Let’s Put Your Scooter on a Diet
How to Make Your Scooter Lighter for More Speed, Height, and Tricks This Summer
Summer’s here, and the skatepark is calling! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner looking to up your scooter game, one thing is for sure: a lighter scooter equals faster speeds, higher jumps, and smoother tricks. If you're aiming to level up your riding experience, it might be time to put your scooter on a “diet” and shed some unnecessary weight.
Here’s our step-by-step guide to making your scooter lighter and trick-ready for the skatepark this summer.
1. Choose a Lightweight Deck
The deck is the heart of your scooter, and it’s where you can shed a significant amount of weight. Switching to a lightweight deck made from materials like aluminum or titanium can drastically reduce overall heft without compromising strength. Look for brands that specialize in high-quality, lightweight decks, and make sure the design includes cutouts or a thinner profile to save even more weight.
Check out our range of decks from Root Industries and Ethic as our top picks for local riders.
Pro Tip: When selecting a deck, ensure it balances weight reduction with durability. Aluminum alloy is often the best bet for reducing weight while keeping it strong enough to handle those gnarly tricks.
2. Swap Out for Lighter Wheels
Scooter wheels come in various sizes, materials, and weights. Opting for wheels with hollow cores or smaller diameters (110mm or 100mm) can help reduce the rotational mass, making it easier to gain speed and perform tricks. Many riders prefer lightweight urethane wheels, as they strike a balance between smooth riding and weight efficiency.
We ride Root Industries Honeycore and Lotus Wheels but the Air Wheels are pretty awesome too as an entry-level light weight option.
Pro Tip: Make sure the wheels you choose still have a high durometer (hardness rating) for a fast, smooth roll at the skatepark, especially when performing grinds or riding ramps.
3. Downsize Your Bars
Handlebars are another key area where you can lose some weight. Chromoly steel bars, while strong, tend to be heavier. Consider switching to aluminum or titanium bars for a much lighter ride. These materials offer excellent strength-to-weight ratios, perfect for performing whips and spins with less effort. Additionally, cutting your bars down to a slightly shorter length or lower height can shave off some extra grams.
We’ve got an awesome selection of Titanium Bars which we prefer too, or the alloy bars are excellent as a more affordable option!
Pro Tip: Titanium bars are lighter but pricier, while aluminum offers a cheaper alternative that still significantly reduces weight.
4. Replace Heavy Clamps with Single or Double Clamps
Scooters often come with triple or even quad clamps, which are unnecessarily heavy if you're focusing on park riding. Switch to single or double clamps to cut down on weight. A well-designed double clamp will still offer great stability and strength without the excess bulk of a larger clamp.
Check out our full range of colours in Root Industries Clamps to lighten up and style up your scooter!
Pro Tip: Titanium clamps are available for those who are serious about weight reduction and don’t mind investing a little more. They’re incredibly strong and ultra-light.
5. Upgrade to a Lighter Fork
The fork is one of the trickiest parts to swap out, but a lightweight fork can make a big difference. Look for forks made of aluminum or titanium instead of steel. Most riders favor threadless forks for a clean, minimalistic look that keeps weight down without sacrificing strength.
We love the huge range of colours of Root Industries Forks which we have in store here.
Pro Tip: Be sure that your new fork is compatible with your wheels and compression system to avoid performance issues.
6. Opt for a Lightweight Compression System
The compression system holds your scooter together and ensures everything runs smoothly, but it can also be a source of unnecessary weight. Look into an Integrated Compression System (ICS) or a Hidden Internal Compression (HIC) system, both of which are lightweight and efficient.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about the best compression system for your scooter, talk to a professional at your local skate shop for recommendations based on your riding style.
7. Stay Balanced – Don't Sacrifice Durability for Weight
While going lighter is great for performance, make sure you’re not sacrificing too much strength in critical areas. Your scooter still needs to withstand the impacts from landing tricks, drops, and the general wear and tear of skatepark riding. Always consider the balance between lightweight and durable when selecting new parts.
Let’s Level Up Your Ride!
Give us a shout if you would like to meet with Sacha at a local skatepark (Tauranga, Papamoa or Mount Maunganui) to see how you can make your scooter lighter and ride better this summer. If you start with just one thing then you’ll soon have the sickest custom scooter of your dreams, and be killing those tricks like you wouldn’t believe!
