Free Midwest Shipping on Sky High

Check out this photo I took of Jeff Mroz and then head over to Sky High, they got a free shipping deal going on right now.

Kévin Boulom | Stick Pegs 2012

Here's a rider I don't think I've ever heard of before.  Kévin definitely has some skill, from the tic tac moves to the dialed 360 downside heels.  This video is to promote Stick Pegs as well as Exode and Oxelo.

Hella Grip Fosters Friday Freeze + "Not a Care" Edit

Andrew Haag is basically just a gnarly ass dude. As you can see in this weeks Fosters Friday Freeze, and in the edit below. The edit features Addy and his brother on the bike, Andrew Haag, and Georgie Louis. Looks like it was a good time for sure. And Andrew definitely almost became a Cave Gnome.

Victory Scooters Shop Opening Reminder

Little reminder for anyone in the So Cal area, if you want to take advantage of some sweet deals, free giveaways, and free food, head down to the new Victory Scooters Shop opening tomorrow! More details on the flyer below.

Anton Abramson Welcome to Raptor Hardware

Anton recently joined the Raptor Am team along with his friend David, whose video you can see a bit further down the page.  Both Anton and David are still developing their own styles but they're fun to watch.  Lots of good spots too.

Proto Armageddon ScooterHut Premiere

Yup, the Chatswood Scooter Hut is having their own premiere of the latest Proto video.  It's sure to be a good time, be there or be square.

HIC vs SCS, A Study by Madis Kukk

This has been a topic of debate among scooter riders pretty much since both these systems came about.  What weighs more, HIC (with an oversized double clamp and oversized bars) or SCS (with a quad clamp, normal or oversized bars)?  Mr. Kukk applied the good ol scientific process to find out the truth.  Read on:

"A friend of mine, Arco, said that I’m a nolifer, but here goes nothing:
since I recently received my next test-run of wees with diffirent crossbars and steertubes (oversized and standard-sized), I’ve wanted to test one of the most wide-spread myths of scooter tech:

HYPOTHESIS:
using standard-sized bars with SCS is lighter than oversized bars with HIC.
__________________________________________

RESEARCH MATERIAL:

[Bars]
* Standard-sized WEE bars, 24x22 minus 1.5” for SCS,
.065” crossbar, raw: 1105g (2lb 7oz)
* Oversized WEE bars, 24x22, full-height (for HIC),
   .065” crossbar, raw: 1220g (2lb 11oz)

[SCS]
* Tilt SCS (w/o adapter): 202g (7.1 oz)
* Tilt SCS “LT”-version: 176g (6.2 oz)
* Phoenix Smooth SCS: 160g (5.6 oz)

[HIC adapters]
* aluminium 54mm HIC adapter by TSI: 20g (0.7 oz)
* crmo4130 44mm homemade HIC adapter: 48g (1.7 oz)
* crmo4130 61mm homemade HIC adapter: 66g (2.3 oz)

[Clamps for oversized bars]
* Proto Half Knuckle: 120g (4.2 oz)
* District doubleclamp: 66g (2.3 oz)

[Other shit]
* FSA topcap with 35mm compressionbolt: ~16g (0.6 oz)
* 104mm oversized steertube piece: 126g (4.4 oz)
THUS THROUGH CROSS MULTIPLICATION
a 1.5” / 38mm piece would weigh 46g (1.6 oz)

___________________________________________

ASSEMBLING:
Now, we put some front-end setups together:
___________________________________________

#1 /// Standard-sized bars with SCS
+ Standard-sized bars, 24x22 minus 1.5” for SCS,
+ Phoenix Smooth SCS with aftermarket 25mm bolts,
+ FSA topcap + compressionbolt
= 1282g (2lb (13.2oz)


#2 /// Oversized bars with HIC (alu HIC adapter)
+ Oversized bars, 24x22 full-height for HIC
+ TSI’s HIC adapter, 54mm, aluminium,
+ FSA topcap + compressionbolt
+ Proto Half Knuckle,
cause half knux are the best (and sorry Helmeri,
but fuck district clamps ‘cause their threads strip).
= 1376g (3lb 0.5oz)


#3 /// Oversized bars with HIC (crmo4130 HIC adapter)
Same shit as in #2 but instead
of TSI’s aluminium adapter there’s
the homemade 44mm chrmo4130 HIC adapter.
= 1404g (3lb 1.5oz)


#4 /// Oversized with SCS (!!!)
+ Oversized bars 24x22, raw
+ minus 1.5” for SCS (1220g - 46g = 1174g)
+ Tilt SCS (1 3/8” compatible; without adapter)
+ FSA topcap + compressionbolt
= 1392g (3lb 1.1oz)


The oversized bars with SCS (#4) weight lies between #2 and #3.
______________________________________________________

CONCLUSION:
So you see, not only having standard-sized bars with SCS is lighter than having oversized bars with HIC, but even oversized bars with SCS are basicly in the same weight ratio as oversized bars w/ HIC systems based on Half Knuckles. HIC bars usually have a notch at the bottom of the bars (HIC, ICS and stock bars usually tend to crack at the bottom if a fair amount of gnarliness is applied, eventually happens to every bar that has a notch) and SCS clamps eliminate the notch-cracking issue. Thus: if you’re choosing between SCS and HIC compressions, choose SCS and your bars will last a ton longer, for-fucking-ever.

The only thing you SHOULD choose between is that either if you’re using a standard-sized tube or an oversized bar, because oversized bars (since they are a heavier by 6%) may help with the weight-ratio by distributing the overall weight of your scooter if you’re using a heavier deck (such as a Stan Smirnoff sig. deck) or whatever, depending on your taste.

BOTTOM LINE:
research proves that even if you’re using oversized bars, you should choose SCS instead of HIC cause’ the weight diffirence is slim-to-none and because SCS eliminates the cracking issue due to notches.
-mk"

Props to Madis for going through the trouble to do this.

David Coe Welcome to Raptor Hardware

David is a young boy out of the San Fran area and recently found himself a spot on Raptor's am squad.  This is the video he made to support the company, I'm diggin it.  It's cool to see SF really starting to get a scene going.

Jordan Robles Lucky Am Edit

As most people know Jordan never really had a chance to "suck" at riding. When you're 5 years old, and you're already ENTERING comps, not just sitting and watching, you start to progress fast. Fastforward a couple of years, and Jordan is no longer praised simply for being so young or small. He is starting to be recognized simply for how good he is. Growing up in So Cal doesn't hurt either, since he always has people to ride with and feed off of. He's turning into a really well rounded rider, riding street and park, and progressing nicely in both. Definitely check out his latest edit.

Proto Armageddon DVD Now at Freestyle Depot

The long awaited second DVD from Proto was dropped recently, and from what I've heard from people it did not disappoint. They are now for sale at Freestyle Depot and usually ship in 1-2 days. Don't think about it, just buy it.

http://www.freestyledepot.com/product_p/psvdar0000.htm

Twisted Dirt Scoots in New Sizes

Twisted has now 4 versions of the URM (aka Dirt Scoot) Chromoly URM "Big boy" , URM Park: Aluminum 30" long x 5.5" wide, URM Youth URM 28.5" long x 5.5 wide & URM Jr 27" long x 5.5 wide same strength, same components, just smaller deck (foot room: 15.75", 13.75" & 12.5" respectively) the Big Boy & Park available now & expect the Youth & Jr December 20th 2012, also new color components to personalize your URM, check our website for details www.Twistedscoots.com & little edit from riders

Thank you guys, safe & happy holidays

Click the link below to see a video of some younger riders riding the new Dirt Scoot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g03ZQ8bRYMA&feature=youtu.be

R.I.P. Stevon Wilson Tribute ft Dan Barrett, Jake Hershey, and Ryan Upchurch

In memory of Stevon Wilson his two long time friends Dan Barrett and Jake Hershey, got together with another one of Steve's friends Ryan Upchurch, and they made this edit for him. Gotta love how all of them can't keep the smiles off of their faces while they recall memories of Stevon. That tells you just how much they love him, and how they remember him.

R.I.P. Stevon Wilson

Issac Miller Throwaway

Well if this is Issac's throwaway, we can expect 100% bangers for his next edit, hell even some of these clips are bangers. Contrary to how much street Issac rides, he can actually ride anything he wants. But I do definitely prefer seeing him ride street. Check out his edit below.

Victory Scooters New Retail Shop

Victory Scooters started out as just an online shop, but they are getting ready to open up their first retail store down in Southern Cali. For more information on that, check out the flyer. Looks like they're having a pretty cool event to celebrate it this weekend.

VertX Free "Build Your Own Complete"

Cool little giveaway/promo going on by VertX, for more information read below.


"We want to share our Christmas Spirit with you. Here is your chance to win a free VertX Complete Scooter. On 12-18-12 we will draw one name from all of you who have liked us on Facebook, that person will win a Complete Build your own scooter. If you have already liked us you are entered, if you haven't "Liked" us yet do so now so you too will have a chance to win. Tell your friends, other riders, everyone you know. Take advantage of our Christmas Spirit and be sure you have a chance to win." - VertX


http://www.facebook.com/VertXScooters

New AO Epsilon Red Complete

So from personal experience, "Complete" scooters, usually lack in many areas. They have a few solid parts, but definitely cut corners on other parts, could be the grips, or wheels, or whatever. Well I recently received an AO Epsilon Complete, and I can say with confidence, they made it a point to not cut corners with this set up. I'm sure you've heard reviews on the new Epsilon Deck, and how it makes the old AO deck look as bad as some people felt it was. But this new deck has been corrected in all areas.

The bars that come with it don't feel cheap like other Completes, and neither does the threadless fork. You also get a set of 110mm 841 wheels with Titen bearings, which I don't care what anyone says, these wheels are fast as hell. You got the AO threadless headset, and finally the Raptor grips..some of the best feeling grips on the market. Below is some information about the AO Epsilon, and below that you have AO riders, Joe Flowers, and Elliot Arnold killing it with a little AO Promo. Overall, if you're looking for a solid complete scooter, at a decent price ...definitely check out the AO Epsilon Complete.


"The complete Epsilon scooter comes with the finest and strongest components available: The threadless fork is forged in one piece out of a block of aluminum under 5 tons of pressure making it extremely strong yet light weight. The headtube is fully integrated and comes with sealed bearings and hidden internal compression system (HIC) which is the gold standard for bikes and scooters. Other features are an oversized Y-shaped handle bar in 4130 Chromoly steel with a triple clamp in 6061 T6 aluminum, flangeless Raptor Scale grips for easy bar spins and shock absorption and 110 mm 841 aluminum wheels for superfast speeds and perfect grip.

The Epsilon deck is made of re-heat treated 6061 T6 aluminum in one of the world’s leading BMX factories. The slightly concave deck is 4 ½” wide (115 mm) and features a completely flat bottom to maximize the grinding area. The red deck comes in 20 ½” (520 mm) and weighs 3.8 lbs. (1.6 kg). Other features are a rounded stainless steel flex brake to avoid flat spots on your wheel and 8 mm high tensile Chromoly axle bolts (12.9 grade)." - AO

Deck in re-heat treated 6061 T6 aluminum

- Fully integrated system (HIC)

- Flat bottom

- Super tough grind plate

- Nose blunt grind plate

- Rounded, stainless steel flex brake (2 mm)

- 8 mm high tensile

Chromoly axle bolt (12.9 grade)

              - Head tube angle 82.5
              - width: 4 ½” (115 mm)
              - Threadless forged fork, 7” (178 mm), closed top, internal thread, compression system
              - Sealed bearings
              - Chromoly handle bar, oversized, height 23” x width 22” (580 x 560 mm)
              - Raptor Scale Grips, flangeless
              - Triple clamp, 6061 T6 aluminum
              - 110 mm 841 wheels, ABEC 7 Titen bearings

Jake Clark DMC 2

Dammit Jake.. why are you so good? I don't know how this kid does half the stuff he does. Hang 5 to tailwhip to fingerwhip was so sick. I'd talk to you about some of his other tricks in this edit, but I don't even know what they're called. Check it out below.

RIP Steve Wilson

Flair from May this year.

You might remember a couple weeks ago Steve was in a car wreck and suffered serious brain injuries...well last night/this morning he succumbed to those injuries.  Although he hasn't been involved with the sport recently as he was in the past, he will be sorely missed by a lot of riders.  He was in one of my favorite videos ever (also featuring Dan Barrett) and I know I'll never forget it.  I didn't know Steve personally (I think I only ever met him once) but from what I saw of him he seemed like a nice guy.  We got to see a little bit of his personality in the first Transit Scooter Tour DVD, as well as some really sick riding from him.  From being in that first Transit video, to throwing down in the sport's first ever street jam, Steve was truly a pioneer in our sport and will always be remembered.

The above links are all videos that feature Steve, check out the ones below for more:
TPCVJ8
Steve/Dan at TIC
Whip Scooters DVD
Whip Mix

Epic Deck and Epic Forks Promo from Scooter Zone

Scooter Zone dropped these two Epic product Promos, one for the brand new Epic Deck, and one for what a lot of riders feel is one of the best forks on the market, the Epic Forks. Nick Darger has been working on the Epic Deck since he was a fetus..or at least that's how long it's felt like. He finally has it just the way he wants it, and it looks great. We also get to see some clips. Jarrod Bruns is one of the cleanest riders in the game today, and he breaks down the Epic Forks, and follows it up with some signature J Bruns Style clips...last clip was tight. Check it.

Phoenix Welcomes Kiara Meade

The Phoenix Team just got a little bit bigger, by picking up a rider whos a little bit smaller than most of their riders. Kiara Meade is the latest rider to hit Phoenix, and I believe their first and only female rider. For a while now a lot of people have believed Kiara to be the best female rider in the sport. Gotta be real, most female riders lovee doing flyout..Well Kiara boosts boxes at TIC like it's no big deal, and her trick list has vastly improved which you can see in her edit below. Dan Barrett and Myself also caught up with Kiara to get a little interview in which you can read below.

For the people who don't know you that much, let us know a little bit more about yourself.

I'm Kiara Meade, live in NJ, I'm 13 years old and have been riding for about 4 years now.

So you've gotten on the Phoenix AM team, how did this happen? How did you get on?

Well, I was thinking it was about time to move on from Razor, but don't get me wrong, they did treat me very well! So i started talking to Dan a little more about Phoenix and he brought the idea to Tom, and he was stoked about the idea of me being a part of the team, and I took a stop on AM. So Dan is how got on the team.

Besides Phoenix giving you the spot on their AM team, what other reasons bring you to be apart of Phoenix?

A big reason is Dan and Jon. We have been close since we all used to be on a shop team called FSP, but then we all split apart from them. I think it is amazing we have all of us together again. i really like the other team riders as well. Also, I had always liked Phoenix parts. My past 2 setups both had Phoenix decks on them!

Any hard feelings between you and Razor that you made the switch?

Not at all! I had informed them in the nicest way possible, and they where completely understanding, which was very awesome of everyone!

What made you want to ride for Phoenix, as opposed to say... the Madd Girls Team?

To be honest, I don't really like the MADD products. I like to ride with what I feel comfortable with. Also, I would rather ride with everyone on one team, because I don't like the idea of being on a different team and kind-of being separated from the guys based on gender.

Do you ever get some of the guys at TIC, or male riders in general talking down on you because you're a girl?

To be honest, not very often. My close friends are super cool about it and don't have anything against it. But, there are some people that don't know enough about me and assume I can't do it. Hopefully, I change their mind when they see me ride.

You have any love for street riding?

Im not the biggest fan of it as you can see haha, but sometimes if im at a good spot with friends, its super fun. I just don't like to film it because im not the greatest at it, and it just isn't my type of riding.

Most of the guys on the Pro team have signature decks, would you ever want a signature deck? If so what would it look like?

I would really like to have a signature deck one day! If i were to have one it would probably be purple with some type of NJ logo on it with Casino Pier, what my local amusement park on Seaside Board walk used to look like before the hurricane destroyed it.

How's it feel to be so young and have so much opportunity? (Traveling, being sponsored, having people look up to you)

It is amazing! I really can't even explain! I am so grateful for what I have. Not many people have the opportunity to do what I do, so I really need to be thankful, and I am. But it didn't come from nothing. I worked hard for where i am today.Barking Spider and Phoenix are also helping me very much, always making sure i have an awesome scooter to ride!. I really want to thank my dad for everything he has done for me throughout my career, because if it wasn't for him, i wouldn't be who i am today.

Do you eventually see yourself getting on the Phoenix Pro team??

One day i think it will happen i know it! But i always have to keep pushing myself harder and harder and keep improving my riding every day. If you really want something, you have to work for it.

Is there any riders you look up to?

I really look up to Joey Aria. He always has his head up no matter what! He has one of the most unique/sickest styles i have ever seen, and i love the way he rides and his awesome personality. He is such a good influence and is for sure a person any young rider should look up to, also.

Is it weird going against the riders you look up to in competitions?

I don't think so at all. We are all just friends having fun. But at the same time, it's crazy that i used to be so little always wanting to be like them, and now im going up against people i always used to want to be like.

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

In the future, i would like to continue riding, but when i become older, i would like to own some type of scooter shop or a scooter company.

There is a good amount of girl scooter riders out there, is there any advice you would like to give to them?

Don't let any of the guys bring you down, because you can do it. Just because we are girls doesn't mean we can't be as good as them, it's just their excuse. Look how far i have came, if i can do it, anyone else can too. You just need to work hard at what you want, and sooner or later it will come.