Electric Scooter Tires

Electric scooter solid tires are made of hard rubber or polymer, which is often heavy and stiff but highly durable. Some manufacturers refer to solid tires as zero maintenance, as you do not have to maintain the air pressure, but they can get torn, damaged or misshapen. Some solid e-scooter tires have a pocketed structure to provide some cushion. In general, solid tires have poorer ride quality than air-filled tires, as they cannot conform as nicely to the road’s imperfections. The overall pro for solid tires is that riders never have to deal with flat tires. The overall con for solid tires is that they have inferior ride quality.

Electric scooter air-filled tires have a durable rubber exterior, and air pressure is how they retain their structure and provide cushion against rough terrain. There are two types of air-filled tires: inner tube and tubeless. Inner tube tires have an inner tube (which is inflated with air) and outer tire. E-scooter tubeless tires seal air-tight directly to the tire rim, so no tube is needed. Both have a tire valve stem, which is used to re-inflate the inner tube or tire. Tubeless tires are common on cars, because they are puncture resistant and less likely to go flat. One of the most common types of flats is a pinch flat, where the inner tube gets pinched by the rim. Both perform very well, but tubeless tires are more cumbersome to change without special tools, sometimes equipment and technical experience. The overall pro for air-filled tires is that riders have better ride quality and traction. The overall con for air-filled tires is that they require maintenance to avoid flats.

Electric scooter tires last between 1,500 and 3,000 miles depending on how well they are maintained, how they wear, and how they’re ridden. The best way to know if you need to replace your tires is by inspecting the tread. If the tires are getting bald or the tread depth is too low, they will not provide traction and are more prone to damage. For example, if you frequently ride on roads where there are nails or other debris that can puncture your tires, you may need to deal with flat tires and changing tubes more than other riders. You can use a tire tread depth gauge tool to ensure your tires are good to go.

All tires have a tire code that’s customarily written on the sidewall. The wheel size or tire code refers to the wheel’s diameter and width, and is expressed in inches or millimeters (10” diameter x 3” width). The NHTSA assigns standard tire codes based on the tire and rim size. An 11” tire has a tire code of 90/65-6.5 where “90” refers to the width of the tire (3.5” / 90 mm), “6.5” refers to the rim diameter (6.5” / 165 mm), and 65 refers to the tire’s aspect ratio (which means the height of the tire is 65% the width of the tire). You can increase the size/diameter of the tires on your electric scooter as long as the inner diameter fits the rim provided, and the tire doesn’t rub against the fenders or frame.

Yes, some electric scooters have air-filed tires with an inner tube and an outer tire. Another style of air-filed tire is called tubeless, because it doesn't have a tube. Tubeless tires have an outer tire but no inner tube, which is why they're called tubeless.

Yes, some electric scooters have tubeless tires (pneumatic), which are known to be more durable and less prone to flats than inner tube tires. Some electric scooters have solid (airless) tires.