooter to a woodland won’t end well for you, your scooter or your bank balance!

Scooters have to endure many bumps and rattles during their lifetime, which can loosen important bolts. Regularly tightening your scooter wheels and any other parts of your scooter (E.g. adjustable bars clamping ring etc.) will not only make it safer but give you more confidence to ride harder.