Scooter wheels: varieties, brands, choice

The right wheels for the scooter are no less important than a stable deck and a reliable handlebar fork. They are the first to take the blows of the road surface, therefore they must correspond to the tasks that are assigned to this structural element. True, finding information about which wheels to choose is quite difficult. There are models on the market with a diameter of 100, 110, 175, 200 mm and other options that it is simply impossible to understand without additional study of the information.

The dilemma: rubber or pneumatic wheels, polyurethane or silicone - faces scooter lovers for a long time. Some materials are well absorbed, but inferior in speed. Others wear out quickly and have to be changed frequently.

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

• Plastic. Wheels made of polymeric materials are mainly used on scooters for babies. Models with plastic tires look bright, but have no cushioning, make a lot of noise when riding, and weigh a little. They can not withstand a large load, they are focused on use exclusively on a flat asphalt surface.

• PVC Such 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 support high speed, confidently slow down, but they can behave unpredictably when the atmospheric temperature drops.

• Silicone Safe, environmentally friendly material, not designed for operation under heavy loads.Silicone wheels for scooters are focused mainly on children and teenagers. They have good cushioning properties, not noisy, but quickly erased. Such 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 is significantly increased, and traction is also deteriorated.

• Rubber. Pure rubber mixtures 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 molded and hollow molded products with good performance.

Disks matter too. Solid cast - The most reliable and durable, but they can be found only in high-class, professional scooters. Spokes the wheels are less rigid, so most often they are installed on off-road versions of equipment, where depreciation is more important. Scooters are suitable for beginners with plastic discs sufficient for a leisurely urban ride.

To understand what is affected by the diameter and thickness of the scooter wheels is quite simple. The main thing that is determined by these indicators is stability, mobility and speed characteristics of the vehicle. A 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 wheel diameters of 100, 110 mm belong to the category of tricks. They are used for jumping, riding on ramps. They are very maneuverable, quite light, allow you to gain the necessary speed. With a wheel diameter of 125 mm, the scooter is already considered universal and is suitable for adolescents, adults to ride on high-quality asphalt surface.

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

Off-road models have not only high, but also wide tires with indicators of 200x50 mm. Spicy bicycle wheels are used here, providing sufficient cushioning and maneuverability.

When choosing wheels for a scooter, it is worth paying attention to the fact that in this area there are a number of the most well-known manufacturers, of which there is no doubt as components. Most of them are produced by the two-wheeled vehicles themselves, which means that it will not be difficult to replace components in the event of a breakdown.

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

• Fox A Chinese brand specializing in the production of extreme stunt and trick scooters, as well as spare parts for them. The company produces wheels with spoke and solid wheels made of aluminum, hard polyurethane tires, ABEC 9 bearings. Two-tone versions are especially popular, in which the colors of the tire and rim have a contrasting gamut.

• Hipe. One of the leading manufacturers of stunt scooters. The company is based in Spain, the production for cheaper has been moved to China. The company has an original approach to the design of rims. Here you can find solutions with holographic effects, perforation, knitted and solid-colored multi-colored options, as well as wheels for sod.

• Tech Team. The Russian brand that produces scooters and other products for outdoor activities. Accessories are made mainly to their own models. Bright, stylish design of wheels for stunt scooters distinguishes the company from many competitors. Holographic effects, graffiti paintings, 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 glowing LEDs. The company manufactures its products from durable translucent polyurethane in bright colors, the diameter of the products is standard for the children's group of products - 80 and 120 mm. Brand production is based in China.

To understand which wheels for a scooter is better is rather difficult at the selection stage, 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 young children, models are produced only with plastic wheels, students are offered options with rubber or polyurethane. For ages older than 13 years, it is better to immediately purchase vehicles that are designed for adult weight.

Choosing a place to ride is also important. Models of scooters with bicycle wheels have low stiffness; in them you can usually change the pressure intensity in the tire, adapting the equipment to a different level of patency. To reduce the risk of puncture, tubeless options can be chosen to facilitate replacement in the event of tire breakdown. The best city and stunt scooters are equipped with polyurethane wheels - fast and hard.

The degree of stiffness of the scooter wheels affects cushioning and acceleration. This indicator is important for stunt and speed models. The range varies from 50A to 101A, with gradations from the softest to the toughest. Marking 50A-70A is used on the most stable types of wheels that can overcome soft and viscous sand, gravel, uneven asphalt. Soft tires wear out much faster than hard tires.

Wheel stiffness must be considered based on the weight of the user. The higher it is, the greater should be the number value. Intense loads increase wheel wear, and if the mass of the skater is close to the maximum load capacity.

In addition, it is worth considering the diameter. The big one has its advantages and disadvantages. Such wheels:

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

The small diameter of the wheels - from 100 to 145 mm - for adult models has its advantages:

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

The disadvantages include a small roll-up, intensive feedback on the vibration effect.

When choosing suitable components for sport scooters, the type of loads must be taken into account. For example, the wheels for the sack should be inflatable - pneumatic, very wide and large, soft, adapted for riding on mud, soft ground. In the city they will be useless. Ramps and stunts require wheels with a diameter of 100-110 mm, with high stiffness and polyurethane tires. It is preferable to choose a solid cast, more reliable, withstanding heavy loads.

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