THE CORRECT SCOOTER SIZE DOES MATTER: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOU?
Of course you can hop on and ride a scooter of any size, but it doesn't mean it is going to be safe, comfortable or fun. A scooter that is the right size for your body type and style of riding is going to provide a much more enjoyable experience. We have comprised a list of suggestions on choosing the right pro scooter.
If you or your child are beginner riders, it is important not to choose a scooter that you will "grow into". A Scooter that is too large will make it more difficult and less safe to ride. A proper fitting scooter will provide much more confidence to develop further as a rider.
We will discuss some of the different aspects when considering Scooter sizing in order to create a ride that is comfortable, easy to control and the right fit for your riding style: Beginner, Intermediate, Park, Street.
What Complete Scooter Should You Buy?
There are many things to consider when choosing a Scooter Complete. There is a large range of different features, materials and sizes to choose from.
Price: It may go without saying that the higher amount of money you spend on a Scooter, the better quality Scooter you are likely to get. The lower the cost, generally equates to a lower quality Scooter. There is some truth this philosophy, but as the sport does become more popular and new people of all ages are starting out as beginners, it only makes sense to start out with an entry level model that has geometry more forgiving to all-terrain riding. As your child progresses, you should be warned that these entry level scooters are designed for basic use only and may start to break down as new "tricks" and "stunts" are attempted.
Entry level scooters are meant to create confidence in the rider as they progress towards attempting new stunts and tricks. At some point in the progression riders will lean towards a riding style preference; possibly Street or Park. This is where the world of Pro-Scootering gets extremely exciting! We will continue to dive into the differences between Pro setups for both Park and Street riding, as this will greatly influence the Complete Scooter you purchase, or lead you down a direction to start a Custom Build.
It is worth considering when choosing a Complete Scooter, the type ability you have to expand or modify your scooter as your abilities advance. Most of the entry level scooters will allow you to update Bars, Wheels, Grips. It will be a complete game changer as you progress your skills and you slowly update Pro Parts into your setup. Let us continue with the discussion on sizing!
Scooter Bars
The most important factor for riders of all skill levels is the height and width of the bars. How do you decide which size you need? Does it make a difference?
Height: The standard across the sport is that the bars sit around waist height when the rider is standing on the deck. Anything below or above the waist will make the scooter too hard and uncomfortable to control for new riders. As your skill level progresses you may develop a preference for shorter bars making it easier to do a lot of whips, or alternatively, you may start to prefer longer bars making the scooter more dialed for riding Street ledges and rails.
Width: When it comes to width of bars, it totally turns into a riders preference. There is a general rule of thumb to choose bars that are roughly the same width as your shoulders - the common range being 18" - 22". Technical riders may prefer a narrow bar making it easier for bar spins and if you are a big air, no hands trick rider, then choose wider bars. (It is also common to buy wider bars and cut them down in small increments to find your preference.)
Scooter Deck
When choosing a deck - it's not as hard as you may expect. Larger decks are more comfortable for larger riders and smaller decks are lighter and will be easier for tricks and the entry level rider.
Length: You determine the length by measuring end to end of the flat section of the deck. Anything past the blunt plate is not included in the measurement. Standard scooter lengths range between 19"-22" in length. While some aftermarket decks are offered between 19.5"-23.5"
Width: Complete scooters will come with deck widths ranging from 4"-5". Aftermarket decks range from 4.5"-6", Wider decks are coming more and more popular as scooter manufacturers continuously push the limits of width and length offerings. Wider decks tend to be popular for more stable grinds.
Choosing Your Size: If your just starting out you'll want to base the deck size you choose on your height. If you are below 5', you will want to choose a width in the smaller range 4"-4.5" and 19"-20" long. If you are 5'-6" in height, we recommend 4.5"-5" width and 20"-22" long. If you are over 6' in height, you will want to go with the biggest available width options, 4.75"-6" wide and 21.5"-23.5" length. With all this in mind, don't forget that smaller decks are easier for tricks while larger decks will feel much more stable under foot.
Scooter Wheels
The majority of scooter completes come with either 100mm or 110mm wheels, but you can also get wheels up to 125mm in diameter. If you are just getting into Scooter riding for the first time, wheel size won't be a huge factor. You will want to make sure to choose a complete model with metal core wheels.
If you are looking to upgrade your wheels, this is when the discussion of compatibility may be an issue. Wheel sizes range in many width options, as well as different bearing and axle sizes. If you are looking to upgrade, give us a call or email and we will be sure to help. If you could email us photos and description, we can typically get back with a quick response.