How To Fix A Kick Scooter

Kick Scooter Maintenance - What You Need To Know

Having a kick scooter is not only fun for adults and children, but it's an excellent way to get the physical exercise so many of us need. It is important to know how to continue looking after your scooter whether it is a top kids scooter or a best-selling adult kick scooter so you can prolong the riding adventures. This article will outline what items you should be monitoring and give step by step instructions for the most common kick scooter maintenance points and repairs.

Before Each Ride

Check tightness of quick release levers, nuts and bolts
Check tire pressure, recommended pressure is on the side of each tire
Check tires for damage
Make sure brakes are functioning properly.
Monitor brake pads and potential contact with rims
Monitor positioning of brake cables
If riding in the dark make sure lights are functioning

Monthly Monitoring

Make sure handlebars turn freely and aren't loose
Lubricate the brake cables with multipurpose 3 in 1 oil
Monitor spokes for tightness and tighten if needed
Monitor tires for damage, replace if necessary
Clean the tires and frame with water and protect with a polish wax that is non-abrasive
Monitor wheel bearing adjustment; take scooter for shop if adjustment is needed

A Well Maintained Kick Scooter Will Last A Lifetime

Common Maintenance and Repairs

Some items of maintenance and repairs are common to all types of kick scooters

They have the same components in common and are used in a similar way so the wear and tear is often the same from model to model.

Handle Grip Replacement

If you notice your hands hurt or slip when riding your scooter, chances are you need to replace your handle grips.

Tools needed

A container for water
Utility Scissors
Necessary Parts
Scooter Handle Grips

Steps to Effectively Change Your Handle Grips

Wedge one end of the scissors between the metal tube and handle grip
Cut the grip off and repeat for second grip
In warm water, soak the new handle grips for 2 – 3 minutes
The longer they soak, the larger they get
Beware! soaking the grips for longer than a few minutes could damage them
Dry the inside of the new handle grips and then slide each grip onto the T-tube headset
If they won't slide with ease, soak the grips for an additional 1 – 3 minutes
Allow the handle grips to dry and shrink back to their regular size for 24 hours before using

Kick Scooter Wheel Replacement

When the scooter has been in use over a period of time, one of the wheels could deform. It may even develop flat spots or cracks in some areas. This can make for a rough ride and these steps are necessary to replace the damaged wheel on your scooter. We cover this subject in depth in our how to guide Replacing Kick Scooter Wheels and Bearings but here are the essential steps to take.

Turn The Scooter UpSide Down When Replacing Wheels

Tools needed for replacing scooter wheels

3/16" Allen wrench
Necessary Parts
Scooter Wheel

Steps To Easily Replace your Scooter Wheels

Turn the scooter upside-down with the handlebars on the ground
Using two 3/16" Allen wrenches, insert one in each screw on the sides of the wheel
Hold one screw in place and turn the other in a counter-clockwise direction to loosen it
Once both screws are removed the wheel will be free and easy to remove
During reassembly, do not over-tighten screws, this may strip them
The screws should be just tight enough to prevent the wheel from wobbling
Look for a metal sleeve in the center of the bearing when replacing the wheel that may be out of line
Forcing a screw through a sleeve that is not in line may potentially ruin the wheel
Remove all obstructions inside the bearing of the new wheel and move the inner sleeve in the bearing with an Allen key
This allows the screws to slide into the bearing freely
Finally, put the replacement wheel in place in the frame of the scooter

Aligning the Steering Column

At times a scooter will move in a different direction than intended

These steps will show you how to align the steering column with the front wheel, allowing the scooter to move properly in the right direction.

Tools Needed to Align The Scooter Steering Column

3/16" Allen wrench

Locate the collar clamp near the base of the steering column
Then, insert a 3/16" Allen wrench into the screw in the collar clamp to loosen it
The collar clamp will then be free to move and may slide around the steering column
Grasp the steering column firmly and turn the wheel by hand
Be certain the wheel is perpendicular to the handlebars and alignment is correct
Return the collar clamp it to its original position to clamp down the stem

Tightening the T-tube Column

If you have had your steering column collapse suddenly, you need to follow these steps to correct it and prevent this from happening again.

Locate the T-tube clamp; it is in the middle of the steering column
Pull the lever away from the scooter, this open the clamp
After locating the screw on the side of the clamp, turn the screw by hand in a clockwise direction and finally close the clamp
If the lever is too tight to close simply loosen the screw slightly and try again
This should now lock the T-tube in place

Adjusting the Tightness of the Steering Column

At times a scooter may develop a problem with the steering column and it becomes too difficult or too easy to steer. Following these steps will assist you in adjusting the column.

First, locate the tightening assembly which consists of an upper nut and a lower nut
If loosening the steering column, turn the upper nut counter-clockwise and turn the lower nut counter-clockwise until it is tight against the upper nut
If tightening the steering column, turn the lower nut clockwise until you reach the desired tightness and turn the upper nut clockwise until it is tight against the lower nut

We hope you gained some insight from our guide on kick scooter maintenance and fix tips that if done right will help your scooter provide years of fitness and fun.

Looking after your scooter is essential to keep it on the road and to keep you going. Even the best adult scooters like the MicroFlex Blue need maintenance more than a kids scooter because adults carry more weight which creates greater wear and tear.

Of course, if your scooter's problems are too complex to fix using this guide then go ahead and take the scooter to your local scooter or cycle repair workshop!