Replacing rubber on an electric scooter is perhaps the most common and intimidating maintenance procedure for beginners.A solid tire or a nipple camera requires a specific approach and physical strength to fit properly.Many Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter owners face difficulties when trying to pull new rubber onto the disc, risking damaging the camera or bend the rim.
In this article, we will take a look at the whole process, from tool preparation to final pumping, how to heat a tire with a hair dryer for better elasticity, what life hacks exist for using screeds, and why it is important to follow the sequence of actions. Proper installation will prolong the life of the wheel and ensure your safety on the road.
It is worth noting that the procedure may differ depending on the model of the scooter, whether it is a classic M365, Pro version or the newer 1S and Essential. However, the basic principles of working with rubber remain unchanged.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Before you start dismantling an old wheel and installing a new rubber, you need to assemble the right set of tools. Trying to do the work on the knee without special equipment often results in damage to the camera or even injuries to the hands. You will need reliable support and tools that allow you to apply significant force.
To successfully complete the task, you will need the following items:
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or a rattle with heads (usually 8, 10, 12 mm) to remove the wheel.
- 🔨 Two durable mounting blades (preferably metal but with neat edges) or specialized tire torts.
- 💨 Floor pump with pressure gauge or compressor capable of giving pressure to 3.5-4.5 atmosphere.
- 🧼 Soap solution in spray or container for lubricating the edges of the tire.
Pay special attention to the choice of mounting blades. Plastic tools, often complete with cheap sets, can break at the most inopportune moment, leaving you with a partially worn tire. Metal blades are more reliable, but require caution not to cut the camera. It is also strongly recommended to have a pelvis with water on hand to check the tightness of the assembled wheel.
⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp screwdrivers or knives as mounts.A sharp edge is guaranteed to cut through a new camera at the slightest slip of the tool.
Selection of rubber type: chamber, tubeless or Solid
The Xiaomi accessories market offers many options for replacing regular rubber. Standard equipment usually includes a pneumatic camera inside the tire, which ensures excellent coasting and cushioning. However, many users are looking for alternatives to avoid frequent punctures. Understanding the differences will help you choose the best option.
The main types of tires are divided into several categories by design and material:
- 🛡️ Chamber tires: classic version with a separate camera inside, provide better cushioning, but are prone to punctures.
- 🧱 Solid tires: solid tires made of pressed rubber, not afraid of nails, but rigid, heavy and can slip on wet roads.
- 💧 Tubeless: require a sealed rim and a special sealant liquid, harder to install on Xiaomi's regular drives, but more reliable for punctures.
If you choose a Solid tire, you can be prepared to put it on a disc that's much harder than a regular rubber tire, which is less elastic at room temperature, and often requires heating with a hair dryer, or even putting the tire in hot water, which will soften the material and allow it to be pulled onto the rim without breaking the structure.
The secret of installing Solid rubber
Dismantling the old wheel and disc preparation
The process begins with removing the wheel from the frame of the scooter. In most models of Xiaomi M365 and Pro, the rear wheel is nuts on both sides, and the front wheel can have an eccentric or bolt connection. Before removing, be sure to turn off the power of the scooter and, if you change the rear wheel, disconnect the motor-wheel connector.
Once the wheel is removed and placed on a flat surface, the old tire must be removed, so first, you must completely flush the air out of the chamber by twisting the nipple or clamping it, then, using the mounting blades, you must pull the edge of the tire and turn it outward to gain access to the camera. Carefully remove the camera, trying not to damage the nipple.
The critical step is to prepare the disc itself. The inside of the rim should be perfectly clean. Remove the remnants of old tape, glue, dirt or sharp metal burrs. Any grain of sand or sharp edge of the spoke hole can cause a new chamber to quickly fail. Wipe the rim with a degreaser and inspect it carefully for damage.
| Parameter | Front wheel. | Rear wheel (Motor) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre size | 8.5 x 2.0 | 8.5 x 2.0 |
| Pressure (PSI) | 45-50 PSI | 45-50 PSI |
| Type of attachment | Axis/Eccentric | Nuts/Axis |
| Difficulty replacing | Low. | High (because of weight and wires) |
⚠️ Warning: When working with the rear motor-wheel, monitor the integrity of the wire leaving the axle. its damage will lead to expensive electronics repair or replacement of the entire wheel.
Technology of installation of camera and tires
The most important thing is to put on a new camera and tire, so you can just pump the camera a little bit of air so it's round, but it doesn't swell completely, and it's going to prevent it from getting pinched and twisted when you're mounting it, and you can put the nipple in the rim hole and lock it in with a nut so it doesn't fall in.
Now it's the tire turn. One side of the tire is relatively easy to put on the disc. The difficulty comes with the other side. Here you'll need mounting blades. Get one edge of the tire over the side of the disc, then, while holding the tension, gently move the blade along the circle, pulling the rubber. Move gradually, Step-by-step.
☑️ Checklist of correct installation
When using mounting blades, be extremely careful. Don't try to hook a large section of the tire at once, this can cause the tire sidewall to rupture. If the rubber is very tight, use a soap solution. Wet the edges of the tire and the sides of the disk with soap and water. This will significantly reduce friction and allow the rubber to slide more easily on the metal.
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Use plastic screeds to fix. Put on the first part of the tire, then lock the opposite part with screeds to the spokes or disk to create tension for putting on the rest of the tire.
Nuances of installation of tubeless and Solid rubber
If you choose to switch to a tubeless system or install a Solid tire, the technology changes. A tubeless tire requires a perfectly smooth and sealed fit to the disk. Xiaomi regular drives often have micro holes or irregularities, so they are often smeared with a special disc sealant or use a sealant tape before installation.
Solid tires are very hard. You can't pull them cold without the risk of breaking the tool or damaging the disc. As mentioned earlier, heating is your main ally. There's also a disk freeze method (although it's less effective at expanding the rubber than heating the rubber itself). Some wizards use special glue lubricants that, once dry, lock the tire in place, preventing scrolling.
Once a tubeless tire is installed, you need to create a sharp pressure surge so that the sides of the tires "slam" and fall into the locks of the disc. This often involves a compressor with a large receiver or a special pump for tubeless tires.
⚠️ Warning: When installing Solid rubber on the front wheel, make sure the bearings can withstand the increased load and hardness of the ride.
Control and first launch
After the tire is fully worn, you need to perform a final check: pump the wheel to the working pressure (usually 45-50 PSI or 3.0-3.5 Bar). Carefully examine the circumference of the wheel: the tire should sit evenly, without skews and bumps. The line on the sidewall of the tire should run strictly parallel to the rim throughout the circle.
Be sure to check the tightness. If you have a chamber tire, you can load the assembled wheel into a container of water or splash soapy solution profusely on the joints and the nipple. The appearance of bubbles will indicate the location of the leak. For tubeless tires, this stage is critical — make sure that the air does not poison the perimeter of the disk.
Put the wheel back on the scooter. Tighten the nuts with effort but no fanaticism to keep the threads from breaking. Connect the motor connector (if you've changed the rear wheel) and turn on the scooter. Test at low speed, listening to outside sounds. Wheelbeat may indicate that the tire or camera is not installed correctly.
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The uniform distribution of the tire around the rim and the absence of distortions is the main sign of a high-quality installation that guarantees safe driving and no vibrations.