Scooter wheels: varieties, brands, choice

The right wheels for a scooter are just as important as a stable deck and a reliable fork. They are the first to take on the shocks of the road surface, therefore, they must correspond to the tasks assigned to this structural element. True, it is rather difficult to find information on which wheels are better to choose. There are models on the market with a diameter of 100, 110, 175, 200 mm and other options, which are simply impossible to understand without additional study of the information.

The dilemma: rubber or pneumatic wheels, polyurethane or silicone - has been facing scooter enthusiasts for a long time. Some materials have excellent shock absorption, but are inferior in speed. Others wear out quickly and have to be changed frequently.

A number of popular materials for the manufacture of scooter wheels can be noted.

• Plastic. Polymer wheels are mainly used on scooters for kids. Models with plastic tires look bright, but have no shock absorption, make a lot of noise when riding, and weigh little. They do not withstand a heavy load, they are focused on using exclusively on an even asphalt surface.

• PVC. These alloy wheels are used in budget models as a cheap alternative to polyurethane wheels. This is a good solution for use in urban environments. PVC wheels maintain a high speed of movement, brake confidently, but when atmospheric temperatures drop, they can behave unpredictably.

• Silicone. Safe, environmentally friendly material, not designed for use under heavy loads.Silicone scooter wheels are mainly aimed at children and teenagers. They are distinguished by good shock-absorbing properties, not noisy, but quickly wear off. These wheels will last for 1-2 seasons.

• Polyurethane... Material used by all major manufacturers. Polyurethane, or as they are also called - gel, wheels can be painted in different colors or remain translucent, they are the fastest, almost silent, durable. But they have their own characteristics - in wet weather, when driving through water, the braking distance increases significantly, and traction with the road also deteriorates.

• Rubber. Rubber mixtures in their pure form have not been used for a long time in the manufacture of wheels, but in combination with various additional components, they allow you to create cast and hollow molded products with good performance.

Disks matter too. Solid cast - the most reliable and durable, but they can only be found in high-quality, professional scooters. Spoked the wheels are less rigid, therefore, they are most often installed on off-road versions of equipment, where shock absorption is of greater importance. Scooters are suitable for beginners with plastic discs, sufficient for leisurely city skiing.

It is quite easy to understand what the diameter and thickness of the scooter wheels affects. The main thing that is determined by these indicators is the stability, mobility and speed characteristics of the vehicle. The minimum wheel diameter of 80 mm is found only in children's scooters. - they use the most inexpensive plastic "tires" or solid rubber. The speed capabilities of such models are small - up to 15-18 km / h.

Adult scooters with wheels of 100, 110 mm are classified as stunt scooters. They are used to perform jumps, riding on ramps. They are very maneuverable, quite light, and allow you to pick up the required speed. With a wheel diameter of 125 mm, the scooter is already considered universal and is suitable for teenagers and adults for riding on high-quality asphalt surfaces.

Scooters with wheel diameters of 145 mm and more - up to 175 mm - are focused on high-speed skiing and good acceleration. These are models with solid tires that absorb road bumps well. With a wheel diameter of 8 inches, tires with thick inflatable tires and tubes inside are already used. Many scooters use a front wheel diameter of 250 mm, and a rear wheel diameter of 230 or 200 mm - this difference makes it possible to raise the platform not too high, provides comfortable and maneuverable riding, and maintains ease of pushing off.

Off-road models have not only tall, but also wide tires with 200x50 mm indicators. It uses spoked bicycle wheels to provide ample cushioning and flotation.

When choosing wheels for a scooter, you should pay attention to the fact that in this area there are a number of the most famous manufacturers, the quality of whose components there is no doubt. Most of them also produce two-wheeled vehicles themselves, which means that it will not be difficult to replace components in case of breakdown.

• Razor. The American brand produces a wide range of wheels for its scooters. Replaceable elements are completed with branded bearings, cast or spoke aluminum wheels. The tire cover is polyurethane, quite tough.The range of diameters varies from 100 to 200 mm, allowing you to choose an option for each type of equipment.

• Fox. Chinese brand specializing in the production of extreme stunt and dirt scooters, as well as spare parts for them. The company produces wheels with spoked and solid aluminum rims, rigid polyurethane tires, ABEC 9 bearings. Two-tone versions are especially popular, in which the colors of the tires and rims have a contrasting range.

• Hipe. One of the leading manufacturers of stunt scooters. The company is based in Spain, the production was moved to China to reduce the cost. The company is distinguished by an original approach to the design of rims. Here you can find solutions with holographic effects, perforation, spoke and one-piece multi-colored options, as well as grating wheels.

• Tech Team. Russian brand that produces scooters and other goods for outdoor activities. Components are produced mainly for our own models. Bright, stylish design of wheels for stunt scooters distinguishes the company from many competitors. Holographic effects, graffiti-style murals, unusual neon colors - all this distinguishes the company's products from other offers.

• Trolo. The Russian brand, one of the first to start producing wheels for scooters with flashing and luminous LEDs. The company manufactures its products from durable translucent polyurethane of bright colors, the diameter of the products is standard for the children's group of products - 80 and 120 mm. The brand's production is based in China.

It is quite difficult to understand which wheels for a scooter are better at the stage of selection, especially when it comes to the first purchase of such equipment. There are many factors to pay attention to. For example, the age of the user. For small children, models are produced only with plastic wheels, schoolchildren are offered options with rubber or polyurethane. For ages over 13, it is better to immediately purchase transport designed for the weight of an adult.

The choice of a place for skiing also matters. Models of scooters with bicycle wheels have low rigidity, in which you can usually change the intensity of the pressure in the tire, adapting the technique for different levels of cross-country ability. To reduce the risk of puncture, tubeless options can be selected to facilitate replacement in the event of a tire breakdown. The best city and stunt scooters are equipped with polyurethane wheels - fast and rigid.

The stiffness of the scooter's wheels affects the shock absorption and acceleration ability. This indicator is important for stunt and speed models. The range ranges from 50A to 101A, with gradation from softest to hardest. The 50A-70A mark is used on the most stable wheel types, able to overcome soft and sticky sand, gravel, uneven asphalt. Soft tires wear out much faster than hard ones.

The stiffness of the wheels must be taken into account based on the weight of the user. The higher it is, the larger the number value should be. Heavy loads increase wheel wear, and if the rider's mass is close to the maximum load capacity.

In addition, the diameter should be considered. The big one has its merits and demerits. Such wheels:

• easy to roll with 1 push;
• have the ability to damp vibrations;
• better overcome bumps on the road;
• complemented by a more spacious deck.

Small wheel diameter - from 100 to 145 mm - has its advantages for adult models:

• ease;
• maneuverability;
• ease of overclocking;
• high response to braking.

The disadvantages include low roll-forward, intense return to vibration.

When choosing the right accessories for your sport scooter, the type of load must be taken into account. For example, wheels for dirt should be inflatable - pneumatic, very wide and large, soft, adapted for riding on mud, soft ground. They will be useless in the city. For ramps and stunts, wheels with a diameter of 100-110 mm, with high rigidity and polyurethane tires are needed. It is preferable to choose a solid-cast disc, more reliable, withstanding intense loads.

An overview of the TOP 5 scooter wheels is given below.