Stunt scooter deck: what is it and how to choose it?

Fans of adrenaline rush often prefer a stunt scooter as a means of transportation around the city, because you can not only ride on it, but also master extreme jumps with turns, conquer curbs and parapets.

Not every scooter is called a stunt scooter. Such vehicles have a special design, and certain requirements are imposed on them. Let's consider one of the main parts of a stunt scooter, without which it is impossible to assemble and imagine - the deck.

This is a stationary platform on which the rider stands with his feet. In most models, it is combined with the frame, and the wheel and brake are attached to the rear. On top of the outer part of the deck, a skin is glued to prevent the foot from slipping during riding. Sometimes the skin is replaced with a rubber layer or textured elements.

If the scooter is intended for children under 3 years old, the foot platform is made of impact-resistant plastic. In the case of "heavyweights" and off-road riding, it is made of steel, iron, designed for high loads.

Lightweight alloys (magnesium, aluminum, duralumin) are an excellent solution for creating the perfect stunt scooter. The lightest deck is the one that is made of aluminum without overlays. And the most expensive variation is magnesium alloy.

In the production of some decks, materials are combined, placing an aluminum, plastic or wooden platform on a steel frame. The latter is called a flexible deck with shock-absorbing properties. Suitable for driving on poor-quality road surfaces, but the user is required to have some experience.

Fastener type

1. The metal platform and frame are one piece.This mount is found in most scooter designs.
2. Platform on an iron frame. In this version, the deck can be replaced with decorative counterparts made of various materials.
3. The arrangement of the wooden deck between the iron bases. With this fastening, the scooter springs when driving and dampens vibrations on imperfect road sections. The downside is the decrease in the efficiency of the repulsion produced.

When the steering column is connected to the deck by a folding mechanism, this allows the scooter to be folded in half. Such a vehicle is convenient to store and carry.

Experienced riders prefer to ride a short and narrow deck. It is easier to maneuver on it, while, accordingly, it is less stable, and for beginners it will be uncomfortable to ride it.

If you have insufficient experience in riding a scooter, it is recommended to choose a transport with a medium-sized deck. Its width for beginners should be equal to or slightly less than the width of the foot, in order to be able to fit the entire foot on it.

The height of the deck, known as ground clearance, primarily determines the size of the ground clearance, which affects the cross-country ability of a scooter. It is also worth noting that the higher the clearance, the deeper the squatting on the supporting leg will be each time to push off. When choosing a deck in height, take into account the quality of the roads to be conquered, and select it according to your height. The higher it is, the higher the deck is needed, and the better the road surface, the lower the platform is allowed.

Ground clearance is of the greatest concern to those who purchase a scooter for the first time. This is due to the prejudice that in the process of riding a scooter, two feet should be placed together, fitting on the platform from toe to heel.

In the passive form of rolling (rolling when pushing off), the feet, indeed, turn out to be close, but not with the entire width of the feet or at an angle. Soon after you start mastering the scooter, your feet will intuitively take the correct position on the platform. The novice rider will stop thinking about how to arrange them.

It is worth noting that with a high deck, you have to squat deeper, pushing off, which quickly sets in fatigue... On models with low ground clearance, you can ride for a long time and easily go into a calm phase, in which the speed is maintained by pushing off the toe, almost without squats. But when driving on city streets with a low deck, you need to be vigilant, for example, on curbs.

The disadvantage of a wide deck is a slight deterioration in the maneuverability of the scooter. There is a chance of hitting someone or something in your path. But for performing tricks, the wide platform of the scooter is what you need. Since the decks are made of high quality aluminum, the wider they are, the more expensive the model is.

A short length is important for a stunt deck. This parameter affects the control and is responsible for the stability of the scooter at the moment of landing. The longer the platform is, the more difficult it is to master the rotation, although the stability increases markedly. The short length of this part of the scooter is a guarantee of virtuoso rotation and lightweight construction.

How to do scooter tricks for beginners, see below.