Pro Scooter (kick type)

[59sled]

Any of you guys have kids that are into these things. They are taking over most of the skateparks in SoCal. I came from a BMX background and thought they were always dumb. It seemed like an easy out for the kids who couldnt skate or ride a bike.
But now my kids have been getting into it more and are building theres up, so I'm slowly warming up to them. I just cant get over how much money they got into these.

Here's 2 vids to show the difference in street riding and park. These are not my kids in them, they are just random vids my kids found that they like.
Raymond Warner: Plain & Simple - YouTube
Boxes Limited - Matt McKeen Promo - YouTube

Each one of my kids has about $450 wrapped up in their scoots. And this is on the lower end too. Some pro built scooters are about $700-800.
Coulpe of pics of my kids scooters.

 

[Skeeno]

I always thought those Razor scooters were kinda dumb, or atleast not for me. It was like NASCAR to me; I just didn't get it. My daughter loves hers, and her cousins have also upgraded to the Pro-style scooters. They all ride the dookie out of them.

Edit: Just noticed the pegs, haha, cool.

 

[Zeus.:God]

I've never really had a problem with them, but really, 450? 700-800? That's ridiculous for about 40-50 dollars worth of material and an unbelievably simple design.

 

[scale4x4]

"I just cant get over how much money they got into these." same reason we put 700.00-1,000.00 and up into our rc's. to get quality parts.

 

[Cheatin]

"I just cant get over how much money they got into these." same reason we put 700.00-1,000.00 and up into our rc's. to get quality parts.

I was gonna' say it's because dad leads by example that the kids want spendy toys too. :ror:

 

[Zeus.:God]

"I just cant get over how much money they got into these." same reason we put 700.00-1,000.00 and up into our rc's. to get quality parts.

Difference is, there is a good bit of R&D and money invested in producing RC's and parts, whereas with these, you've got the same basic design throughout, with no mechanics involved other than a few bearings.

 

[59sled]

"I just cant get over how much money they got into these." same reason we put 700.00-1,000.00 and up into our rc's. to get quality parts.

The one good thing is that they bought most of it with Birthday and Xmas money, well I did buy them the wheels for a Xmas present. Unfortunately when you have 2 boys you have to buy 2 of everything.

Difference is, there is a good bit of R&D and money invested in producing RC's and parts, whereas with these, you've got the same basic design throughout, with no mechanics involved other than a few bearings.

Thats the problem I have with them. Nothing is being reinvented here.


On the plus side you can really tell the difference between these and a stock Razor. Both kids put sealed bearings in the wheels and headsets. They are really fast with the 87a Urathane wheels. Once you get them dailed in with no play, they are pretty much silent, no wheel noise or rattling.

 

[corkysk8]

Check out a set of Super 300's. They are just CVD's/locker made out of way better material. If you watched the video you can see why they pay for one that won't take a crap on them in the middle of handrail.

Difference is, there is a good bit of R&D and money invested in producing RC's and parts, whereas with these, you've got the same basic design throughout, with no mechanics involved other than a few bearings.

 

[corkysk8]

What brand of scooters are in the pic? Post a link if you have one.
Thanks.

 

[59sled]

What brand of scooters are in the pic? Post a link if you have one.
Thanks.

The scooters were custom built with different manufactures. It would have been cheaper if we just bought a complete, rather than build our own. The bars should be cut down in height and width to match the kid riding it.

The decks, clamps and sealed headsets are all made by Blunt. The deck is a Blunt Envy Blunt Scooters but we picked ours up from aces and eights scooters in Palmdale Ca. www.acesneightsscooters.com

The wheels on both are Epic Quakes and the bars on the purple one are Epic Rewinds. The bars on the red one are Viper bars. The wheels are 100mm. You can find most of this on Titetoyz.com
EPIC QUAKES : TiteToyz.com , Your Online Superstore for Scooters, Go-Karts and more!

The forks on both are from Vertx scooters.
SMX V.2

 

[Zeus.:God]

Check out a set of Super 300's. They are just CVD's/locker made out of way better material. If you watched the video you can see why they pay for one that won't take a crap on them in the middle of handrail.

I'm not saying that there aren't over priced RC parts out there, there are, but with scooters, what justifies the high cost? You've got a basic design with no real variables, so the cost of production would mainly be dependent on materials used. Even using the finest of materials and ball bearings, one of these scooters would not cost more than 40-50 dollars unless they're sourcing whole components such as wheel/bearing combos from another company. Even at that point, there is no way I would ever pay over 100-150 bucks for something of this nature, even if that were my thing. I'd either make my own or modify a cheapy to spec.

 

[corkysk8]

Could you post up something you are interested in and justify what you pay for it? Do this in your on thread though.

I'm not saying that there aren't over priced RC parts out there, there are, but with scooters, what justifies the high cost? You've got a basic design with no real variables, so the cost of production would mainly be dependent on materials used. Even using the finest of materials and ball bearings, one of these scooters would not cost more than 40-50 dollars unless they're sourcing whole components such as wheel/bearing combos from another company. Even at that point, there is no way I would ever pay over 100-150 bucks for something of this nature, even if that were my thing. I'd either make my own or modify a cheapy to spec.

Thanks for the links.

 

[jsowens]

I'm not saying that there aren't over priced RC parts out there, there are, but with scooters, what justifies the high cost? You've got a basic design with no real variables, so the cost of production would mainly be dependent on materials used. Even using the finest of materials and ball bearings, one of these scooters would not cost more than 40-50 dollars unless they're sourcing whole components such as wheel/bearing combos from another company. Even at that point, there is no way I would ever pay over 100-150 bucks for something of this nature, even if that were my thing. I'd either make my own or modify a cheapy to spec.

I would also think scooters, even of the pro variety, would be cheaper, but your argument could be said about just about everything. Look at the bicycle, for example. Most bicycles use the same, basic double diamond frame design, but you can have anything from a sub $100 bike to something that costs 20 grand. It's a basic design that you can throw hundreds, if not thousands of variables at to make that price climb.

Obviously bikes are a more complex thing, but the same could be said about these scooters, as crazy as it may be. I'd like to see a scooter made out of the "finest materials and ball bearings" be made for $40-50. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the scooter wheels use the same bearings that skateboard wheels use? If so, take a look at a set of swiss ceramic bearings for those. You'll shell out $100 for bearings alone, simply because of the material used for them and the precision tolerances used to create them. This isn't even taking into consideration what the frame of the scooter is made from. I'm sure someone could get crazy and make one out of something like titanium and the cost would go up quite considerably. Just my $0.02.

59sled, those scooters that you posted up are interesting. A kid that comes by the bike shop I work at talks about scooters quite a bit and pointed out some videos at one point. Sometime folks pull off some pretty crazy things on them.

 

[Zeus.:God]

I would also think scooters, even of the pro variety, would be cheaper, but your argument could be said about just about everything. Look at the bicycle, for example. Most bicycles use the same, basic double diamond frame design, but you can have anything from a sub $100 bike to something that costs 20 grand. It's a basic design that you can throw hundreds, if not thousands of variables at to make that price climb.

Obviously bikes are a more complex thing, but the same could be said about these scooters, as crazy as it may be. I'd like to see a scooter made out of the "finest materials and ball bearings" be made for $40-50. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the scooter wheels use the same bearings that skateboard wheels use? If so, take a look at a set of swiss ceramic bearings for those. You'll shell out $100 for bearings alone, simply because of the material used for them and the precision tolerances used to create them. This isn't even taking into consideration what the frame of the scooter is made from. I'm sure someone could get crazy and make one out of something like titanium and the cost would go up quite considerably. Just my $0.02.

59sled, those scooters that you posted up are interesting. A kid that comes by the bike shop I work at talks about scooters quite a bit and pointed out some videos at one point. Sometime folks pull off some pretty crazy things on them.

What you can buy from the retail market and the deals manufacturers get are two different things. But speaking of cost, I forgot how expensive Aluminum is (assuming that's what these scooters are made from, I'm sure if these particular scooters were made from Titanium they would have a LOT more than 450 dollars in them). 40-50 dollar estimate is now out the window. I'd bet the manufacturer doesn't spend any more than 150 per scooter, and having looked up the price of Aluminum sheet, tube, and retail cost of wheels, bearings and hardware, and knowing that large manufacturers of any sort have ins with various suppliers, I'd say that's probably a pretty generous estimate. Keep in mind, my original statement regarded cost of materials. That's still what I'm talking about.

Also, bicycles and scooters are far different when concerning design. There are a lot more weight savings to be had on a bicycle, and due to the nature of a bike, expensive, light, but relatively fragile materials can be used to make frames, wheels, handle bars, etc, etc. There is also a lot more going on mechanically with derailleurs, shifters, gearing, and brakes. With many more components and suitable materials available, some of which must be manufactured from multiple other materials, the issue of quality becomes a much greater factor- not so much an issue with a scooter.

Could you post up something you are interested in and justify what you pay for it? Do this in your on thread though.


Thanks for the links.

I'm pretty sure the OP mentioned the ungodly cost of these things. I'm sticking to the subject by posting my opinion on the subject.

 

[ser3100]

I am in the same boat as you are 59. My 12yr old who btw is into scaling as well is in the process of building his own little scooter (with the help of mom and dad). Hes saving up to get a new Phoenix deck ($230) OUCH! He loves it though so what can i say. Im growing into it as well. I dont ride them but i will be honest, they look cool all blinged out!

 

[corkysk8]

I come from a background in skateboarding, so I can see the reason for the cost. You can buy a $29 skateboard from Wal-Mart, but I would not trust it in a vert bowl or to ollie a 8-set of stairs. If you follow the links and look at the material, welds, machining, and specs (R&D) of these things you could see where they get expensive. Most stuff at this level has been designed with the input of professional level riders, who have to be reimbursed for their skill. If my teen child was wanting one of these to ride for aggressive street or skatepark use I would consider it an investment in his/her safety. Good job dads"thumbsup"

 

[braceysdad]

I'm more of a roller skate dance kinda guy but, to each his/her own...

Not me but I have this same outfit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9seAysVeDGI

 

[59sled]

I am in the same boat as you are 59. My 12yr old who btw is into scaling as well is in the process of building his own little scooter (with the help of mom and dad). Hes saving up to get a new Phoenix deck ($230) OUCH! He loves it though so what can i say. Im growing into it as well. I dont ride them but i will be honest, they look cool all blinged out!

Does your kid ride street or parks?

My kids are 8 and 11 yrs. old. My older one wanted a Phoenix deck but then he realized how long it would take him to save that much just for a deck, so we went with the cheaper of the pro decks. Phoenix decks are great for the older kids that ride them harder. My kids arent at that level yet. Craziest they can do are tailwhips off the 4 bank stairs. At least with the Phoenix decks he can grow into when he gets older.

Get a Phoenix deck and Proto wheels and you will pretty much have a top of the line scoot.

I come from a background in skateboarding, so I can see the reason for the cost. You can buy a $29 skateboard from Wal-Mart, but I would not trust it in a vert bowl or to ollie a 8-set of stairs. If you follow the links and look at the material, welds, machining, and specs (R&D) of these things you could see where they get expensive. Most stuff at this level has been designed with the input of professional level riders, who have to be reimbursed for their skill. If my teen child was wanting one of these to ride for aggressive street or skatepark use I would consider it an investment in his/her safety. Good job dads"thumbsup"

I guess the price would be in the machining, anodizing, welding and powered coating also. Everything on the scooters are aluminium except the bars. The manufactures of the deck are always trying to come up with the lightest and the stongest decks. I've always lived by the you got to have the right tools to do the jobs right.

 

[Zeus.:God]

I come from a background in skateboarding, so I can see the reason for the cost. You can buy a $29 skateboard from Wal-Mart, but I would not trust it in a vert bowl or to ollie a 8-set of stairs. If you follow the links and look at the material, welds, machining, and specs (R&D) of these things you could see where they get expensive. Most stuff at this level has been designed with the input of professional level riders, who have to be reimbursed for their skill. If my teen child was wanting one of these to ride for aggressive street or skatepark use I would consider it an investment in his/her safety. Good job dads"thumbsup"

Anything can be made expensive. I've seen what these do, and its not really news to me, but the cost is. Never really looked into it before so that much of an investment in something that is still produced with what appears to be aluminum plate/tubing with 4 bearings and a few machined collars. I would expect to pay that much for something with a lot of billet/fancy parts, where as these look to be "entry level" for scooters in general. All I'm really saying is, the markup on these has got to be insanely high.

EDIT:

What are the bars made out of, Sled?

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

Anything can be made expensive. I've seen what these do, and its not really news to me, but the cost is. Never really looked into it before so that much of an investment in something that is still produced with what appears to be aluminum plate/tubing with 4 bearings and a few machined collars.

There is way more to building these than you are taking into consideration.

Materials are the cheapest part of the equation.

Its not like all the aluminum bits show up at the door and machine and anodize and assemble and test and drive themselves to retail and customer locations. You have to buy equipment and pay people to operate them. You have to pay for a building for that equipment and those people to work in. You have to spend valuable time and money setting up an efficient assembly process. You have to pay people to answer phones, keep track of inventory, take and place orders, interact with customers, design, advertise, deal with vendors, do your taxes, do your payroll, make sure you comply with state and federal business standards, maintain your building, handle your shipping.....

Do I need to go on?