Freestyle Scooter Pegs: What Are They For, Who Are They For, and How Do You Install Them?

⚡ In short: pegs are metal tubes on the wheel axles, used for grinds. A beginner doesn't deal with them.

They’re intended for advanced street riders who already ride rails and ledges. They are unnecessary for children and beginners, and are generally starting to become obsolete. They are not included in the sets and must be purchased separately.

A peg always fits on the fork; you just need a longer bolt or axle. The board must have peg-cut ends and, again, a longer screw. Whether the longer shaft is included in the package varies from product to product. The first pegs are mounted on only one side.

🔩 What are pegs and what are they used for?

A peg is a short metal tube that fits onto the axle of the front or rear wheel and protrudes from the side of the scooter at the center of the wheel. You know the same part from BMX. Used for grinds: the rider hops onto a peg and slides along a rail or the edge of an obstacle instead of riding on the underside of the deck. Some street tricks can’t be done without pegs.

Pegs are not included with complete scooters; they are sold separately. On a scooter, there can be 1 to 4 of them (on each side of each axle). Of course, you can ride and practice jumps, whips, or barspins without them; pegs are an accessory, not essential equipment.

👤 Who are pegs useful for, and who are they not for?

Pegs are used by riders who already ride street (streets, stairs, railings) and can grind on edges without them. For beginners and most children, they’re unnecessary: they don’t know how to use them, they add weight, get in the way during whips, and give you something to hit when you fall. To be fair, pegs are generally starting to become a thing of the past: at skateparks, riders grind on the deck, and even on the street, fewer and fewer riders use them.

🔍 Do pegs fit every scooter?

Almost. The peg is fitted onto the wheel axle and tightened with a longer screw. A peg fits on each fork; all you need is a longer bolt or axle. The board must have peg-cut ends (beveled at an angle; see the article about boards) and, again, a longer screw; you cannot fit a peg onto square boxed ends. Not every peg fits every board: the shape of the board ends and the axle diameter vary.

The safest choice is a peg from the same brand as the deck or fork. For another brand, check with the manufacturer which boards the peg fits, or send us the name of the board. What’s included (screws, longer axles, number of pieces) and what material the peg is made of vary from product to product; you’ll always find this information in the description of the specific product. The rear wheel peg must be fitted so that it does not interfere with the brake.

🔧 Where and how to install pegs?

Where: install the first pegs on only one side of the scooter, the side the rider most often uses to hop onto an obstacle. Whoever gets on from the right side puts the peg on the right. Whether in the front, back, or both depends on the tricks; most people start with one peg at the back or two on one side. Advanced street riders even ride with three or four and switch them around depending on what they’re going to ride.

Tools: 6 mm Allen key (5 mm on some scooters) and a 13 mm wrench if the axle ends with a nut.

1. Check the packaging. Find out whether a longer axle or screw is included with the peg, or whether you need to purchase it separately. You can’t install it without a longer axle; it varies from product to product.
2. Loosen and remove the original wheel axle on the side where the peg belongs. Leave the wheel, spacers, and washers in place, or remember their order.
3. Insert the longer axle through the fork (or plate) and the wheel from the opposite side to where the peg will be.
4. Install the peg on the protruding part of the axle and tighten the peg screw. Tighten securely; the peg is subjected to the most stress during grinds.
5. Check the wheel. It must rotate freely without any sideways play. If the axle is too long and the wheel has play, add spacers; if it is too short, it won’t engage enough threads and will snap off during the first grind.
6. Leave the original shaft and tools in your backpack. In some skateparks, riding with pegs is prohibited, even if the pegs can be removed in no time.

⚠️ Most common mistakes

• Beginner pegs “just for show.” They add weight, get in the way, and the child won’t use them. Wheels or grips are better.
• Purchase without checking the board. Without peg-cut board ends and a longer axle peg bolt, you cannot mount it on the rear axle.
• Installation with the original short axle. It catches a few threads and strips on the first grind.
• Bet on both sides at once. It starts with one side, the one the rider mounts.
• Riding in a park where pegs are prohibited. Bring your tools and the original axle with you.

❓ FAQ