Riding a scooter is great fun – that's what scooter fans gonna say to you first. And besides many health benefits that riding a scooter in your free time brings, you may want to look closely at this new hot sport – freestyle scooter riding. It became widely popular in the last decade, making people all over the world “crazy” about all things scooters - handlebars, decks, clamps, wheels... But before you jump into buying a pro scooter, take a few handy advice about handlebars of a scooter so that you can make the right decision.
The handlebar is one of the key factors that determine handling, strength and overall comfort of your ride. So investing in a pro scooter bar may increase your performance, feel and look of your rides in a great way. Bars for scooters are available in many different styles and choosing the right one is up to your personal preferences. Although quite challenging, finding the right type might be way easier when you narrow down a few following characteristics.
The handlebar is one of the key factors that determine handling, strength and overall comfort of your ride. So investing in a pro scooter bar may increase your performance, feel and look of your rides in a great way. Bars for scooters are available in many different styles and choosing the right one is up to your personal preferences. Although quite challenging, finding the right type might be way easier when you narrow down a few following characteristics.
Compression Styles and Handlebar Diametres
There are three main compression styles and according to them, you'll need to pick up the adequate bar diameter. IHC compression bolt is tightened down into the forks that squeeze the headset, allowing the bars to be secured on the top. With HIC compression, a shim is tightened over the fork before the bars are slid on the top. SCS compression has a lower part of the clamps to hold forks and headsets in place, and upper part of the clamps that hold the bars.
Available scooters handlebars come in two different outer diameters – standard and oversized (31.8mm and 34.9 mm) and three different inner diameters (28.7mm, 31.8mm and 25mm) respectively. Standard bars have an external diameter of 31.8 mm which means they can only be paired with IHC or SCS compression system. Oversized bars have an outer diameter of 34.9 mm and are adequate for HIC and SCS setups. They can be found on both aluminium and titanium handlebars and have inner diameters of 31.8mm. The description is usually in the product specification section, and you may always ask for clarification If you feel confused.
Available scooters handlebars come in two different outer diameters – standard and oversized (31.8mm and 34.9 mm) and three different inner diameters (28.7mm, 31.8mm and 25mm) respectively. Standard bars have an external diameter of 31.8 mm which means they can only be paired with IHC or SCS compression system. Oversized bars have an outer diameter of 34.9 mm and are adequate for HIC and SCS setups. They can be found on both aluminium and titanium handlebars and have inner diameters of 31.8mm. The description is usually in the product specification section, and you may always ask for clarification If you feel confused.
Handlebar Designs
You'll find scooters handlebars in two main designs, which are “Y” and “T” - both named after their shapes. At the same dimensions, T bars will be lighter than the Y shaped ones. T bars are more popular among street riders because of 0 degrees swept angles that give an instant steering response and smooth bar spin. But they are not as strong. Y bars add two additional bars to the metal to reinforce the weakest part of the handlebars. They are way stronger and tend to go through heavy, extreme use.
Material
Handlebars for scooters come in a range of different materials, but most commonly, you'll have to choose from alloy, aluminium and titanium. The material handlebars are made from will greatly impact its quality and weight. Alloy scooter bars are the most common and cost-effective option, and they will be available in both standard or oversized types. They offer a good compromise between strength and price. But they will be significantly heavier than either the titanium or aluminium handlebars. For instance, at the same dimensions, aluminium handlebars will weight 900 g while alloy handlebars would be 1,200 g. Titanium handlebars at these dimensions would be 700 g. Generally, alloy handlebars at standard dimensions wouldn't weight less than 1000 g.
Considering strength, titanium handlebars are the strongest, followed by steel and then aluminium as the weakest among all. But blame the price which is a multiple of alloy or aluminium as the main reason why not so many people choose titanium. Aluminium handlebars should be your choice if you weight less then 50 kgs and have a clean riding style. For these handlebars, it's essential that you use a clamp that completely covers the handlebars' slit.
Considering strength, titanium handlebars are the strongest, followed by steel and then aluminium as the weakest among all. But blame the price which is a multiple of alloy or aluminium as the main reason why not so many people choose titanium. Aluminium handlebars should be your choice if you weight less then 50 kgs and have a clean riding style. For these handlebars, it's essential that you use a clamp that completely covers the handlebars' slit.
Size
The final feature to look for when choosing handlebars is the height and width. And the current trend is – the wider and taller, the more popular. But, if you're an entry-level rider, you should choose dimensions that suit you the best. The rule of thumb is – the handlebars width should be at least at your shoulder width. And the height should be measured from the bottom of the steering tube up to the horizontal crossbar. Most pro scooters come with bars that are 530 – 600 mm high and 460 – 560 mm wide, as this is considered the safest range.
The important thing you should keep in mind when purchasing your scooter parts is that investing in high-end parts from the beginning will be better in terms of cost-cutting. High-quality handlebars may seem costly at first, but replacing them continuously will eventually cost you more. Because handlebars are strong, but they're not unbreakable.
The important thing you should keep in mind when purchasing your scooter parts is that investing in high-end parts from the beginning will be better in terms of cost-cutting. High-quality handlebars may seem costly at first, but replacing them continuously will eventually cost you more. Because handlebars are strong, but they're not unbreakable.