Stunt Scooters: A Comprehensive Guide
Stunt Scooters: A Comprehensive Guide by CORE Action Sports
Stunt scooters, also known as freestyle scooters, have enjoyed massive popularity in recent years among extreme sports athletes and younger kids alike. They are designed to perform tricks, flips and stunts, offer a high level of manoeuvrability and control. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about stunt scooters, including their history, different types, essential components, and how to choose the right one for you.
A Brief History of Stunt Scooters
Stunt scooters first gained popularity in the early 2000s when riders started to modify kick scooters for mastering tricks. The first purpose-built stunt scooters arrived soon after and quickly gained popularity. Today, stunt scooters have become a mainstream sport, with Pro riders roaming the international circuits for fame and glory!
Types of Stunt Scooters
There are three main types of stunt scooters: entry-level scooters , intermediate scooters , and pro-level scooters, such as the super popular CORE SL Scooter.
Entry-level Scooters
Entry-level stunt scooters are designed for beginners and smaller kids who are just starting to learn tricks, and whips. They are typically made of lighter materials and come at a lower price point. These scooters are perfect for learning basic tricks, such as tail whips, but are most likely not suitable for more intermediate to advanced riders. Our recommended entry level scooter is the CB1 or CORE Foldy. The Mini range has a slightly smaller deck whoch also helps the smaller riders navigate their tricks without a bigger heavier deck.
Intermediate Scooters
Intermediate stunt scooters are designed for riders who have polished their skills and are looking to try more advanced tricks. They are made of higher quality materials and come with more enduring components, such as stronger decks, handlebars, wheels and bearings. Our recommended Intermediate Scooter is the CORE CD Scooter, lots of good options in terms of colour.
Pro-Level Scooters
Professional-level stunt scooters are designed for Pro riders who engage in competitions and nail the most advanced tricks. They are built with premium quality materials and parts, and come with edgy technology, such as alloy handlebars and reinforced decks. Our recommended Pro-Level Scooter is the CORE SL and ST Scooters.
Essential Components of a Stunt Scooter
A stunt scooter is made up of several essential parts, including the deck, handlebars, wheels, fork, clamp, and headset. Each component plays a vital role in the overall performance and robustness of the scooter.
Scooter Deck
The deck is the platform that the rider stands on and is the most important component of a stunt scooter. It is key to providing steadiness, balance, and support. Decks come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, such as aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber.
Scooter Handlebars
Handlebars have a grip for the rider and control the direction of the scooter. Handlebars come in various styles, such as T-bars, Y-bars, and I-bars, and are made of different materials, such as steel, aluminum, and titanium.
Scooter Wheels
Wheels are the part of the scooter that makes contact with the ground. They come in various sizes and materials, such as polyurethane and rubber. The size and hardness of the wheels dictate the speed and cohesion, and stability of the scooter.
Scooter Fork
The fork is the component of the scooter that holds the front wheel in place. It is made of various materials, such as aluminum and steel, and comes in different sizes to fit different wheel sizes.
Scooter Clamp
The clamp is the part of the scooter that holds the handlebars in place. It is usually made of aluminum or steel and comes in different sizes to fit different handlebar sizes.
Headset
The headset of all stunt scooters is an intrinsic park that connects the fork and handlebars to the deck. The headset allows the handlebars to turn fluidly, making it easier to perform tricks and stunts. There are two main types of headsets used in stunt scooters: threaded and threadless.
Threaded Headsets
Threaded headsets have a threaded stem that screws into the fork and deck, providing a secure connection. This type of headset is typically found on entry-level and intermediate scooters and is easy to maintain.
Threadless Headsets
Threadless headsets, also known as integrated headsets, are a newer type of headset that uses a compression system to secure the fork and handlebars to the deck. This type of headset is typically found on the more premium pro-level scooters and creates a more seamless look. Note, they are often more challenging to maintain and repair than threaded headsets.
When choosing a stunt scooter, it's important to consider the type of headset that is best for your skill level. Threaded headsets are a good choice for newbies and intermediate riders, while threadless headsets are best for advanced or professional riders who want a slick and more curated look.
How to Choose the Right Stunt Scooter for You
Choosing the right stunt scooter can be a challenging task, especially if you are new to the world of scootering. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a stunt scooter:
Skill Level
The first thing to examine is your skill level. If you are just starting out, an entry-level scooter may be the best option for you. If you have polished your skills and are looking to smash more advanced tricks, an intermediate or pro-level scooter may be a better fit.
Budget
Stunt scooters come in a large range of prices, from budget-friendly entry-level scooters to premium pro-level scooters. Work oout your budget and choose a scooter that fits within your price range.
Size and Weight
Stunt scooters come in many sizes and different weights, so you must choose one that is the right size and weight for you. Lighter scooters are more maneuverable when performing tricks and easier to carry, but they may not be as durable as heavier scooters.
Quality and Durability
When choosing a stunt scooter, quality and durability are important factors to consider. Look for a scooter that is made of high-end materials and parts, that can withstand the wear and tear of performing tricks.
Summary of Scooters
Stunt scooters are a fun and exciting way to get into the world of extreme sports. With this detailed guide, you now have all the information you need to determine the right stunt scooter for you. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned rider, a stunt scooter is a great investment that will provide hours of fun and excitement.
Stunt Scooters by CORE Action Sports
Stunt scooters are a favoured type of scooter that are designed for nailing tricks and stunts. CORE Scooters are a leading brand in the stunt scooter industry. CORE Scooters are renowned for their high-quality construction and durability, making them a favorite among professional and amateur riders alike.
In addition to being robust, CORE Scooters also have a range of features that make them ideal for smashing your favourite tricks. They have reinforced handlebars and brake systems, as well as larger, wider decks and heavy-duty wheels for added stability. These features make it better for riders to perform a variety of tricks, from grinds to flips and spins.
CORE Scooters are not just for experienced riders, as they offer a range of scooters for beginners and newbies, designed to be easy to use and assist riders develop their skills. This makes CORE Scooters a super choice for anyone looking to get into the exhilarating world of stunt scooters. CORE is very proud to introduce our latest generation of complete stunt scooter, the SL3 (Super Light 3)! After creating some of the most popular scooter parts on the market the next logical step for us to take is producing our own range of pro stunt scooters. We didn't rush this process. Years of design and manufacturing refinement have gone into perfecting it. We couldn't be happier with the final result.
Pro Stunt Scooters | CORE SL3 Scooter | CORE ST3 Scooter
Premium stunt scooters are engineered for performing tricks and stunts on ramps and rails, found in most skateparks This type of scooter is the evolutionary next step from your traditional foldable kick scooter you will have seen in the early 2000's from the likes of Micro and Razor. The major difference between these types of scooters is that professional level stunt scooters are bolted together with 5mm/6mm allen keys to make them inflexible and robust, to withstand jumps and tricks when riding, they are not foldable.
All CORE stunt scooters are constructed from 6061 Aluminium (the stuff they make space ships from). This allows the scooter to be light whilst maintaining its strength.
So what is a Stunt Scooter and what are they used for?
A stunt scooter is a stronger, more robust version of a normal kick scooter. Folding is not a feature on stunt scooters, unlike your average kid's scooter. Size adjustment is also not something you will normally find on a stunt scooter. The non-adjustable parts that make up these scooters is what makes them so durable.
Stunt Scooters are good for both beginners and intermediate riders and are the next step up from a normal kick scooter to learn and progress on. Generally speaking they are bigger than most foldable kid's scooters. They are also smaller than commuter scooters as they require certain dimensions to work well for working on tricks and flips.
Our Stunt Scooters have been engineered to withstand the heavy use of performing trick after trick on the biggest obstacles. Being tested by our very own pro riders around the globe.
What's the difference between a Stunt Scooter and a Pro Stunt Scooter?
A Pro Stunt Scooter is a higher, better quality scooter intended for professional use, and has been engineered to handle most of what you can thorw at it. Pro Stunt Scooters have been engineered with skateparks in mind and are better suited for tricks and stunts at a professional level.
What is a Kids Stunt Scooter?
A Kids Stunt Scooter is generally a smaller, beginner level complete Scooter designed for smaller riders that are moving from a foldable-style scooter to something more sturdy. Kids Stunt Scooters are not as high end as a Pro Stunt Scooter, but they still feature all the best products and components that is needed for a newbie scooter rider. It is important that you choose the right scooter for your size, especially if you are a beginner and buying your very first stunt scooter. Please check out the size guide for more info.
The CORE Mini Complete Scooters are our Best Kid's Stunt Scooters. We recommend these to most younger riders as they are CORE's lightest scooters. We have engineered these complete Stunt Scooters to be as lightweight as possible without giving away strength. The dimensions are ideal for kids, with smaller bars and decks perfectly sized for younger users. With these Scooters being smaller and lighter overall, it will be much better to learn tricks and manoeuvre the scooter which is exactly what you want when buying a Kid's Stunt Scooter.
Assembling a Stunt Scooter
Setting up your Stunt Scooter can be tricky, especially if you haven't built a setup before. All our CORE complete Stunt Scooters come 95% pre-built, the only thing you need to do when you get it out of the box is fit your bars over the forks or into the SCS clamp and tighten the clamp. We also give you with a 6mm Allen key to make the setup assembly even easier. Make sure your Handlebars are inline with your front wheel and everything is tight, after that you're ready to ride.
If you have purchased our aftermarket components and looking to make a custom build? Here's what you need to know. Firstly there are 9 main components that build up a Custom Stunt Scooter and they are…
- Grips (includes bar ends)
- Handlebars
- Clamp (includes Bolts)
- Headset (includes bearings and spacers)
- Forks (includes axle and spacers)
- Compression system (depending on the compression type everything is included)
- Wheels (bearings and bearing spacers included)
- Deck (Grip Tape, Brake, Axles, and Spacers included)
- Grip tape
There are also other parts involved such as Axles, Spacers, Bearings, and Bolts. These parts already come with the 9 main parts we have listed above. For example, wheel bearings come pre-fitted in all of our wheels. Axles and spacers are also included with every deck and every pair of forks we have to offer. We also have supply griptape with every Complete and aftermarket Deck.
Pro Scooter Compatibility
Not all of these parts fit together and this is the most important part about buying aftermarket parts separately. This is where it can get confusing. We have written this article to help you know what parts work with what. This will hopefully make you avoid buying anything that is incompatible.
Firstly you need to make sure your bars, forks, and compression system are compatible together.
Our SL Aluminium bars are only compatible with the SL IHC fork which means you need to use IHC compression with the SL Double Clamp.
If you are using our Squad SCS then you can only use our HIC/SCS version of the SL fork. But with this combination, you can use our Chromoly Steel T bar or you can use any of our Titanium bars if you use the Bar Adapter (which comes with every pair of TI Bars).
You can use the SL IHC fork withTitanium bars IF you also use our IHC to HIC conversion shim. Without the conversion shim, you will not be able to use the IHC SL fork with Titanium bars.
If you don't want to use a conversion shim then we also make a HIC kit that can be used with the HIC SL forks and titanium bars. This is our most recommended combination after SCS if you want to ride titanium bars. HIC forks are a lot stronger than IHC forks as they're thicker and therefore a lot more durable without much weight difference.
What size stunt scooter should I get?
The right size is very important - the Bar height/width and deck length are key. These are the main sizes that build your stunt scooter's overall size. If your Bars and Deck are too big for you then riding your scooter will be a lot more challenging than if it was a comfortable size, same applies if your scooter is too small.
Bar Height is the most critical dimension - if they are too small then this can cause back problems. We believe that the top of your bars should sit between waist and belly button. This is where your scooter will perform best. We also suggest having your bar width the same as your shoulders. But we do offer different width bars across our range, with Ti bars, the SL Aluminium bars, and the ST Chromoly T bar.
Deck Length is another key part of your scooter and therefore needs to fit the rider using it. If you're a younger/smaller rider we advise you to get a smaller and often lighter deck as you will find it a lot easier to develop and practice tricks. This is why we suggest our Mini Complete Stunt Scooters for younger riders as they are light scooters with smaller dimensions. However, if you like a bigger and longer deck then go for it. It's important to ride whatever you're happy with.
Stunt Scooter Maintenance
Although our Stunt Scooters are strong and durable they need to be looked after! No matter how premium the quality of the scooter you need to look after it. This means keeping it out of wet weather particularly. Please don't ride in puddles or go out on your scooter when it's raining. The water will get into the bearings and cause damage, possibly, breaking them. We advise you to keep your scooter inside overnight and do not leave outside in the rain.
Make sure all components are tight and working correctly before every ride. This is critical for maintaining your scooter's performance and your safety. Regular maintenance, and giving your scooter a quick service occassionally is recommended and will improve the lifespan or your Stunt Scooter.
With every one of our complete scooters comes an instruction manual. In this, there is more information about your scooter and how to look after it properly. There is also more information on how to assemble your stunt scooter (with a pictures too!). We recommend that you read through this manual before putting together your new ride. Enjoy!