Tires connect your electric scooter with the ground. They are an important part of safety, durability, and ride quality. This guide covers the ins and outs of electric scooter tires. You’ll learn the advantages and disadvantages of pneumatic (air-filled) and solid (airless) tires.
| Type | Flat Resistance | Ride Quality | Traction |
| Pneumatic, Inner tube | Poor | Excellent | Excellent |
| Pneumatic, Tubeless | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Solid, Honeycomb / Air Pocket | Excellent | Good | Poor |
| Solid, Filled | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
There are two commonly used types of electric scooter tires:
Overall, pneumatic tires are better performing than solid tires. Pneumatic or air-filled tires are more efficient, and provide better cushioning and traction. For this reason, we always recommend them. Solid tires are zero maintenance because they don’t get flats but won’t necessarily last longer than pneumatic ones.
Both types of tires will wear out over time.
Pneumatic tires, also called air-filled tires, are made of supple rubber and use air pressure to maintain their structure. They have a valve stem that protrudes either from the side or into the center of the wheel, which you use to fill or empty air from the tire and also check the air pressure. Most tires that you see on other vehicles — cars, bicycles, motorcycles — are pneumatic. Pneumatic tires come in two flavors: tubeless and inner tube.
Tubeless tires are common on automobiles, consisting of only the tire that forms an air-tight seal around the tire rim.
The tire rim houses the valve stem. Tubeless tires tend to be more heavy duty, puncture resistant, and higher performance. For that reason, you’ll generally only find these more expensive tires on premium and performance scooters. However, if you do get a flat or need to change the tire, it can be a real pain. On some electric scooters you will actually have to take the whole wheel to a tire shop and have them use their tire removal machine to get it off.
Inner tube pneumatic tires are common on bicycles and electric scooters; they have a heavy outer tire “shell,” which has treads and makes contact with the road. Inside the outer tire is a separate inner tube that holds the air and has the valve stem. If the outer tire is punctured, only the inner tube needs to be patched or replaced.
Pneumatic tires have three major benefits compared to solid tires: lower rolling friction, better ride cushioning, and better traction.
Lower rolling coefficient of friction means that these tires lose less energy as they roll along the ground. You will get better mileage and higher top speed with pneumatic tires.
Better ride cushioning is afforded by the air pressure in the tire. Pneumatic tires are better able to absorb bumps in the road than solid ones. On some scooters, they are the only form of suspension.
Pneumatic tires are made of supple rubber and have a better static coefficient of friction, which means they are less likely to slip as they roll along the ground. They will allow you to stop more quickly without sliding. Additionally, they provide better traction even in wet conditions.
There are two disadvantages to pneumatic tires: susceptibility to flats and tire pressure maintenance. One of the most common complaints from scooter riders is the necessity to replace or refill pneumatic tires. With solid tires, you won’t get flats or have to monitor the tire pressure, but pneumatic tires (inner tube or tubeless) still perform better overall.
Pro Tip: Reduce your chances of getting a flat with a few simple tire tips. If you’re shopping for a pneumatic tire scooter, try to get one with split rims. Split rims are rims bolted together that can be separated, allowing for much easier tire changes.
Solid tires use a rubber or solid polyurethane foam filling material to provide structural integrity, rather than air pressure. They are completely immune to punctures and will never go flat like a pneumatic tire. This is their major (and only) benefit. In every other way, solid tires are inferior to pneumatic tires.
One thing to note is that solid tires can be much more difficult to change. For example, the Segway Ninebot ES2 electric scooters are notorious for having a solid front tire that is impossible to change, requiring the entire wheel (and motor) to be exchanged. Keep this in mind when exploring electric scooter options that have solid tires.
Solid tires are not necessarily more durable than pneumatic tires. They will never go flat from being punctured. However, they are often made of hard plastics that will wear down more quickly due to their higher rolling friction.
Solid tires have two basic forms: honeycomb and filled.
Some solid tires have a “honeycomb” or “air pocket” construction. Honeycomb tires are made from the same rubber as other solid tires and have an internal honeycomb or ribbed construction designed to provide structural integrity and keep the weight down. Because there are air pockets within the tire, they provide more cushion than their filled solid counterparts. With less rubber than filled rubber tires, honeycomb tends to be lighter weight but not as light as pneumatic tires. These are the least common type of tires among air-filled and solid types.
Filled tires contain a rubber, foam, or other solid yet flexible polymer filling.
Filled solid tires are heavier and stiffer in construction. These types of materials tend to be very durable, but can get damaged and wear down over time. Wear and tear ordinarily does not render filled tires inoperable, but happens more quickly than with pneumatic tires. Again, filled tires can be difficult to replace.
The main benefit of solid tires is that you will never have a flat or need to deal with air pressure. Any punctures to solid tires will not make them inoperable or less effective, as with pneumatic tires. In general, solid tires are less expensive than pneumatic tires not only in upkeep but in general cost.
There are a number of downsides to having solid tires on your electric scooter, including being heavier than air-filled tires, worse traction, and worse ride quality. Not only will solid tires affect the quality of your ride, some are almost impossible to replace. Also, solid tires will have worse traction than air-filled tires, particularly in wet conditions.
Along with tire type, the diameter, width, and tread pattern also affects its safety, traction, and rider comfort.
Larger diameter tires give a safer, more comfortable ride. As the tire diameter increases, it’s easier to roll over obstacles in the road. This means you will feel less of a jolt when you encounter bumps or potholes. You are also less likely to get the wheel caught in a pothole, which could throw you off the scooter, making it safer.
Generally, the wider the tire, the more stable (and, in turn, comfort) you will feel. Wider tires are less likely to get caught in cracks in the road, where you almost feel like you’re being guided down a track, and safer.
Some e-scooters have tires with knobby off-road tread while others have smooth tread suited for paved roads. Similarly to bicycle tires and those designed for urban roads vs.
rural terrain, you will find scooter tire treads also come in varieties.
Most commuter scooters will come with smooth on-road tires, whereas many premium and extreme performance scooters are available with on- or off-road tires.
In general, manufacturers design electric scooters with pneumatic tires but some use a mix of both air-filled and solid tires. In mixed configurations, the front tire is often air-filled while the rear tire is solid. Rear tires bear more of the rider’s weight and tend to be more susceptible to flats than the front tire. According to our own study, rear tires get flats about 10X more than front tires. By using this mixed configuration, one can gain some of the benefits of pneumatic tires while dramatically reducing your odds of getting a flat.
A majority of the scooters that we’ve reviewed with mixed tire types are in the $800 price range, with only a couple in the $300 range including the Swagtron Swagger 5.
Oftentimes, brands use solid tires on lower-priced scooters. About 40% of budget electric scooters (under $300) have solid tires, 47% come with air-filled tires, and 13% have a combination of solid and air-filled tires.
When looking at electric scooters across all price ranges, pneumatic tires are more common in general, and scooters in the premium and performance ($2500 to $4000) price range all have pneumatic tires (and disc brakes).
Pro Tip: Use the “Tires” column in our scooter comparison database to research scooters by tire type.
As mentioned, solid tires are much more difficult to replace than air-filled tires; however, they require no maintenance. With some configurations, you have to remove the tire from the scooter in order to replace it. For solid tires, this is common and can even require professional assistance. For pneumatic tires, the design can make replacing them simpler or more difficult.
For example, some electric scooters, especially those in the higher price ranges, come with split-rim tire designs.
With a split-rim tire, you can easily remove half of the tire to replace the inner tube without taking the tire off of the scooter.
Pro Tip: If the tires on your electric scooter need replacing, check the terms of your warranty as some distributors provide replacement of component parts.
Pneumatic (tube filled and tubeless) tires are the best tires for your electric scooter. Air-filled tires will give you a more comfortable ride and keep you glued to the ground better than solid tires.
When shopping for an electric scooter, be sure to take a look at the types of tires. Along with brakes and any suspension, your tires greatly affect your ride quality.
Check out our current ESG Editor’s pick of the best electric scooters on the market!
Yes, you can replace pneumatic tires, but depending on the style of tire and enclosure, it may be more or less difficult.
If the scooter has split rims, then the rim can be taken apart, allowing for easier tire change. If the scooter doesn’t have a split rim, then you will have to forcefully pry the tire off the rim and stretch it back on when replacing it.
For inner tube tires, you typically only need to replace the tube. However, if the tire itself is badly damaged, you will also need to replace that.
If you have a flat, we recommended trying tire sealant first before trying to replace either the inner tube or tire.
Yes, you can replace solid tires but it’s generally a difficult endeavor. On some budget electric scooters, the entire wheel (including the motor) must be replaced together. This is generally prohibitively expensive.
On more premium scooters, like the UScooters line, tires can be replaced, but with some difficulty.
Without major modifications of the scooter, you generally cannot convert a solid tire scooter into pneumatic.
Yes, and this seems to be most popular for the Xiaomi M365. Solid replacement tires are widely available on Amazon. However the procedure is quite difficult and involves using a long lever arm and requires A LOT of muscle.
Honeycomb or air-pocket tires tend to provide slightly better suspension than solid tires. However, this depends a lot on the brand.
The only necessary maintenance is checking the pressure and adding air to pneumatic tires. Eventually, all tires will need to be replaced after the tread wears down or if they become damaged.
Yes, electric scooter tires and inner tubes come in standard diameters and widths. So long as you find an appropriate-sized replacement, it should work.
Yes, most premium and extreme performance scooters have optional off-road tires. These tires have a more aggressive, deeper, and knobbier tread pattern that provides better traction off-road.
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If you live in a place where your Xiaomi electric scooter is likely to get punctures very often, you may want to upgrade the wheels to solid tires. This is especially the case for those who live in rural areas or do not have tarmacked driveways or roads. Upgrading to a solid tire will save you a lot of energy and expensive tubes too.
Pros:
They do not get punctures. This is pretty much the only real advantage of solid tires.
Cons:
Your new solid tire for your electric scooter may have more or less rolling reluctance which means that your scooter will use more energy and battery power. The energy spending or conservation will largely depend on how well you fix the tire, and whether you have the right one for the job.
Solid tires may also be a little difficult to mount on the rim of the wheel since they can be too tight or loose. This, however, can be solved by softening it before fitting (this will be explained further in the fitting instructions). The Xiaomi electric scooter tire size is 8.5 inches in diameter and 2 inches thick.
Additionally, Xiaomi M365 electric scooters do not have shock absorbers. With the lack of its pneumatic tires, this means that the scooter may experience a lot of vibrations during the ride. The movements may loosen bolts and nuts which may cause parts and cables to loosen and fall apart in the future so pay attention and maintain your Xiaomi M365 scooter.
Steps to follow:
This should manage the amount of friction that will be involved during the fitting.Make sure that you purchase your Xiaomi electric scooter parts from a trusted distributor.
This will minimize the chances of buying counterfeit or low-quality parts, spares, and tools.
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Wheels are an important part of an electric scooter. They determine the main technical characteristics of the device: the allowable user weight, terrain, maximum speed, etc. The diameter of the wheels is responsible for the cross-country ability and maneuverability of the vehicle, and their rigidity is responsible for traction with the road surface. Moreover, even such parts are not durable and need to be replaced or banal cleaning for better functioning.
Next, we will look at how to remove the wheels on an electric scooter and in what cases this procedure is necessary.
A regular or folding electric scooter requires regular diagnostics and troubleshooting. This applies not only to the controller, but also to other details. The procedure for changing wheels is really important. It is recommended that every owner of electric transport know about the sequence of actions in order to prevent adverse consequences.
Whether it's an 8", 12" or any other diameter wheel, the replacement instructions are the same, so you don't need to look for additional information.
The need to change the wheel occurs in two situations :
Wrong or defective wheels make the scooter uncomfortable to use. In addition, they often cause falls.
In most cases, users are unlucky with wide wheels, because such an electric scooter is more difficult to control.
The owner of the device has to determine the frequency of wheel replacement independently. But it is important to learn a few points:
The procedure for changing a wheel is not too complicated, but one tool is not enough. You will first need to prepare:
The list of tools is the same, regardless of the diameter of the wheels and other parameters.
If you need to remove two wheels, do not rush. Although there are no particular difficulties in this process, the front and rear elements have some differences in their designs, and therefore each of them requires an “individual approach”. Consider the sequence of actions in the case of removing the front and rear wheels.
The same instructions can be used for an electric scooter with cast wheels.
Removing the front wheel on an electric scooter is easy even for beginners. All the small elements that need to be removed are in prominent places, so you won’t need to look for them and perform complex manipulations.
The electric scooter must be switched off before removing the wheel.
Consider the removal process using the example of device Mijia Xiaomi M365 . The instructions here are:
You can remove the rear wheel on an electric scooter according to the instructions above. Both wheels of the vehicle are mounted, removed and installed in the same way. This is done using the same tools.
You don't need to be a high-class craftsman to remove the wheel motor. Here you will need to show your own accuracy and care. The user will not only have to follow the instructions in the process of unscrewing the rear wheel, but also monitor all the removed elements - nuts, screws, linings, etc. Having lost at least one detail, the device is not recommended to be used in the future without it.
In the process of removing the motor-wheel, be aware of the wire attached to it, which is undesirable to damage, so you need to do it carefully.
No tools are required to remove the tire. In this case, the user will only need their own hands and patience.
You can remove the tire from the electric scooter as follows:
It is possible to remove the tube from the electric scooter only after the wheels have been removed from the vehicle structure. This is necessary in cases of puncture or simple diagnosis.
The sequence of actions for is:
It is possible to replace the camera at home, but it is important to buy an element of the right size for installation in the wheel - for this it is recommended to take the damaged camera with you to the store and show it to the seller.
Repair work does not begin with the removal of the wheels, but with their disassembly. A correctly performed procedure will help to avoid the appearance of new breakdowns and quickly see the cause of an existing problem. At the same time, it will be easy for a user without skills to cope with both thick wheels and thin ones. The most important thing is to be careful, because small parts are easy to damage or lose.
It is possible to dismantle the front wheel on an electric scooter in just 5 minutes. This is done as follows:
You can disassemble the rear wheel of the electric scooter according to the same instructions as for the front element.
In such devices, they have the same size, and therefore it will not be difficult to cope with the task.
Some users mistakenly believe that only a real master can disassemble the motor wheel. In fact, you can do it yourself, following a strict sequence of actions. It does not matter where exactly the motor-wheel is located - in front or behind.
Disassembly procedure :
It is recommended to disassemble the motor-wheel when buying a used electric scooter to make sure that it works.
Wheel repair can be done by yourself using tools that are available in many homes. The size of the element does not matter in this case. Wheels of 10, 6 or 8 inches are quite realistic to bring into working condition at home.
When repairing the wheels of an electric scooter, experience in this area is desirable, but without it, it is also possible to achieve the desired result if you strictly follow the instructions in our article.
Malfunctions can occur both in an electric scooter with large inflatable wheels and in children's vehicles. Consider the most common problems:
Here it is enough to check the element for contamination or mechanical damage. Kerosene will help clean the bearing from dirt and moisture. If the part is deformed, it must be replaced. Sometimes it happens that the electric scooter does not turn on at all. Then we advise you to read an article on this topic.
Most manufacturers of electric scooters include compact pumps with their devices, with which it is possible to inflate the wheel at any time.
The recommended tire pressure for electric vehicles depends on the user's weight.
Values should be as follows :
These pressures make the wheels more resistant to punctures and other damage.
Avoiding punctures is very problematic, whether it is an adult electric scooter with large wheels or a children's model. But if you listen to the advice, it is still possible to prevent undesirable consequences. It is important to remember the following points:
The wheel with all its parts will cost about $30.
Before removing a tubeless wheel on a Xiaomi electric scooter or a device from another manufacturer, it will need to be deflated.
The wheel itself is removed in accordance with the instructions described above - you need to unscrew all the screws in sequence. And to remove the tire, you will need to insert a flat screwdriver between it and the rim, and then press with your fingers.
No, the wheels must be removed before disassembly, otherwise it will not be possible to remove all the parts.
Modern manufacturers equip the devices with solid and pneumatic wheels. The former are considered more durable and reliable, they are resistant to damage. The latter provide comfort during the trip, as the air in the tires reduces vibration.
This error indicates a problem with the motor wheel wiring.
Removing the wheel of an electric scooter is done by hand using simple tools.
This procedure is really important, because it is thanks to it that you can extend the life of the device and not worry about sudden breakdowns along the way.
In 2019, Xiaomi Corporation released a new generation of M365 Pro electric scooters. Ninebot was also involved in the development process of this scooter. It was this Chinese organization that in 2015 became the owner of the line of 2-wheeled personal transporters Segway PT and Segway miniPro. Given the experience of Ninebot specialists, the technical part of the development of the new scooter was entrusted to them.
Xiaomi and Ninebot already have a successful cooperation experience. In 2017, the jointly developed Xiaomi M365 scooter model won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award.
The new development from Xiaomi is aimed at an audience that follows trends, and also lives, works and studies in the city.
Xiaomi M365 Pro comes folded.
The package includes a steering wheel with a screen, 2 screws to fix it, as well as a charging adapter, instructions, a hex key and a tire inflation hose.
Thanks to the collaboration with Ninebot, Xiaomi was able to focus on the development of a completely new design. For the production of this model, only high-quality materials were used. The frame of this scooter deserves special attention. It is durable and wide, which contributes to maximum user comfort. In addition, the frame has a rubber anti-slip coating. The advantages of this scooter also include high wheels with a size of 8.5 inches.
Xiaomi M365 Pro is equipped with a white LED lamp for lighting the road in the late evening and at night, a rear red LED, a reliable disc brake and an efficient bell. All this contributes to the fact that this model gives the impression of a reliable vehicle.
Among other design features, it is worth noting the presence of a small footrest that ensures the stability of the scooter in an upright position.
Another important point is the built-in screen, which shows the speed, distance traveled and many other useful data.
In ECO mode, the user can drive about 45 km. But it is worth considering that the maximum speed in ECO mode is 15 km / h.
The advantage of this model is its ability to overcome even mountainous areas without problems. This ability is achieved by a 0.6 kW engine.
Xiaomi M365 Pro comes with a tire hose. For pumping wheels, you can use the simplest bicycle pump. It is worth noting that the wheels must be inflated to 4 bar. After the hose is unscrewed, the tire pressure will drop to the recommended 3.6 bar. Thanks to this, the wheels can withstand a load of up to 100 kg.
Due to the large diameter of the wheels, Xiaomi M365 Pro can be used not only in urban areas. This electric scooter is able to overcome both unpaved and rocky roads.
Users can control Xiaomi M365 Pro not only through the screen on the steering wheel, but also through a special application that can be installed on any smartphone.
The application has a lot of interesting additional information about the scooter. Users will be able to find out the battery capacity, the number of kilometers traveled and other parameters. For convenient use of the application, you can buy a special smartphone holder and monitor the technical condition of the scooter online.
A feature of this application is the "Anti-Theft" option. Using the application, the user can block the movement of the scooter by applying the engine brake. Bluetooth is used to activate this option.
The Xiaomi M365 Pro scooter is most often used for trips over short distances. At the same time, this model is able to provide transportation for long distances.
In the process of using Xiaomi M365 Pro, many users will surely appreciate the small size of this scooter when folded. Thanks to this feature, it can be easily transported even in public transport.
To start the scooter, you need to press the accelerator on the right handle.
To control this model, the thumb is usually used. You can also start the scooter by releasing the accelerator. But for this, you must first turn on the cruise control mode. This can be done in the app on your smartphone. The cruise control mode will work until the user accelerates or brakes. This option is especially relevant on long journeys.
The maximum safe speed for the scooter is 25 km/h. For use in urban environments, this speed is quite enough. The ride on this scooter is soft and stable. With proper weight distribution, the user will not feel fatigue and vibration.
Xiaomi M365 Pro is ready to travel 45 km without recharging. Thanks to this, this model of electric scooter is distinguished by the maximum possible autonomy. It should only be taken into account that autonomous operation is possible when using the ECO mode. If you move on a scooter at a speed of 25 km / h, the user will be able to overcome no more than 37 km. The autonomy of the scooter is also affected by the quality of tire inflation.
