Stunt Scooter Forks

How to Choose the Right Fork for Freestyle Scooter and What is Its Use?

The fork is one of the most important components of a freestyle scooter because it holds the front wheel. It is also the constituent element that will allow you to steer the scooter in combination with the handlebars.

The Different Materials of a Freestyle Scooter Fork.

Forks are mostly made from aluminum alloy. But there are also steel forks, and some manufacturers are experimenting with titanium forks.

• Aluminum forks are very lightweight, weighing around 300 grams, and suitable for all types of riders. This material being low density and flexible, it forces brands to make thick forks, but this allows for very strong finished products like OATH forks. Be careful in case of wear to check that there are no cracks on it, it could break abruptly during a trick.
• Steel forks were the first to equip our freestyle scooters. They are heavier than aluminum forks without being stronger. Cheaper to manufacture, the selling price will be much more attractive. Today we mainly find this type of fork on recreational scooters, entry-level freestyle or on older models.
• Titanium forks are still in the prototyping phase, but we can already imagine that they will be present in the future of the sport. Titanium is a stronger material than aluminum for less weight, what more could you want? However, it is also a more expensive material, making it a slightly less accessible product in terms of budget.

The Shape and Angle of the Freestyle Scooter Fork, a Choice Specific to Each Rider.

There are forks of all shapes, but ultimately there are only 2 main categories: OFFSET and 0° OFFSET. The difference between these two designations lies in the angle of the fork.

• 0° OFFSET means that the wheel axis is in line with the fork in its center. The wheel is therefore at 0° whether it is forward or backward from the center of the fork tube. This allows for a more responsive fork without worrying about the fork direction since you can ride your fork upside down as well as right side up.
• OFFSET, on the other hand, means that the wheel axis is slightly offset from the center of the fork tube. This is the most common case with generally 10° of OFFSET. In this case, the fork allows for better stability, but you will need to exert a little more force for figures like "nose manuals," for example. Some riders turn their fork over to regain the effect of a 0° OFFSET fork, but beware of faceplants!

The Diameters of Existing Forks.

In the market, there are 2 types of fork diameters:

• • • Les fourches Ø 27.8 mm extérieur represent the majority of products available. This medium diameter corresponds to what is called the standard diameter, which has not evolved since the appearance of freestyle scooters. These forks are adaptable with an HIC compression system, an ICS, and an SCS.
    • IHC forks have a smaller diameter. In fact, it is a fork with an integrated compression system called IHC and which only works with this type of fork. When you equip this combo, you finally get an outer diameter of Ø 27.8 mm fork but already compressed, you just need to install your handlebars on it.

A freestyle scooter fork with or without threading.

The question doesn't really arise since today, most forks are made without threading for easier connection between the bar and the fork. Threaded forks are a residue of old nut compression systems inspired by bicycles. Today, they are only found on steel forks of city scooters or some entry-level freestyle scooters.

Regarding non-threaded forks, don't forget that you need a compression system for them to be properly usable.

IHC, ICS, or HIC Forks.

Regarding non-threaded forks, there are several types depending on the compression systems for which they are designed.

• • • IHC forks, as we saw earlier, are a smaller diameter fork that works in combination with an integrated compression system called IHC, which, once equipped and compressed, is equivalent to the same diameter as a standard fork. You can find these forks at BLUNT for example.
    • ICS forks are standard diameter and hollow, with no interior threading to allow the ICS compression bolt to pass through. These forks are not usable with HIC or SCS systems.
    • HIC/SCS forks are easily identifiable, as they are always sold with a compression bolt at the top of the fork tube like some models of ETHIC forks. This same bolt is to be reused to install the different SCQ or HIC compression systems. This type of fork is not adaptable with an ICS compression system.

Discover the whole universe of freestyle scooters at our Nomadeshop store located in Paris Bastille and on our website.