As a crucial link between the e-scooter and the ground, the quality of tires can make or break our riding experience. So, how can we choose the perfect tires to enhance our ride?
The common tires on the market are pneumatic tires and solid tires; pneumatic tires are mostly used for consumerg-grade electric scooters. This type of tires has good shock absorption performance and can effectively improve riding comfort; while solid tires are often used for shared electric scooters and some low-priced models with small wheel diameters, because they are very durable and not easy to damage, which can meet people's needs for "last mile" transportation.
This article will discuss in detail the characteristics of different types of pneumatic tires and solid tires to help you choose the tires that are suitable for your electric scooters.
What is the difference between solid tires and pneumatic tires?
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Solid tires are completely different. They are usually made of a mixture of rubber, plastic and other polymers and do not require any air filling. Therefore, they are thicker and more durable, and have high puncture resistance, which are suitable for driving in complex terrain that is apt to cause tires to burst. However, solid tires are less comfortable to ride than pneumatic tires.
- Pneumatic tires are tires filled with air, usually equipped with inner tubes or vacuum-sealed designs. They rely on air for cushioning, providing better comfort and handling, but require regular maintenance to ensure proper inflation. And there is a concern that the road will cause damage to the tire, thus we need to replace the tire before it can continue to be used.
What are tubeless tires? What's the difference of them compared with tubed tires?
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Tubeless tires: This type of tire is mounted directly to the rim without an inner tube. It maintains airtightness through a tight fit between the tire and the rim. If a puncture occurs, it can be repaired with a specialized tire sealant, sometimes even without removing the tire from the rim. Tubeless tires tend to have more complex designs and higher material cost, and therefore, they are more expensive.
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Tubed tires: This type of tire has an inner tube that is installed inside the tire and inflated to maintain the tire's shape and provide cushioning. This type of tire relies on the air tightness of the inner tube itself to maintain the tire's inflation pressure. If the tire gets flat, you simply need to remove the tire from the rim, fix the inner tube, and then put it back on. If the outer tire is not seriously damaged, you only need to replace the inner tube, which greatly reduces maintenance costs.
Ausom Leopard rides smoothly on tubed tires
What is the difference between a solid tire and a honeycomb solid tire?
Common solid tires are divided into full solid tires and honeycomb solid tires.
- Fully solid tires are entirely made of dense rubber or rubber-like materials, ensuring that they are completely puncture-proof and maintenance-free.
- Honeycomb solid tires have a unique honeycomb structure inside the tire. This design strikes a balance between comfort and durability, and the ride with the honeycomb tires is relatively smoother than that with full solid tires. Because the honeycomb structure will deform when encountering bumpy roads, it will reduce the vibration amplitude while maintaining puncture resistance. Honeycomb solid tires are lighter in weight and have better heat dissipation and drainage performance, but they have poor dust resistance and are prone to dust accumulation; and it maintenance is complicated and the load-bearing capacity is limited.
The size and pattern of tire
Overall, we recommend that riders choose a tire according to their needs and preference. Evaluate your daily routes, terrain conditions, and willingness to maintain to ensure you choose a tire that matches your riding style. Regardless of whatever tires you choose, it's important to regularly check tire pressure and tread wear to ensure optimal performance and safety.