Whether you're a fan of tricks in the skatepark or a grind pro in the street, choosing the right deck is essential for riding with a setup suited to your style.
Your deck is made up of several important components. The choice of deck and its elements depend on your body type, size, and riding style, so think carefully before choosing your deck!
1. The weight of the deck: light or heavy?
Choosing between a light or heavier deck is essential because the deck needs to support your weight when landing tricks!
Light deck (1.1 to 1.5 kg): Ideal for performing technical and fast tricks. Perfect for skateparks and aerial tricks. If this suits your riding style, you can opt for ETHIC DTC decks.
Heavier deck (1.6 to 2 kg): More stable for big jumps and solid landings. If you ride street or are looking for more control, this is the option to go for.
Practical advice by Scooter Lab:
If you're a beginner, choose an intermediate deck, not too heavy and not too light, to get used to all types of riding.
2. Dimensions: the right size for your style
Just like the deck's weight, the length and width will determine the stability and maneuverability of your deck. Once again, you need to carefully choose a deck that suits your riding style and body type!
Practical advice by Scooter Lab:
If you're tall or heavy, choose a longer and wider deck to ensure good stability under your feet.
3. The material: aluminum, steel, or titanium?
Most decks are made of aluminum, which is an excellent balance between lightness and durability.
Steel and titanium decks are less common but can be a good alternative if you're looking for a heavier and more robust deck.
4. Shape and concave: comfort and control
A deck with a concave (a slight curve) helps you better position your feet because the edges of the deck are higher than the rest of the platform. This helps maintain control, whether for grinds or aerial tricks.
Beveled decks: Great for the park, they make rotations and quick tricks easier.
Boxed decks: Ideal for street, with square ends for more stability during grinds.
Practical advice by Scooter Lab:
If you do a lot of technical tricks, prioritize a good concave for better foot support.
5. The headtube angle: it changes everything!
The angle of the headtube in relation to the deck will determine the position of the handlebars on the scooter. A higher angle means the handlebars will be positioned farther from your body compared to a lower angle.
The handlebars are closer, perfect for maximum maneuverability and precise rotations.
The handlebars are farther away, providing more space for aerial tricks.
For street freestyle scooter riding, opt for a scooter with a relatively high headtube angle, regardless of your body type!
For park freestyle scooter riding, opt for a scooter with a relatively low headtube angle, regardless of your body type! It's that simple.
6. Compatibility with other parts: don't overlook it!
Before purchasing your deck, an essential step is to check that it is compatible with the other parts of your scooter:
Make sure the deck can accommodate the diameter and width of your wheels, especially if you're using larger wheels.
The headtube must match the type of headset (integrated or not). To keep it simple, an integrated headset should go with an integrated headtube!
The angle and length must be compatible to avoid any installation issues.
Tips by Scooter Lab
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing your deck. The important thing is to choose the one that suits you and matches your riding style, body type, and feel! So don’t pick your deck randomly, and have fun testing different models before making your decision. Your deck is the foundation of your scooter, so choose the one that makes you want to ride.
Once you've chosen your deck, you can also personalize it with griptapes, as many times as you like! Check out all our griptapes for freestyle scooters to make your scooter 100% your own.