Here's what we see happening in the sport of pro scooters.  

• Top brands like Lucky Scooters and Envy Scooters have released new and updated best-selling scooters.  The Prodigy S9 continues to lead the pack.  Lucky's 2022 Prospect, including the Prospect XL, are amazing.
• The demand for Titanium bars is strong, but cooled off a bit.  My thoughts on this are that while strong and light, Titanium bars are 1) expensive and 2) not indestructible.  Pound for pound, aluminum bars are a better bang-for-your-buck.  Aluminum bars far outsell titanium, when it comes to light.

What about riders just getting into the pro scooter sport?  

We define a 'pro scooter' as having these characteristics

• Solid state - meaning the scooter does not fold up and the bars DO NOT ADJUST
• Metal core wheels - can be solid core, honeycomb or spoked.  Just as long as they're metal/alloy.

• Sealed or mostly sealed bearings in the wheels and the headset

• Built to last - top quality parts on the best brands.

"What is the right entry level pro scooter for my kid?"

We get a lot of questions in our about the best entry level scooters.  A good question so thought it would be good to provide some input.  Let's start with defining what 'entry level' or beginner scooter means.

Most of the time, this question comes from the parent/parents of the younger riders, say 7-11 years old, with little or no scooter experience.  For the most part, the entry level scooters are capable of performing the same tricks as the mid- and higher end scooters.  The difference can be in the size of the bars, usually lower (shorter) and not as wide (for the slimmer shoulders on younger riders).

Another difference is usually the scooter wheel size, which is generally 100mm on the entry levels.  The larger scooter wheels, 110mm and 120mm, offer a little more speed and higher clearance from the ground to the scooter deck.   The wheels can be customized, allowing the entry level rider to make simple changes that set their scooter apart from their friend's scooters.

Wheels are measured via their diameter, and 110mm are still the most common, and are showing up on entry level and even on the minis.  Lucky Recruit is a perfect example.  It is a true 'mini' scooter with the small deck for smaller feet, but it comes out of the box with 110mms.

NOTE:  While newer decks and forks generally support larger wheels, if you're not sure, just ask.  Some older decks and forks, and some smaller completes, may not support 120mm wheels.

For bar height, defined as where the top of the scooter bars hit the scooter rider, in general they like the bars to be between waist and belly button when standing on the scooter.  Younger riders can ride with slightly taller bars, allowing for them to grow with the scooter.  Here's another chart that gets more specific.

Read the chart like this:

1. Average distance between the bottom of the front wheel to the bottom of the bars is 9-10".
2. Add to that the height of the bars on the scooter (example:  20")
3. This number is the total distance, in inches, from the wheel to the top of the bars. (example:  9" + 20" = 29")
4. Now measure your kid from bottom of shoes up 29"
5. This is where the top of the bars would reach on your kid

Finally, I'm giving you averages and generalizations. Some kids are ok with shorter bars, some like taller.  The best thing to do is have your kid try out the different sizes.  But the trend is shorter bars.

Let's talk about prices.  No surprise, but the entry level scooters are less expensive than higher end scooters.  But that doesn't mean less quality. The decks are rugged and have great looking designs.  Some brands even come with a 'sticker pack' so your rider can customize his or her scooter.  Bars and grips are also well made and look good, but again, these can be customized (replaced) on most scooters.

Quick highlights, and then I'll fill in details over the next few weeks as the new products arrive.  But don't feel like you (or more likely, your young shredder) needs to have the latest and greatest.   What I see most often year over year are subtle changes to previous year's models.  Maybe a new bar style, or hollow core wheels, or an improvement in a design.  I'll call out changes so you're in the know.

Let's talk mini pro scooters.  MINI.  For the small kids, typically ages 3-6.  

The Type R mini from Root Industries has become the ticket for a mini.  The deck is a little wider than most other minis, which gives the younger shredder a little more stability. 

To round out the minis, Havoc's mini has been one of the best from the get-go.  These are back in stock now, too.  Whew.  Smaller and lighter than the ones mentioned above, these are perfect for the small shredder.

That's it for the minis.  You can't go wrong with any of the above.  Next, beginner and entry level.

Root Industries moved to my top spot in 2021 for best entry level/beginner scooter.  Absolutely solid scooter; high quality, clean design, right size and decent price.  

Envy Scooters has had the Envy One scooter for a while, and my biggest gripe was the two piece bars.  The latest version, S3, is the first with the one piece bar.  Woot!  Steel bars, which makes the scooter a little heavier than a complete with aluminum bars, but the weight actually gives it more stability.  The colors tends to target the younger riders.  Nice wallet-friendly price, too.

Lucky Scooters - Winner when it comes to entry level with style and aluminum bars.  Solid scooter, excellent brand, sized right for the beginner riders, both boys and girls.  Wouldn't surprise me if we see Lucky introduce some new colors; here's the 2022 line up.

Envy Colt back in limited supply.  I  like the Colt (not as much as the Lucky Crew, see above) but still the Colt is decent.   Same size and price as the Crew, but the Colt has steel bars which makes it about one pound heavier than the Crew.

One last thought. As a scooter shop owner, I'd love to 'upsell' you to the next level scooter.  As a parent of three kids, I wouldn't spend more on an upgraded scooter until I knew my kids really enjoyed scootering and grew with the sport.

Hope this helps!

Pro Scooter Shop

Envy Scooters and specifically the crazy popular Prodigy.  (NOTE:  The Prodigy isn't necessary what I'd call an 'entry level' scooter.  If you have an above average in height kid, then it is a good option).  Envy has just released their Series 9 or S9 models.