Since the beginning of scootering most decks were no wider than 4" inches, and just recently the scooter industry has began to release 7" wide decks. Eric Barlow has become an icon for wide scooter decks, gaining inspiration from a Vault Pro Scooters rider Beto (@be.toh on Instagram). After a few years of trial, error and success, Eric has found a unique method of crafting these scooter decks. Coming in at 9.25" wide, he has attached pieces of one deck to the sides of another.
Erics unique take on scooter decks has gained the attention of many names and brands in the scooter scene like, Scooter Brad, Will (whitetrashwilly), Sam Wiens, Outlook industries, Raymond Warner, Scooter Zone, Undialed, and many more.
Receiving all sorts of opinions from good to bad, the interest in wide scooter decks seem to intrigue any rider.
--Here are some frequently asked questions--
1.How much does it weigh/ what parts?
Eric's using the Urban Artt Kaaden Bewley Compund Signature deck which weighs 4.6 pounds. The "extensions" on the side are from a 5" wide Urban Artt Bone Primo deck, adding 2.7 pounds to the mix. Over all the deck weighs 7.3 pounds with hardware, as a complete scooter 12.8 pounds.
2. Price and hardware?
First off you need 2 decks, plus hardware, so it come to about $400-$450. The hardware to attach the extensions consists of 6 axles, about 2.5" inches long. So 3 go on each side to bolt the extension on. Back wheel axle length will vary depending on what decks you use.
3. How do you cut the deck extensions
Scooter decks have inner walls, and for this, you need those to be able to bolt them to another deck. Eric uses an angle grinder to cut along side the inner wall (the UA bone primo 5"), then uses sand paper to smooth down the edges.
4. Why Urban Artt?
Flat sides, a hole on the bottom of the deck, plus the drop outs are very unique. The Urban Artt Bone Primo 5" deck is pretty rare now a days, so Eric had to do some hunting to find these specific dropouts to use for the extensions.
That unique dropout on this deck allows Eric to keep the dropout attached to the extension without needing an axle. It prevents the need to buy a long axle (up to 8"). The dropouts in the extension are there to prevent bending too. The back axle for the Kaaden Bewley Compound deck is unaffected.
5. Alternative options
If you want to use other companies decks, there's a few things to look out for.
-If you can't find those specific Urban Artt dropouts, you'll either have to get a longer axle, or possibly ride without dropouts on the extensions. In the photo below you can see how the dropout will bend on the extension.
-Eric uses the Kaaden Bewley compound deck because it has an opening on the bottom. A flat bottom deck can work but you'll need to cut an opening in between the walls so you can tighten the bolts for the extensions. This picture below is 9.6" wide, Eric used the North Horizon 6.2 (which had a flat bottom), with the Urban Artt Bone Primo extensions.
-Make sure the decks HEIGHT are the same, yes deck height. A proto stands much taller than a Tsi, so there'd be a large lip and it wouldn't ride proper.
6. Is it hard to ride (weight, scraping and strength)
People have hopped on Eric's scooter and can land almost all their normal tricks, along with 50's being way easier. There is a weight difference and possible side scraping if you carve too hard, having 30x120 wheels helps a lot.
Scooters in general vary greatly between park and street preferences. If you like overhead trick, chances are you like light/small scooters. If you like rail and box combos, this wide deck can only increase the fun. Isn't fun the reason we do this!
Check out Eric's instagram to see the scooter in action.
Written by Neal Morrison
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