Scooter decks

Any scooter consists of a large number of parts, each of which is important and irreplaceable. The main component of the scooter design is the deck. It is she who will become the object of our material.

The scooter deck is one of its main parts. It has the appearance and shape of a platform on which the rider's feet stand. Many indicators of a scooter depend on its size and characteristics. That's why when choosing a vehicle, it is imperative to take into account the parameters of its platform.

Each deck is characterized by a set of important parameters, which directly affect the choice of a vehicle, the convenience and safety of its operation.

• Width is an indicator that is taken into account in the first place when choosing a scooter. This characteristic is selected by the user individually. It is important to find the "golden mean" here. A deck that is too wide will reduce speed performance and create inconvenience while driving. This part of the vehicle should also not be narrow.

• Length is also an important parameter for any deck, as it affects speed capabilities and largely determines the safety for the user. Experts do not advise choosing a long platform, but suggest opting for a shorter or short deck. If a scooter for adults is chosen, then the optimal platform length will be about 50 cm.

• Height the base affects speed performance and determines the degree of comfort for the user. A scooter with a high platform will be more difficult to accelerate, therefore, fatigue will quickly appear not only in the legs, but also in the whole body. With a low deck, the vehicle will accelerate many times faster and easier, and the ride will become comfortable and relaxed.

• The presence of skin is preferred. This element prevents the rider's feet from slipping, which can lead to disastrous consequences. Therefore, the skin on the deck makes the ride safe, which must be taken into account when choosing not only children, but also adult vehicles.

Deku is in most cases made from the same material that is used to create a scooter. Aluminum alloys, steel and plastic are commonly used. But there are also exceptions.

The deck material has a great influence on the performance of the vehicle.

• Wooden platform possesses good shock-absorbing properties, therefore it is ideal for driving on uneven roads. Such decks are often used in scooters for two, for example, a mother and a child.
• Plastic parts usually found in children's models. In most cases, plastic decks are installed on three-wheeled scooters.
• Aluminum platforms the most common. They are hollow in design, lightweight and highly durable. With such details, scooters are lightweight, but at the same time they do not lose their strength characteristics.
• Carbon decks just starting to get popular. Scooters with such platforms cost a lot, but they surpass all other options in strength and reliability.
• Titanium construction created for professional models that are used for training and competition. With a thickness of less than 8 mm, the titanium platform is capable of withstanding a load of 100 kg.

There are two groups of decks according to the type of riding.

• Street platforms (riding on special spots) have a flat bottom, which provides easy sliding on figures of various shapes. A wide deck will allow you to glide better and feel more stable on the edges and railings.
• For park "rides" a compact base with a small width is required. It is on these scooters that you can easily perform technically complex stunts.

The type of connection between the deck and frame divides the scooters into the following groups:

• the platform is mounted on a metal frame, which makes it replaceable and the scooter maintainable;
• the one-piece design has no fasteners, it is most common, it is reliable and durable, it is created from different materials;
• The flexible type of connection involves fixing the deck between metal bases on the frame, dampens vibrations and bounces well on uneven roads, but it is not very common.

There are a number of factors and parameters to consider when choosing the right scooter. Every part of the vehicle must be suitable for the type of ride, operating conditions and user parameters. The deck is of the greatest importance, so its choice must be taken seriously.

Advice from experts and experienced riders will help you make the right choice:

• it is easier to do tricks on a wide platform and it is easier to keep balance;
• from an increase in length, stability increases, but the ability to freely rotate is reduced;
• experts advise choosing a solid deck, as it is more reliable, and a large number of individual metal parts often cause unpleasant crackling sounds.

When choosing a vehicle, you need to stand on a platform and place your feet at a 45-degree angle diagonally. In this position, the feet on the side of the heel and toes can hang from the deck by a maximum of 5 cm.

Any scooter experiences high loads during operation, especially a deck. To prolong the life of the vehicle, the platform must be properly cared for.

The soundboard will last much longer if you periodically do the following:

• the surface is cleaned of dirt after each use; chemical agents can be used only when absolutely necessary;
• cracks can form on the platform, which is a common problem for all scooters, the deck must be inspected and such nuances removed at an early stage;
• the worn-out skin changes to a new one as it wears out, operating a scooter without such a coating is dangerous.

The following video provides an overview of the top 10 budget scooter decks.