The Anatomy of a Stunt Scooter

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	Wheels
	Decks
	Compression Systems
	Handlebars
	Forks

Wheels

Wheel Size

When it comes to stunt scooters, wheel size means one thing: speed. The larger the diameter of the wheel on your stunt scooter, the faster you're going to roll. Most stunt scooters measure wheel size in millimeters, with 110mm being the most common size. 100mm and 120mm wheels are also found on stunt scooters, and wheel sizes can sometimes be switched out; the scooter must have space for a larger wheel if you're going bigger. All Chilli Pro Scooters come with 110mm wheels, except for the Riders Choice V2, which rocks a 120mm wheel.

Wheel Material

Stunt scooter wheels are pretty standard nowadays: polyurethane (PU) tread machined onto an aluminum core. Different brands might have a different PU durometer (aka hardness) but the most common durometer seen with stunt scooter wheels is 85A. Harder wheels (with a higher durometer) might last longer, but they lack the traction and control of softer wheels. Softer wheels on your stunt scooter are generally better for riding on smooth surfaces, like indoors or at a skatepark.

Wheel Core

You might be thinking we’re going to talk about wheel core material here, and you’re wrong. We’re talking about core shape! There are four popular wheel cores: solid, spoked, hollow, plastic.

Let’s start with the last two mentioned: hollow, plastic. Stay away from these if you’re looking for a wheel that is going to last. Hollow cores provide little support and strength to the wheel. As for plastic wheels, please don’t expect these wheels to last long on a scooter that you’re using for anything other than scooting; the impact of landing will deteriorate these wheels extremely quickly.

Solid wheels are a solid choice. Despite being the heaviest of the five mentioned, they will definitely last the longest and are featured on the Riders Choice V2. All other Chilli Pro Scooters come standard with spoked wheels. Spoked wheels for your stunt scooter are also a good and durable choice.

Wheel Bearings

Stunt scooter wheels almost always use ABEC9 bearings and that includes all of the Chilli Pro Scooter products. An ABEC bearing is a maintenance-free sealed ball bearing that comes in two parts, one for each side of the wheel’s bore. The advantage of ABEC9 bearings over ABEC1, ABEC3, ABEC5 and ABEC7 bearings is that the ABEC9 bearings are the tightest of the bunch. Tighter bearings mean more precision, more efficiency and the ability to handle faster speeds.

Decks

A stunt scooter's deck size will vary by the style of the rider. Fast tricks and big combos? You'll want a smaller deck. Riding the streets? You will likely want to go with a slightly larger deck like seen on the Riders Choice V2. Standard deck size is 4.5” by 19.5” and slightly larger decks are 5” by 20” or 21”.

Compression Systems

Alright, this is where things get a little more complex with stunt scooters. The compression system is what holds the bar, fork and deck (i.e. the entire scooter) together and there are three most common types of compression system: Standard Compression System (SCS), Hidden Internal Compression (HIC), and Internal/Inverted Compression System (ICS). Pretty much all scooters are able to use all three of these types of compression with the purchase of a new kit. Let's dig into the details that make each compression system different.

Standard Compression System (SCS) is easily the strongest compression system available for stunt scooters. SCS uses a four-bolt clamp and features a bolt that is placed halfway in the clamp (down to the fork), which keeps the scooter together while allowing the headset to still spin. Once the compression system is tightened, the bars are placed into the clamp. SCS is more reliable and stronger than other compression systems and is the preferred option by Chilli Pro Scooters rider Sean Nicholson. Please note that SCS compression systems will require you to use a handlebar without a slit.

Hidden Internal Compression (HIC) systems on stunt scooters generally are the simplest of compression systems. They use a two-bolt clamp and are lighter than SCS, but not HIC. This compression system is most common with scooters that use a bar that have a large inner diameter and typically require an oversized bar and clamp. Unlike the other two systems discussed here, HIC systems use a shim and are the simplest to assemble. Chilli Pro Scooters feature their own patented Spider HIC system that doesn't require a larger bar or any other oversized parts; it's compatible with any handlebar that has a slit! Spider HIC can be converted to and from SCS with just a simple handle.

The Internal/Inverted Compression (ICS) system for a stunt scooter is for riders looking for the lightest ride possible. And while being the lightest option of the three discussed here, ICS is also the weakest compression system discussed and the most difficult to install, maintain and switch out. The reason why it is the most difficult scooter compression system to use is because ICS requires the stunt scooter's front wheel to be removed in order to be tightened or loosened. Also noteworthy is that ICS tends to be the most inexpensive option of the three.

We recommend an HIC system for your stunt scooter, specifically the Spider HIC compression system that comes standard with all Chilli Pro Scooters. Between its simplicity and ease of conversion, you really can't go wrong with this system.

Handlebars

So we’re talking about stunt scooter bars (i.e. handlebars) after compression systems for a reason. This is because certain handlebars can be only compatible with certain compression systems. As mentioned earlier, Chilli Pro Scooters don’t have this issue because of their patented Spider HIC system that can fit all bar styles.

The best thing about bars is that aside from thinking about compatibility with compression systems, there is a lot of customization possible. On all bars, you can cut down the height and the width to meet your needs.

Bar material can sometimes differ, but strength is going to be your best friend here. Landing a trick just to have your bar break doesn’t look cool and can be painful. That’s why we recommend a tough bar and all Chilli Pro Scooter products use either carbon-reinforced steel or aluminum bars. Titanium bars are also a solid option when available.

Forks

Stunt scooter forks are honestly pretty basic. This piece of the scooter connects the front wheel to the deck and bar. Just like the bar, this part of the scooter also needs to be compatible with the scooter’s compression system (an ICS fork may not be compatible with an SCS bar). As far as material is concerned, stronger is going to be better here, too, so we recommend a steel fork, like those used on all Chilli products.