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Technical scooter terms

1.1 Aluminum alloys, Forge, Heat Treatment (T4-6)




The various metal treatments are divided into alloy categories. The alloy value is determined by the mixture of metals of which the metal treatment consists. In general, you can say that the alloy value is a term for the durability of the metal.

4130 is steel alloy which contains chrome and molybdenum. This material is often called chromoly steel. Common mixtures are: chrome-Moly, Cro-moly, CrMo, CrMo, CrMo, CR-MOLY and the likes thereof. Scooters made from 4130 are lighter, stronger, and harder than regular steel.

6061 refers to an aluminum alloy with magnesium and silicon. The material is easy to work with and weld. That is why it is used on aircraft. A scooter with a 6061 alloy can be welded, but it will lose its strength around the welded areas. Heat treatment can restore material strength after welding. T6 refers to the level of heat treatment the metal has received. The T-value indicates the level of heat treatment. In general, a high T-value restores the lost strength of an alloy or weld etc.

7075 (7000 series) refers to an aluminum alloy with zink which is stronger than any other aluminum alloy. Therefore, scooters made from a 7075 material are the strongest scooters.

The purpose of using heat on the metal is to change the chemical properties. It is possible to increase or restore strength after welding. Scooter parts that have received heat treatment are often stronger than parts that have not received treatment.

Forge is when metal is molded into one piece. The scooter part that is forged is stronger than a corresponding part that has been processed differently, e.g. by welding. Since the metal is shaped by forging, the metal molecules are sorted to fit the part’s form in general. That way the molecules are sorted continuously within the scooter part. The result is a scooter part with improved strength.
   

Scooter decks

Scooter decks/Headtube and neck


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The headtube on your scooter is vital to the fork. This is where the fork runs through and the headset is placed. The headtube is connected to the deck via the deck’s neck. When building a custom scooter, deck choice is a non-issue as you most often choose the deck first and then the various components. If you need a new deck, the head tube length might not fit your old fork.

Therefore, the headtube length needs to fit the fork and compression system. Most head tubes have a length of approximately 10 cm (4 inches).

All scooter decks have a headtube angle of 80-85 degrees – most have an angle of 83 degrees. The headtube angle determines how far the bar will lean toward the rider. A bar which does not lean much makes the scooter feel roomier. Also, it makes for more direct steering. Many scooter brands do not provide this information, as a longer platform often is a better option for a roomier feel.
 

Scooter decks/Integrated vs. Standard


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Standard scooter decks have the headset cup pressed into the headtube. The cups are easily recognized as they will have a different color and structure than the headtube. Further, the headtube is slimmer than the cups, which is also a noticeable characteristic. Standard scooter decks can use threaded and threadless forks.

Integreded scooter decks have integrated headtube cups which makes it wide and sturdy. It can be recognized by the fact that the color and structure are the same as well as the headtube being wide.
 

Scooter decks / Width




The width of the deck need to fit you in order for you to feel at ease while doing tricks and stunts. Riders with big feet prefer a wide deck. Stunt scooters are between 10.5 cm and 11.5 cm wide.
 

Scooter decks / Length




The deck length is important in order for you to be able to fit on the scooter. If you want stability, you need to choose a long deck. However, if you are more focused on riding at a skate park on ramps, you might prefer a short deck. Deck lengths range from 48 cm to 56 cm om all scooters. Decks on stunt scooters range from 50 cm to 53 cm.
 

Scooter decks / Foot Room


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The platform is the area between the neck and the brake. Like with the deck length, it is important to feel at ease on the scooter. Riders with big feet prefer a deck with room for the feet. Platforms on trick scooters are approximately 36 cm.
 

Scooter decks / Concave




Concave is a term most known in the skateboarding community – especially among longboard riders. The term refers to a small curvature on the platform. The purpose is to steady your feet and give you a sense of where your feet are placed on the deck without having to look down. This and the griptape are you most important tools for keeping your feet in place.
 

Scooter decks/Drop Outs




Drop outs is a term known from the bike community. It simply refers to the parts of the deck that reach around the back end of the deck.
 

Scooter Headset

Scooter headset / Introduction


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The scooter’s headset comes in two categories: standard and integrated.

Standard headsets are made for both threaded and threadless forks. These come with cups which a repressed into the headtube. Scooters for beginners which cost less than 94 EUR most likely have a threaded headset.

The more advanced scooters will have integrated headsets with cups being a part of the headtube. The integrated headsets are only compatible with threadless forks! The headtube on the deck will determine which type of headset will go with it (see above).
 

Scooter headset/Part by Type




Regardless of the type of headset, all pro scooters have from the bottom and up: Crown race, bottom bearing, top bearing, and dust cap.

Standard headsets have a cup for holding the bottom and top bearings in place in the headtube. These cups need to be pressed into the headtube with a special headset pressing tool.

Threadless headsets have a pinch ring or compression ring which is mounted around the fork. Threaded headsets do not have a pinch ring. Compression is achieved by the dust cap being screwed onto the fork and then locked in place by the lock nut.
Integrated headsets do not have cups. They are integrated into the headtube (see above for description).