Just like bicycles, scooters and motorcycles, punctures are part of the life of an electric scooter. Even if most punctures are harmless, not being able to use your two-wheeler and having to push it to make repairs can be terribly frustrating.
By following Weebot's 5 tips, you will discover how to avoid punctures by electric scooter, you should greatly reduce the risk of having to go through the after-sales service box.
How to avoid punctures on an electric scooter in 5 tips
Why do tires puncture? This is the first question we must ask ourselves when analyzing the situation. Repairing without understanding where the puncture comes from simply delays the next one. Different types of punctures can occur but in many cases, be aware that the problem is often caused by the electric scooter user.
Generally, people think they have run over a nail but the truth is that most flat tires on scooters come from a bad driving habit or one lack of maintenance. Indeed, on tube tires in particular, they are victims of pinching and the pneumatic tube bursts inside.
The important thing with an electric scooter is to anticipate problems with a regular maintenance of it.
TIP 1: inflate your tire to the correct pressure
One of the first things to do when receiving your electric scooter is to check tire pressure before any use. Properly inflating your tire is not only synonymous with comfort, it is also very important to avoid die on an electric scooter.
Regularly check the pressure of your electric scooter tires is essential. At Weebot, we advise you to check it twice a month for greater security. Indeed, depending on temperature changes, the weight that the device undergoes and the lack of total waterproofing of the inner tube, there can often be slight air loss.
The bar is the unit of pressure indicated by tire manufacturers, the 0 of which corresponds to atmospheric pressure. Each scooter requires different pressure depending on the tire fitted. The pressure required for the proper functioning of a tire can vary depending on the size, both in height and width, and depending on the composition of the tire (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 remove 0.1 bar per ten kilos less. Conversely, for around ten additional kilos, you will have to add 0.1 bar this time.
An underinflated tire causes punctures on both sides. pinching of the inner tube, following the pressure suffered by an impact (when climbing a sidewalk or passing over an obstacle). But an overinflated tire can be even more dangerous for a vehicle. By overinflating your electric scooter tire, the grip surface of the tire on the road causes both a lack of grip but also a premature wear of the tread.
TIP 2: regularly check the condition of your tire
If you are used to driving on paths instead of asphalt, it may be useful to clean your tires of debris collected by the grooves. For example, by removing small stones stuck to the tires, this can help you avoid a puncture in the long term.
TIP 3: replace the inner tube with a more durable one
A problem well known to fans of Xiaomi M365 is the low quality of basic inner tubes. Many users of these Xiaomi have had repeated flat tires. Equipped with particularly fine air chambers, the tires M365 and M365 Pro are known to puncture very easily. Same with the valves, not very solid either.
Fortunately Xiaomi has revised its copy 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 tube to guarantee much better resistance to punctures. These thicker rubber tires are a major asset in combating punctures, all for a reasonable price.
TIP 4: Don’t ride anywhere
Common sense dictates that one must take care of one's mount by adopting a driving adapted to the use of the scooter. Some models have wide off-road tires like the brands Kaabo, Dualtron or Zero which are better suited to practice on uneven paths. A Xiaomi M365 model, for example, will be less suitable for driving on gravel-filled paths. His universe remains above all the smooth asphalt of our city centers.
Adapting your driving also means anticipating braking during your journey. Through repeated brutal braking, the tire will eventually wear out completely and therefore be more likely to puncture, as we pointed out in our tip no. 2.
TIP 5: anti-puncture gel
The anti-puncture gel is effective in prevention, but only works on inflatable tube tires. Easy to use, this liquid latex allows you to seal any gaps in the inner tube. This is simply inserted through the valve as if to inflate the tire but be careful not to overdo it otherwise it will be counterproductive.
As for the anti-puncture bombs found for cars, the use for electric scooters is absolutely not interesting. At best you can cover a few hundred meters. So there's no need to carry around with a puncture spray in your bag.
What are the different tires available on electric scooters?
If the vast majority of bicycles are equipped with inflatable inner tube tires, electric scooters have different types of tires. There are three models of tires for this type of device and each has advantages. Along with the battery, the wheel is an essential element of an electric scooter, being the only part in contact with the road. The tire is therefore used for driving comfort, but also for safety and performance.
Inflatable inner tube tire
Let's say it right away, it's the electric scooter tire most prone to punctures. It is the one which equips among others the famous Xiaomi M365. Like a bicycle wheel, it is made up of the tire on the outside and a rubber tube filled with air on the inside. The interest is multiple by bringing the comfort of an air cushion to absorb shocks and vibrations on the road, while being able to be changed easily.
If the rubber of the tire and the inner tube are too thin, the tube may be pierced by inserting a tip. But most punctures on inflatable tires do not come from this type of problem. The pinching of underinflated inner tubes caused by an impact on the tire causes most electric scooter punctures. Particularly on the front wheel which is more likely to suffer shocks.
This is why we advise Xiaomi M365 owners to change their tires for reinforced models, much more resistant.
Tubeless inflatable tire
Also inflatable, the tubeless tire is associated with cars. Also called a tubeless tire in French, it has the advantage of presenting less risk of punctures than its tube counterpart. While the benefit is obvious, fitting a tubeless tire is more complicated and requires a certain 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 do not require any special maintenance, other than checking that the grooves on the tire are not too damaged. Well preserved, these grooves allow good water evacuation and therefore good braking on a damp or wet road.
Solid rubber wheels also have the advantage of offering a better top speed. On the other hand, the user loses driving comfort with poorer handling and increased noise pollution.
Conclusion
It's all about choosing your electric scooter tires. There is no ideal solution and it's all about knowing how to make concessions. Some models as on 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 in order to benefit from the best of both worlds.
But as we have pointed out, punctures are not inevitable. By following our simple tips, the risk of puncturing an electric scooter will be greatly reduced.
FAQ:
- Are solid tires the ideal solution to avoid punctures?
A solid rubber tire cannot actually puncture. On the other hand, driving comfort is degraded when using solid tires. If your electric scooter is not designed for this, vibrations, not intended for basic use, generated by the road can be fatal for the internal electronics.
- What is the right pressure for Xiaomi M365 electric scooter tires?
The ideal tire pressure required for Xiaomi M365 (and M365 Pro) tires is between 2.4 bar and 2.7 bar 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 70 kg user.
