Just like bikes, scooters, and motorcycles, flat tires are part of the life of an electric scooter. Even though most flats happen safely, not being able to use your two-wheeler and having to push it until you can make the repair can be terribly frustrating.
By following Weebot's 5 tips, you will discover how to avoid flats on electric scooters, and you should greatly reduce the risk of having to go through after-sales service.
How to avoid flats on electric scooters in 5 tips
Why do tires get flat? This is the first question to ask when analyzing the situation. Repairing without understanding where the flat comes from only delays the next one. Different types of flats can occur, but in many cases, know that the problem is very often caused by the electric scooter user.
Generally, people think they have ridden over a nail, but the truth is that most flat tires on scooters come from a bad riding habit or a lack of maintenance. Indeed, especially on tires with inner tubes, they suffer from pinching and the pneumatic casing bursts inside.
The important thing with an electric scooter is to anticipate problems through regular maintenance.
TIP 1: properly inflate your tire to the correct pressure
One of the first things to do upon receiving your electric scooter is to check the tire pressure before any use. Properly inflating your tire is not only a matter of comfort, it is also very important to avoid getting a flat tire on your electric scooter.
Regularly checking the pressure of your electric scooter tires is essential. At Weebot, we recommend checking it twice a month for added safety. Indeed, depending on temperature changes, the weight the device bears, and the lack of total airtightness of the inner tube, there can often be slight air losses.
The bar is the pressure unit indicated by tire manufacturers where 0 corresponds to atmospheric pressure. Each scooter requires different pressure depending on the tire mounted. The pressure needed for the proper functioning of a tire can vary depending on the size, both in height and width, and depending on the tire composition (inner tube or tubeless).
For example, it is agreed that a Xiaomi M365 electric scooter equipped with 8.5-inch tires requires 2.7 bars in the front wheel and 3 bars in the rear. Remember that depending on your weight, you will need to adjust the pressure. If you weigh less than 75 kg, you can reduce 0.1 bar for every ten kilos less. Conversely, for every ten kilos more, you will need to add 0.1 bar.
An underinflated tire causes punctures due to pinching of the inner tube, following the pressure from an impact (such as mounting a curb or passing over an obstacle). But an overinflated tire can be even more dangerous for a vehicle. Overinflating your electric scooter tire reduces the tire's contact surface on the road, causing both lack of grip and premature wear of the tread.
TIP 2: regularly check the condition of your tire
If you are used to riding on paths instead of asphalt, it can be useful to clean your tires of debris caught in the treads. For example, removing small gravel stuck to the tires can help you avoid a puncture in the long run.
TIP 3: replace the inner tube with a more durable one
A well-known problem among Xiaomi M365 enthusiasts is the poor quality of the standard inner tubes. Many users of these Xiaomi scooters have experienced repeated punctures. Equipped with particularly thin inner tubes, the tires of M365 and M365 Pro are known to puncture very easily. The valves are also not very sturdy.
Fortunately, Xiaomi has revised its design on its new Xiaomi electric scooters Essential - 1S - Pro 2 - with brand new reinforced tires.
Other scooters are in the same situation, and we can only advise you to invest in reinforced tires and inner tubes to ensure much better puncture resistance. These thicker rubber tires are a major asset in fighting punctures, all for a reasonable price.
TIP 4: do not ride just anywhere
Common sense dictates that you should take care of your ride by adopting a riding style suited to the use of the scooter. Some models feature wide off-road tires like those from the brands Kaabo, Dualtron, or Zero which are better suited for riding on rough paths. A Xiaomi M365 model, for example, is less appropriate for riding on gravel-filled paths. Its domain remains primarily the smooth asphalt of our city centers.
Adapting your driving also means anticipating braking on your route. With repeated harsh braking, the tire will eventually wear out completely and thus be more likely to puncture, as we pointed out in our tip no. 2.
TIP 5: puncture repair gel
Puncture repair gel is effective as a preventive, but only works on inflatable tires with inner tubes. Easy to use, this liquid latex seals any possible breaches in the inner tube. It is simply inserted through the valve as if inflating the tire, but be careful not to use too much, otherwise it can be counterproductive.
Regarding puncture repair sprays found for cars, their use for electric scooters is absolutely not worthwhile. At best, you might cover a few hundred meters. So there is no point in carrying a puncture repair spray in your bag.
What are the different tires available on electric scooters
While the vast majority of bicycles are equipped with inflatable tires with inner tubes, electric scooters have different types of tires. There are three tire models for this type of device, each with its advantages. Along with the battery, the wheel is an essential part of an electric scooter as it is the only piece in contact with the road. The tire therefore serves for riding comfort, but also for safety and performance.
Inflatable tire with inner tube
Let's say it right away, this is the electric scooter tire most prone to punctures. It is the one fitted, among others, on the famous Xiaomi M365. Like on a bicycle wheel, it consists of the tire on the outside and a rubber inner tube filled with air inside. The benefits are multiple, providing the comfort of an air cushion to absorb shocks and vibrations on the road, while being easily replaceable.
If the rubber of the tire and inner tube is too thin, the tube can be pierced by the insertion of a sharp object. But most punctures on inflatable tires do not come from this type of problem. Pinching of underinflated inner tubes caused by an impact on the tire causes most punctures on electric scooters. Especially on the front wheel, which is more likely to take impacts.
That is why we advise Xiaomi M365 owners to change their tires for reinforced models, which are much more durable.
Inflatable tubeless tire
Also inflatable, the tubeless tire is associated with cars. Also called in French pneu sans chambre, it has the advantage of presenting less risk of punctures than its inner tube counterpart. While the benefit is clear, mounting a tubeless tire is more complicated and requires some technique.
Solid tire or solid rubber wheel
Unlike other types, the solid tire is puncture-proof. Made entirely of more or less soft rubber, the solid tire does not have the cushioning of an air cushion, which unfortunately makes it less comfortable.
The E-Twow electric scooters are known to be equipped only with solid tires. These require no special maintenance, except to check that the grooves on the tire are not too worn. Well maintained, these grooves allow good water evacuation and therefore good braking on a wet or damp road.
Solid rubber wheels also have the advantage of offering a better top speed. However, the user loses riding comfort with poorer road handling and increased noise.
Conclusion
So it’s all a matter of choice for your electric scooter tires. There is no ideal solution, and the key is to know how to make compromises. Some models like the Zero 8 have chosen to equip their vehicle with an inflatable tire on the front wheel and a solid tire on the rear wheel to benefit from the best of both worlds.
But as we pointed out, punctures are not inevitable. By following our simple tips, the risk of getting a flat on an electric scooter will be greatly reduced.
FAQ:
- Are solid tires the ideal solution to avoid punctures?
A solid rubber tire indeed cannot get a flat. However, the riding comfort is degraded when using solid tires. If your electric scooter is not designed for it, the vibrations, unexpected in normal use, caused by the road can be fatal for the internal electronics.
- What is the correct pressure for Xiaomi M365 electric scooter tires?
The ideal pressure required for Xiaomi M365 (and M365 Pro) tires is between 2.4 bars and 2.7 bars for a person weighing up to 70 kg on the front wheel. Then 2.7 to 3.4 bars for the rear wheel, still for a user weighing 70 kg.
