In this blog, I have shared a lot about mobility scooters. However, among all those articles, I have very little information in detail regarding mobility scooter tires. So in this post, I will discuss everything you need to know about scooter tires.
There are two main types of tires, air (pneumatic) and solid, when it comes to mobility scooters. So let’s talk about them and what the differences are between these two tires.
The choice between solid and air tires depends on the user and the pattern of use. There are mobility scooter brands that only support one type of tire. However, most or more than average, there is an option on what tire to use.
There are many differences between air and solid tires, but it is easy to understand the best for each user.
Durability: Solid tires are more durable and longer-lasting compared to air tires. It is because there are very few things that can affect it. For example, solid tires are not punctured, so no more under or overinflated.
Type of terrain: Terrain is one of the most significant factors in choosing tires. If the user is left in an area with smooth surfaces, you can go for air tires. On the other hand, if the user lives in an area with many rough surfaces like gravel and public surfaces with broken glasses, the solid tire is a wise choice.
Weight of the scooter and the user: There are heavy mobility scooters, and if you include the weight of the user, it will have a significant impact on the tires, especially in their duration. Weight usually affects solid tires, incredibly high-quality air-type tires.
Price: When it comes to price, air tires are cheaper compared to solid tires. But of all the things to consider, being more affordable is not always the best option because repairing is more expensive than the cost of an air-type tire.
Quality of ride: When it comes to smoother rides, air tires are preferable compared to solid tires due to their natural shock absorption. It means solid tires for mobility scooters have lower natural shock absorption, so it is bumpier.
Air mobility scooter tires are suitable for smooths and tarmacked surfaces with minimal risk of tire damage. Due to the less tire friction of the air tires, the ride will be smooth on smooth and flat surfaces.
When it comes to solid tires, they are more suitable for recreational users. If the mobility scooter is frequently used in gravel or rural areas, then the risk of puncture will not be a problem. Solid tires also have more friction on the surface in rural areas so that you can expect a better grip.
Consequences of choosing the wrong tires
When you choose the wrong tire for your mobility scooter to use in the wrong place, you are just reducing the lifespan of the tires. That will affect the performance of the tire and your mobility scooter.
On the road and in some areas where many or often broken glasses or anything can damage the tires, it is not ideal for scooters with air-type tires; it will only be expensive and problematic if you continue to use this type of tire in these areas.
Air-filled or pneumatic tires
Let’s talk about air-type tires. This type of tire is popular because of its core design. There are two types of pneumatic tires, inner and tubeless tires.
Pneumatic tires are made of rubber. However, inside it has a tube filled up with air. Its structure is similar to bicycle or motorcycle tires. Of course, the only difference is the size.
This type of tire absorbs the shocks well and thus gives the rider comfort. In addition, pneumatic tires are better for off-road and rough surfaces that will make the ride smoother.
However, Since it is inflatable, it can explode, so be careful with thorns, glass, or nails because they can quickly flatten the tires. There are also heavy-duty inner tubes that are thorn resistant if these elements worry you.
Tubeless pneumatic tires
Tubeless pneumatic tires have strong, air-sealed, and reinforced tires to fill the fact they are tubeless. As a result, they are more expensive but durable due to being tear-resistant, wear-resistant on flat surfaces, and heavy-duty.
Inner tube pneumatic tires
Inner tube pneumatic tires consist of a tire and an inner tube to retain air. The air allows the wheel to roll without deforming the tire. Therefore, it is safer than tubeless tires. It is also easy to repair because you can fix such a tire using a simple bike tube repair kit. It is also much cheaper than tubeless.
Pneumatic tires pros and cons
Pros
One of the significant advantages of air-filled tires is as the name suggests, it is filled with air. As such, it has smooth maneuverability and comfort. In addition, while riding, the air inside is pushed outwards and resisting any outside form that will cause the tire to deform. Because of this, it has a cushioning effect when it hits small obstacles.
With pneumatic tires, you can have a better in-built control and suspension system. If the manufacturer’s indicated pressure is correct, it may be the best option for all tire types. The well-calibrated air-filled type has greater resistance, thus providing more grip and control.
These tires lose less energy as they are used on the ground. As a result, you can get better mileage and higher top speed with pneumatic tires.
These tires provide cushioning durability to the air pressure in the tire. As a result, they are better on-road bumps compared to solid tires.
Pneumatic tires are made of supple rubber and have a better static coefficient of friction, making them less likely to slip to the ground, especially when the surfaces are wet. These tires will allow you to stop more quickly without sliding. Traction is there even in wet conditions.
Cons
When it comes to the design of pneumatic tires, it lacks quality considering the price. It is more susceptible to getting punctured because it cannot prevent air spillage. Even high-quality and expensive inner tubes cannot provide long-lasting results in hot temperatures and rough terrain.
I mentioned calibration, and this is a con since this tire will require constant air calibration. If you do not apply the correct air pressure specification of the tube, it will be deformed and will lose its comfort and control.
Pneumatic tires are susceptible to flats and tire pressure maintenance. One of the common complaints with pneumatic tires is the necessity to replace or refill. With solid tires, you won’t get flats, and no need to monitor the pressure.
Now safety is the major con here. When you run at high speed, and suddenly the tire is flat, you can imagine the result. Something you don’t want to imagine that will happen to you when using a scooter. So to avoid this, regularly check on the tubes for good measure. If it needs to be replaced, don’t hesitate to do so.
Solid tires
This type of tire is the opposite of the pneumatic type tires. It is made of hard rubber with polyurethane foam.
Solid tires are made of rubber, and they are filled with solid rubber. Even though manufacturers say they make solid rubber with good absorbent qualities, this is not always true. These tires are pretty hard, so in that they are solid, nothing else absorbs hard surfaces but the rubber itself.
Depending on the softness or hardness of the rubber they are made of, solid rubber tires are not the same in absorption. So the softness of the rubber will give a slight, slight difference that you will feel during the ride.
Some manufacturers say that solid rubber tires are explosion-proof and wear-proof. Yes, it is explosion-free; however, it’s not true for wear-proof because rubber, like other materials, is worn out, mainly if you use the scooter every day.
Solid tires pros and cons
Pros
It is known to have a low risk of deformity. We can also add that this kind of tire is punctureless. So it will also require you for low maintenance or investment. And because solid tires are unbreakable, these tires are ideal on bumpy terrain and off-road.
Cons
Heavier than the pneumatic tires. Because it is solid, it lacks the comfort, maneuverability, and traction you would experience with pneumatic tires. It is also not that comfortable on wet surfaces; it will give you rough times on such surfaces.
User’s weight
When it comes to the overall weight, including the user’s weight, when the pressure is insufficient or incorrect, it will shorten the lifespan of the pneumatic tires. So the heavier the user, the more significant the impact on the tires and requires higher pressure. If so, the manufacturer does not forget to indicate it in the specifications in the user manual.
Remember, though, the greater the pressure and the weight, the higher the chances of degrading the pneumatic tires faster, not just the higher but even, the lower pressure. So prioritize optimal pressure at all times.
Signs of low-pressure tires
| If the pressure of the tires is too high due to over-inflating, you will feel the following: |
If the pressure is too low: |
|---|---|
| The ground will only touch the middle part of the tire, even including the user’s weight. |
Slower speeds |
| Bumpier during the ride | Increased drag |
| Possibility of deformation or puncture | |
| Get caught between the tire bead and rim, which will result in speedy flat/puncture. |
Size and surfaces
When it comes to tire type, the diameter, width, and tread pattern affect the rider’s safety, traction, and comfort.
The wider diameter tire provides a more comfortable ride as the tire diameter increases as it will be easier to roll over obstacles usually found on the road. However, it means you will feel a minor jolt on bumps or potholes. You can also avoid getting caught in the pothole, which could throw you off the scooter, thus safer ride.
So generally, the wider the tire, the more stable ride. In addition, wider tires are less likely to get stuck in cracks in the road.
Honeycomb or hybrid tires
Before ending this post, I think it is also essential to share the other type of tires that may not be popular in mobility scooters but are currently applicable to e-scooters. Of course, e-scooters are different from mobility scooters. Still, it is also possible that manufacturers of mobility scooters will adapt and choose to use the other type of tire that I’m about to share with you.
Such tires are hybrid or a combination of solid and pneumatic tires. They are made from rubber-like solid tires and have an internal honeycomb or ribbed construction designed to provide structural integrity and keep the weight down. In addition, these tires have air pockets inside the tire that provide more cushion than solid tires. Because honeycomb tires have less rubber than filled rubber tires, they are lighter but not as light as pneumatic tires.
For starters, honeycomb tires can’t be punctured. They are also less bumpy because they have air pockets. Compared to solid tires, its maneuverability and bump resistance is much improved. However, these tires are a new concept and more expensive. Once you buy and use honeycomb tires, you are stuck with them. Regarding resistance, it is slightly better than solid tires but less than pneumatic tires.
Conclusion
Most manufacturers provided pneumatic tires by default to their units, while some use a mix of air-filled and solid tires. Some units have air-filled front tires while the rear is solid. The rear part typically has a significant impact on the tire due to the weight of the user. Roughly, rear tires get flat more than front tires, and considering this information makes some manufacturers give mixed tires to some of their units.
When it comes to tire maintenance, solid tires are more difficult to replace than air-filled tires; however, they do not require maintenance. With some configurations, you need to remove the tire from the scooter for it to be replaced. For solid tires, it is common and requires professional assistance. When it comes to pneumatic tires, the design can make replacing simpler and, if not difficult.
Pneumatic tires are the best tires for most mobility scooters. It will give you a more comfortable ride and keep you stuck to the ground than solid tires. However, when it comes to brakes and any suspension, the quality of the ride will be affected depending on the types of tires you will use.
