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Repair or customise your speaker grills with acoustic fabric

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 19:55:11 +0100

Speakers can be expensive and sensitive pieces of kit. Most come with grills or covers which protect the speaker itself from dust and damage, but there are a number of situations in which you might want to make your own. Whether your grill is damaged or you want to make a custom cabinet, acoustic fabric is a great material to help you create what you need quickly and easily.

Speakers are designed to emit sounds, which are essentially vibrations in the air. When speaker grills are designed, special fabric or mesh has to be used which will allow sound to pass through it, while providing some protection for the speaker. This fabric is usually stretched over a frame to keep it taught.

If your speaker grills get damaged, it’s easy to repair them. The first step is to remove the old ones, which may be pinned or screwed in place. While screws are easier to remove, pins can be pried loose with a screwdriver. The next stage is to remove the existing cover by taking out the staples or sliding a blunt knife under the glue. Finally, new acoustic cloth can be cut to size and attached to the frame. Staples are often the easiest thing to use.

Changing the cover of your speakers can also be a great way to update their look. Speaker fabrics come in a range of colours and textures, from the traditional black to grey and silver. The cabinets themselves often last better than the grills, which get dirty, faded and torn. Re-covering them can make your speakers look new again.

You might be planning something more involved. A lot of people like to put new speakers in their car and build custom cabinets for them. While these could be left uncovered, adding grills to the design can make it more attractive, as well as giving the speakers more protection. This applies to custom projects at home, as well. You could make a chair with speakers built into the headrest or use the cloth to hide your speakers away entirely. This is especially useful if your speakers are looking a little dated but still sound fantastic.

An alternative to speaker fabric is acoustic foam. This also lets sound through, but is more rigid. It’s great for creating a grill from scratch as you don’t need to build a frame out of wood. A lot of companies also sell grommets for attaching it to the cabinet.

If you’re interested in audio quality it’s important to get high quality materials. Just as a cheap phono cables affect the performance of your hi fi, using substandard fabric to cover your speakers will deaden the sound.

Nexxia sell a huge range of audio and home cinema equipment, from phono cables to acoustic fabric. Their cloth is available in a number of sizes and colours, and has great acoustic transparency for great quality sound.
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The Key to a Great Fitted Kitchens – Being Informed

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:41:56 +0100

Information. That's the key to getting a fantastic new fitted kitchen for the best possible price. Even if you’re only planning a kitchen remodel, better information will help you make a better choice. Before talking with suppliers, you should work out as closely as you can what it is you are looking for in your new fitted kitchen or kitchen remodel.

List Your Individual Needs

People who bake pies might wish for a slab of marble for rolling out dough. Couples who entertain frequently may need to make space for a chilled foods unit. Families with younger children who do homework at the kitchen table might like to include a special storage area for their school supplies.

Identify the Kitchen Type

Kitchens can be fitted or free standing. Fitted kitchens give a smooth and seamless look. They increase the value of a property. Free standing kitchens allow for new fittings to be incorporated with old ones. It’s also possible to blend in furniture pieces to create a unique look.

Create a Good Design

Good kitchen designs maximise space, minimise “traffic jams” and are aesthetically pleasing. If the only way to get to the fridge is via the sink, anyone doing the washing up will have to move to give access. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, then spend some time considering what annoys you about your current kitchen arrangement.

Websites offer online planning tools so you can arrive at the best design. You can choose the style of your fitted kitchen and arrange units to see how different layouts would look in practice. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, then you could use it to recreate the current layout of your kitchen and then move units around or change styles.

Select Materials and Colours

Modern fitted kitchens incorporate materials such as wood, stone, laminate, and stainless steel. The range of available colours is simply amazing, and styles covering everything from the rustic to minimalist modern. Take a look around some kitchen planning and quotation websites to see what sort of deals, materials, styles and colours are available.

Work Out a Budget

Think carefully about the amount of money you want to spend. Shop around on the Internet to get a good idea of prices. Then, estimate the cost. Too much? Consider choosing a less expensive material or changing the design.

Check Out the Market

Shop online. Websites offer free same day quotes on your new kitchen. Finding out exact costs puts you in the best position to evaluate offers from retailers or make an offer yourself.

Kitchens for Sale work closely with a wide range of kitchen suppliers across the UK to supply you with the best quotes for a fitted kitchen or kitchen remodel. Contact them today to have a look through their huge selection of styles, layouts and appliances.

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London’s pest control woes: why prevention is better than cure

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:06:40 +0100

Some pest problems are seasonal. Clothes moths tend to do their damage in the spring, when their larvae hatch out in search of food. Rats and mice tend to enter houses for warmth in early winter. In some cases, however, unusual weather can cause problems at unexpected times. A particularly wet summer can bring rats into contact with people in big cities as water levels rise and the rats seek higher ground. If the sewers of London are flooded, the rats are forced to the surface.

Unfortunately, infestations of any pest can be difficult to predict. It’s fairly certain the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs didn’t see it coming when their London headquarters were invaded by clothes moths, despite being the department in charge of pest control. The building had to be fumigated, and although no information on the cost has been released, it is likely it ran into thousands of pounds.

It’s not just the cost of fumigation that makes clothes moths expensive, either. As the name implies, they eat clothes and their fondness for natural fibres means they prefer expensive materials to cheaper ones. Cashmere, silk and wool are some of their favourites, and it is not uncommon for an entire house to be infested. Replacing damaged woollen carpets, wedding dresses and designer labels doesn’t come cheap.

Other pests can be costly, too. Pigeons are a nuisance as their droppings are damaging to stonework and statues. They also make emergency exits slippery and can cause allergic reactions and disease. It is estimated that it costs around £15 million a year to clean up the mess.

Rats and mice can be expensive due to their propensity to chew on furniture, skirting boards and cables. This is a particular problem if electrical wiring is gnawed through, as the house will need to be rewired or may even burn down. They can also chew through lead pipes, causing water damage. Peter Priestley, president of the British Pest Control Association, said that he once saw the whole first floor of a house collapse due to rats eating through the beams. As rodents are sometimes considered an ‘act of God’ by insurance companies (presumably like a biblical plague), not all damage is covered.

Making a claim on your insurance probably isn’t the best solution, in any case. Prevention is better than cure and is relatively simple with some pests. Clothes moths like natural fibres that have been left in dark places for long periods of time. Periodically taking clothes out of the back of the cupboard, making sure they are put away clean and using cedar moth balls and sprigs of lavender can make all the difference. With rodents, the key is to make sure that food spillages are cleared up and block any entry points into the house. Pigeons are a little more difficult to deter, and in this case it is best to contact a professional pest management company. Nets and spikes can be installed to stop the birds settling on a particular property.

If you already have a pest problem, though, the best thing you can do is act – sooner rather than later. Contacting a pest control service is the best thing you can do, as without professional advice, pests can come back.

Terminex are a reputable pest control company, known for their high levels of customer service and knowledgeable staff. They even contract an entomologist from Imperial College London to help combat clothes moths. Contact them today for advice how to protect your home from pests or to remove an infestation.
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Fashion tips for pregnancy and beyond: How to stay stylish in maternity and nursing wear!

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:50:27 +0100

Pregnancy is a great excuse to treat yourself to some new clothes! With such a wide range of maternity and nursing wear available, there’s no better time to be pregnant.

Maternity and Nursing Tops and Dresses

Say hello to your new best friends: the wrap, smock, tunic and empire line! These are great because they highlight the thinnest part of your body above your bump, proudly showing off your new impressive curves. Look out for solid block colours; black and white staple tops and flirty purples and pinks for something more eye-catching. A bold print or brightly coloured wrap dress will keep you cool in summer and warm in cooler months when worn with leggings.

You don’t have to spend a fortune if you’re saving for the birth of your little one. Many maternity tops and dresses can be worn throughout the nursing period too, with cleverly concealed openings for discrete feeding. Maternity feeding tops, also available in plus sizes, are an ideal money-saving option as they can be worn throughout both the pregnancy and nursing stages.

Invest in natural fabrics like cotton and bamboo as they will keep you cool and comfortable, and mixes containing a small percentage of elastane (sometimes called spandex) will stretch to fit your changing bump. Comfort and support doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style!

Luxury brands like Mothers en Vogue, Annee Matthew and Paola Maria use high quality organic materials to create exceptional nursing top and dress designs. You’ll have a choice of concealed openings such as empire line, side seam, neckline or drop cup access, each specially designed to offer convenient feeding while maintaining privacy. Quality is important when buying maternity tops – a well-made maternity/nursing combination top can be worn for years!

Trousers and Skirts

As you reach the later stages of pregnancy, you’ll probably find your trousers or skirts no longer fit. Invest in a belly band to cover up open zips and buttons and provide extra support, before you move on to elasticated maternity trousers and skirts.

Nursing Accessories

It’s impossible to have too many handbags! Complement your new maternity and nursing wear with a new design, big enough to carry all your baby’s belongings.
Koochu’s luxury changing bags look like regular designer handbags, and can be used as one, but they also come with clever concealed practical features like a removable and washable lining, water resistant double sided changing mat, thermo-insulated side pockets for baby bottles and even a nappy compartment. When style is this practical, you have no excuse to carry a bright plastic Winnie the Pooh changing bag!

For extra coverage when feeding your baby, a wide scarf can be a great addition to your nursing wear. Other than this, accessorize as normal. A belt may be uncomfortable, but how about treating yourself to a chunky necklace to compliment your new maternity feeding top?

Buying maternity and nursing wear isn’t rocket science. Stay comfortable with well-designed pieces, and, most importantly, have fun with your style!

A Beautiful Mummy is an online boutique specialising in maternity and nursing wear. Visit their website to browse tops, dresses, skirts and trousers and accessories from the world’s leading designers.
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Give your Kent-based business a boost with branding, marketing and graphic design

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 07:28:11 +0100

With the double dip recession seemingly never ending, times are tough for UK business owners. While the large corporations and chains appear untouched, it is the small and medium businesses which suffer. Kent’s once bustling town centres have been replaced with rows of empty shops and closed down pubs and restaurants.

But don’t despair. Whatever your business sector and whether you offer a service or a product, there is help available. If you believe your business offers strong, honest products or services which people still need, your prospects can be vastly improved with minimal investment.

Branding, marketing, graphic design, website design and advertising offer business owners the potential for a generous return on investment. A Kent-based graphic design agency will have local knowledge and the time and care for a personal service, with creations perfectly tailored to your requirements. They understand the needs of an SME like yours – they are one, after all.

As people say, you have to spend money to make money. It is common knowledge that exposure and branding can make or break a business. After all, if nobody knows about a business how will it ever get custom? Similarly, poorly designed websites, leaflets, brochures, fliers, exhibition stands and presentations will be at worst ignored, at best, forgotten.

You have a variety of options to consider to improve business:

Branding and Marketing

All successful businesses are intelligently branded. With professional guidance your brand image and strategy can be transformed or updated, giving your business an unforgettable personality which is consistent across all your communications.
Marketing experts can think up creative and attention-grabbing ways to get your message across in a way which suits your business.

Advertisements, Websites and Graphic Design

A new or improved website has infinite potential to increase sales, and a cheap logo redesign can make people notice your business again. HTML emails and well-designed printed newsletters ensure your business stays in the forefront of customer’s minds, and a professionally designed PowerPoint or Flash presentation will boost confidence and impress at your next sales pitch or conference. Why not make finding, contacting or buying from your business convenient with an app, and watch sales increase? Or create an annual report or brochure which really says something about you?

There are plenty of graphic design agencies in Kent which offer website design, online marketing and on and offline advertisement design, in addition to traditional graphic design services. The wider the range of services on offer, the better understanding they will have at promoting your business across the board.

In addition to this, a Kent-based agency which offers a variety of services can also be used for future promotions materials and marketing literature. This can help keep your brand consistent across all media.

Don’t accept the current economic climate and poor sales. Be proactive and hire a local graphic design agency in Kent to get your business noticed!

Open Water are a branding, marketing and graphic design agency based in Kent. Their team offer world-class designing services, tailored to your business to ensure your message gets heard.
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Get more service with your boardroom table and chairs

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:46:17 +0100

A lot of people get their office furniture from an internet supplier who ship you a box and leave it on your doorstep. That’s it. While this may seem the most cost-effective solution, it may actually be a false economy. People often don’t realise that there are alternatives available; companies who offer a range of services for similarly competitive prices.

Office design companies will often provide complimentary 2D or 3D plans to help you use the space effectively. With years of design experience, they can help tackle the problems you hadn’t even thought about – how people move through the space, how to fit in the maximum amount of storage or how the overall design will reflect the image of your company. Many business owners try to design the layout of their furniture themselves, but this can be time consuming and difficult. Whereas businesses replace their furniture once in five or ten years, office design companies help create attractive and functional layouts every day.

The matter of time is an important one. If you order from a generic supplier, you will have to plan the office layout, put the furniture together when it arrives and get everything in its rightful place. Then you are left with lots of packaging, as well as your old furniture. It is not until you have visited the dump several times that you have finished the job. The question is, how much do you value your time? All this could take hours – hours which could have been used more effectively elsewhere. Office design specialists will deliver and install furniture, as well as removing the packaging and if required, disposing of your old furniture in an environmentally responsible manner.

Take boardroom furniture, for example. A boardroom, in essence, is a direct representation of the company in microcosm. It is the nerve-centre where decisions are made and may double as a room to meet with important clients or stage conferences. Although designing a new boardroom may sound simple, it is not just a matter of buying a table and some chairs; there are many factors to be taken into account. The size and type of furniture will partly be dictated by the amount of space, but at the same time it is important to know how many people will be present and what style is appropriate. Boardroom chairs need to be comfortable and spacious, but this means they will take up more space. The table needs to allow everyone to sit round comfortably, while being small enough to enable discussion and collaboration. Drawings are essential to make sure everything will fit and function as it should.

Office design specialists will often have better quality furniture than is available elsewhere. While large retailers supply cheap, mass-produced products, specialist companies are able to offer Italian leather, real-wood veneers and glass. They can customise furniture to create a truly bespoke design, and have pieces that can make an impact with clients and employees alike. While this may sound expensive, the prices are often comparable to those offered elsewhere and represent far better value for money.

Perfect Synergi are office design specialists, offering a huge range of executive, boardroom and office furniture. They also provide 2D and 3D design services and will install your furniture before removing the packaging. With over 30 years’ experience, they are the perfect choice for your new office.

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Spruce Up Your Fish Tank with a 3D Aquarium Background

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 14:39:13 +0100

It can be a lonely life being a fish. Your career options are limited, the opportunities for travel slim and the only lasting relationships you can hope for are distinctly arranged. On the other hand, you have a lovely tank, food delivered daily and a nice view. Alright, so the exact dimensions of your tank may vary according to budget, but we’d all have a bigger flat if we could afford it. And how much space do you really need? Once you’ve found somewhere to put the castle and the gravel, you only need some communal living space to swim around in. What’s really important is what you do with the space you have. The usual Vettriano prints are ill suited to an aquatic environment and water features are largely redundant. You could try a lava lamp, but I wouldn’t advise it if you want to keep your gills intact. No, what you really need is a 3D aquarium background.

We’re all leading busy cosmopolitan lives, but it’s still good to have a little reminder of the old country on your wall. A little bit of the ol’ big blue that ma and pa used to talk about. 3D aquarium backgrounds are available which mimic the coral reefs of the Galapagos Islands. So what if you’re a goldfish with no heritage more dignified than the display tanks of Westfield? There’re any number of New Yorkers who claim Scottish blood on far more tenuous grounds. Even if some snooty swordtails should question the efficacy of such a display, you can simply point out the additional benefits beyond the simply baronial. For a start, they’re incredibly attractive things. The urban minimalism of your flatmate’s bedsit might not speak of your own aquatic roots, but a finely sculpted, fully three-dimensional backdrop can lend your little corner of it a certain underwater charm. And it’ll probably create a soothing atmosphere for him, as well. That’s why he has you after all; a calming fin at the end of a wearying day. It’s just the way you swim, you laidback beast you.

There are also the remarkable health benefits. We’re always being told that we need to keep our scales clean, but how many of us have the time? It’s a sedentary life in a tank and there just aren’t the rocks you need to exfoliate. The protruding surfaces offer just the sort of abrasive surface to rub against; shed those scales and keep that streamline form. The textured backdrop is also a great environment for fostering friendly bacteria. Beats tipping a tub of Yakult into your tank every day.

There really is no better way to stay stylish, happy and healthy in your little fishy world than to invest in a 3D background for your aquarium. You’ll love it, your tankmates will love it and your owner will love it, too. Which is just as well – they’re paying after all.

If you or your owner would like to invest in a 3D aquarium background and make your life that little bit brighter, do pay a visit to Animal Source. They stock a host of backdrops for a range of fish tanks, allow available to browse and buy on their fantastic website. Take a look today.

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Your Next Small Business Venture Should be in Manufacturing – Whatever Your Background

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 20:39:05 +0100

With profitable units beginning at £100,000, owning your own manufacturing business may well be within your grasp. Don’t be put off by a lack of background in manufacturing. You can use your expertise to your advantage, whether it is in marketing, technology, administration, exporting, accountancy or design.

Contrary to common belief, manufacturing is not limited to large businesses. Small manufacturing businesses can offer the specialised and personalised products that large corporations do not have time for. Many buyers source their items from small and medium manufacturers who support their needs by offering a personal service.
Whereas trends come and go, and other industries prosper and demise, people and businesses will always need things. This is why the production industry is still thriving, and why you will find a wide choice of manufacturing businesses for sale by specialist business brokers.

Whether you manufacture products for direct sale to the general public (clothing, shoes, moulded items, furniture, doors and windows, food or beverages) or items for use by industry (tools, architectural metalwork, joinery, machines, technical instruments, machinery), owning a manufacturing unit means you can choose a niche which suits you. If you don’t have experience in manufacturing, you are able to choose a unit which suits your professional background, gifts and passions. You will also find a wealth of information and support sources available to help you create and run your dream business.

Choose whether you want a manufacturing business which is flexible (computer controlled to produce items to individual specifications or to react to market or customer needs), continuous (an assembly line of non customisable products), intermittent (different product specifications, produced to fluctuating volumes based on demand) or custom (items produced to the individual requirements of each customer). You won’t find any industrial businesses for sale more suited to your needs than manufacturing.

Manufacturers are sometimes offered attractive tax breaks and other attractive benefits, thanks to their benefit to the UK’s economy and the jobs they provide. You can enjoy these advantages of owning a manufacturing business, in addition to a profitable turnover in a stable industry.

Specialist sales websites enable you to browse manufacturing businesses for sale across the UK in one place. Within seconds you can begin comparing specifications and prices, using honest descriptions of businesses, their growth potential, leases, and the owners’ reason for sale to make an informed decision. You will often find that businesses are sold with their business model, tools, machinery, clients and reputation, allowing you to move right in and make your mark in the industry.
So don’t delay your success in the manufacturing sector. Shop around through business brokers to find an opportunity for you.

Premier Business Sales lists hundreds of businesses and franchise opportunities, including a wide range of manufacturing businesses. Begin making profit on your new manufacturing venture with Premier Business Sales.

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Commercial Energy Solutions to Meet Your Carbon Reduction Commitment

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:53:29 +0100

In a world where customers are increasingly eco-conscious and energy bills and the carbon reduction commitment energy efficiency scheme are hitting businesses hard, commercial energy solutions are key.

Of course, businesses rely on electricity and reducing your electricity usage should be done with minimal impact on the working environment. There are a number of energy monitoring strategies available which allow you to do just this. If you’re looking for an effective way to reduce your energy bills and meet your carbon reduction commitments (the mandatory cap and trade scheme in the UK), you might want to consider a few of the following:

Voltage Optimisation

Estimates suggest 90% of organisations in the UK can save money through voltage optimisation. This works because the National Grid supplies power at a rate of 242 volts, whereas most electric equipment has an optimum voltage of 220 volts. A voltage optimisation unit acts as a transformer between the electrical supply and the power outage, providing electrical devices with a lower voltage, closer to that which they actually need. On installing a unit, you will find all the electrical equipment in your business - from lights to computers, heaters to heavy duty machinery - works as effectively as before – or even better.

Without voltage optimisation, excess voltage is dissipated by your equipment as heat and vibrations, reducing its lifespan. Small unnoticeable drops and fluctuations in electricity supply (sometimes as high as 253 volts) are also common and are detrimental to your equipment. Installing a voltage optimisation unit will not only prevent wasted energy and save money, but also prolong the life of your equipment.

Intelligent units such as Voltis come with meters for energy monitoring, allowing you to see how much energy and money your business has saved. Some businesses have reported a 20% saving on electrical costs from Voltis units: that’s a typical investment payback of just 2 to 3 years. As well as saving money, you could see a carbon emission reduction of 20%, helping you meet your carbon reduction commitment without sacrificing any use of your electrical equipment.

Sub Metering

Sub metering allows portable or fixed energy monitoring. Find out where and when you are using the most electricity, reported on simple graphs and images on your PC. Sub metering is an accurate and hassle-free form of energy management, offering you the insight you need to make changes to energy usage in your business.

Energy Management Systems

Full energy management systems offer businesses a high level of monitoring and control over their electricity supply. Installation is a large project best suited to refurbishments and new building developments due to the disruption caused. If you can install a full energy management system, however, the benefits are immense.

Systems such as Ipsis involve a unit being installed on each power source. An intelligent reporting suite gives users an energy profile and control over each power source, and they can be controlled individually, by room, by building or by equipment type (eg. heating, cooling or vending). Each source can be monitored and switched off when not in use. Ipsis even allows computers to be shut down ‘safely’ so no work is lost. If you are prepared to make changes to meet your carbon reduction commitment, energy management systems are extremely effective and offer complete control.

Marshall-Tufflex Energy Management offer a range of products to help organisations cut energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, save energy costs and assist with meeting CRC targets. We constantly pioneer new and effective solutions and develop products which help monitor, regulate and cut energy use delivering impressive results.

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How to Customise Your Scooter with Parts from Eagle Sport

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:20:24 +0100

Freestyle riders understand that their scooter’s performance is everything. Almost every part of a scooter can be customised for the ultimate performance; there is a reason pro riders don’t use complete scooters. To develop and improve your own personal riding style and trick level (and be in with a chance of being sponsored), you’ll need to create a personalised scooter.

Push your skills with a scooter of the perfect weight, grip, height and strength for what you need. Parts will improve your riding whether you specialise in street, skatepark or flatland riding, and whatever speed and tricks are your strengths. Think about your wheels: you need to balance grip and speed for where you’re riding (more grip if street riding is your style), a light bar which is the perfect height, a deck with balance and brakes which you can put confidence in.

Thanks to online retailers based in the UK, you don’t have to import parts from America to get the best wheels, bars, decks or breaks. Top brands like Eagle Sport, Proto, Razor, Blunt, Pheonix, Addict and District can be ordered online from UK-based freestyle scooter experts. This means you’ll receive your gear – and be able to get riding with your improved scooter – fast. Some even cut bars to size to make sure they’re perfect.

The website you order your scooter parts from should be active on the scene. The only way you know you’re ordering the best parts is to make sure they’re chosen by the experts. Don’t even think of buying your scooter parts from an extreme sports site – BMX and skateboard experts know nothing about kick scooters and are unlikely to have the latest parts.

Order from scooter specialists and don’t be afraid to ask for advice if you feel lost in the world of Proto, Addict, Pheonix and Eagle Sport. Expert riders want to share their knowledge and experience and make you the best rider you can be. An easy way to see if your scooter part provider knows the sport is by checking if they have a team competing in contests. If they do, you know you’re in the hands of the pros.

Rigg My Roll are online scooter specialists. Browse their store to see a range of scooters, parts and accessories, including wheels, decks, forks and helmets from brands like Eagle Sport, Phoenix, Razor, Proto and Addict. See their collection of high performance wheels here.