Installation of a cast tire on a Xiaomi electric scooter: a step-by-step guide

Replacing the standard inflatable camera with a cast tire (also known as a “crow’s foot” or solid tire) is one of the most popular solutions for owners of Xiaomi M365, Pro, Pro 2 and 1S. This radically solves the problem of permanent punctures that can take you by surprise at the most inopportune moment.

Many users mistakenly believe that installing solid rubber is a simple "removal-delivery" procedure. In practice, installing a cast tire carries the risk of damaging the rim or disc if you do not follow the temperature regime and sequence of actions. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps, from the selection of material to the final adjustment of the brake system.

Before you start, it's important to understand that you're changing the performance of the wheel, which is harder than usual, which can slightly reduce the comfort of riding on irregularities, but completely eliminates the risk of "catch a nail." Proper installation ensures that the wheel will rotate freely, without beatings and extraneous noises.

Selection of the right cast tire and preparation of the tool

The first step is to buy quality consumables. The market is full of supplies, but the quality of rubber from different manufacturers can be radically different. Cheap counterparts are often too rigid, which leads to slipping on wet asphalt, or, conversely, too soft, quickly abrasive.

The best choice is a two-layer design, where the inner layer is softer for cushioning and the outer layer is hard for wear resistance. When buying, be sure to check the marking: for the Xiaomi M365 and Pro models, you need a size of 8.5 inches, and for the Pro 2 and 1S versions, 10 inches. You can not confuse them, since the seat and geometry are different.

To replace successfully, you'll need not only a new tire, but also a set of tools. A standard kit from a scooter box will not be enough. You'll need mounting blades, lubrication, heat source and possibly screeds.

• 🛠️ Installation blades – metal or reinforced plastic, conventional screwdrivers can scratch the disc.
• 🧴 Lubricant - soap solution, silicone lubricant or a special means for mounting tires (do not use solidol or litol in any case, they destroy rubber).
• 🔥 Heat source - building hair dryer or boiling water container for heating rubber before installation.
• 🔧 Wrecks - for removing the wheel and subsequent adjustment of the brakes.

⚠️ Warning: Never use an open flame (gas burner) to heat the tire. Local overheating can warp the rubber structure or melt the plastic wheel disc, causing it to break down during operation.

Dismantling the old wheel and removing the worn tire

The replacement process begins with the wheel being removed, and depending on the model of the scooter (M365, Pro or 1S), the procedure may vary slightly, but the general principle is the same: first, you need to turn off the power of the scooter and turn it over.

Disconnect the motor wire from the controller. Be careful with the connector: it often has a latch that needs to be bent carefully. Then unscrew the bolts that attach the motor cap or the wheel axis directly. For the front wheel, the procedure is easier, because there are no electrical connections.

The removed wheel must be cleaned of dirt, followed by the most time-consuming step, the removal of the old tire, if you plan to throw away the old camera and tire, they can be cut with a mounting knife, but if you want to keep the disc in perfect condition, the old rubber must be carefully pulled together with mounting blades, gradually passing in a circle.

Pay special attention to the cleanliness of the rim. There should be no pieces of old rubber, dust or rust on the surface. Any grain of sand caught between the disc and the new cast tire can cause the wheel to beat when moving.

Technology of installation of cast tire on the disk

Installing a single tire requires a lot of physical effort, and the main task is to stretch the hard rubber enough to put it on a disc. There are two main methods: mechanical (with the help of blades) and thermal (with heating).

In the mechanical method, one side of the tire is put manually on the disc. Then, using the mounting blades, you gradually "fill" the second side of the tire inwards. The blades are inserted between the disc and the rubber, and the movement of the rubber lever is pulled on the rim. It is important not to make sharp jerks so as not to damage the disc.

The thermal method is considered more gentle for the disc, but it requires caution: the tire is lowered in boiling water for 5-10 minutes or carefully warmed with a construction hairdryer in a circle, the rubber becomes elastic and stretches easier, at which point it must be quickly put on the disk until it cools.

During installation, lubricate the tire and rim sides with a lot of soapy solution, which will reduce friction and allow the rubber to slide more easily. If you feel that the force is running out and the tire is not standing still, stop. Give the rubber a rest or heat it up.

Adjustment of the brake system after replacement

Once the new rubber is installed, the wheel diameter may change slightly, or the new tire will sit tighter/freer than the old one, which directly affects the brakes, and if you have a disc brake installed, you may need to adjust the caliper.

The drum brake, which sits on the front wheel of many Xiaomi models, often requires a cable lift. The new rubber can be slightly wider, and the brake pads will rub against the drum even when released. Adjustment is done by a nut at the exit of the cable from the brake lever or on the caliper itself.

Check the free stroke of the brake lever. It should be about 1-2 cm before the resistance starts. If the stroke is too large, the brake will be ineffective, if it is too small, the pads will constantly rub, heating the wheel and reducing the range.

Be sure to check the brakes at low speed.Sharp braking on new, not yet grated tires can lead to wheel locking and skidding, especially if the road surface is wet.

⚠️ Note: After installing the cast tire, the first 50-100 Avoid braking and aggressive driving for miles, and rubbers need time to sit down and take shape.

Hydraulics pumping (for models with hydraulic brakes)

If your scooter has a hydraulic braking system (such as Nutt or Xiaomi's regular hydraulics), it is important not to drive the caliper when changing the wheel. When placing the wheel back into the fork, make sure that the disc fits smoothly between the pads.

If you notice that after the wheel is installed, the brake becomes "sluggish" or the lever falls to the end, it may be air or pistons that have moved into the system, in which case a pumping procedure may be required, this will require a special pumping kit and brake fluid (usually DOT4 or mineral oil, depending on the model).

The pumping process involves opening the bypass valve and applying fluid under pressure, which pushes air bubbles out of the system. If you don't have experience with hydraulics, you should contact the service, because getting brake fluid on the plastic wheel disc or the tire itself can cause chemical destruction.

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If the hydraulic brake started creaking after replacing the wheel, try cleaning the disc and pads with alcohol and rubbing them with several sharp braking at a safe speed.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is to try to install a cast tire without heating or lubricating it on a cold one, which often causes the user to exert excessive force and break the plastic spokes of the disc or deform the metal rim. The disc may visually look whole, but microcracks will cause it to break down after a week of driving.

The second mistake is to use the wrong lubricant. As mentioned, oils (oil, solidol) are aggressive to the rubber composition. Over time, the tire begins to crumble or peel off the disc. Use only water and soap or specialized water-based lubricants.

The third mistake is to ignore balancing. Cast tires, especially cheap ones, can have a shifted center of gravity. If you feel the wheel beating at speeds above 20 km/h after installation, it may be worth balancing or checking if the rubber is flat.

• 🚫 Don't heat the disc, just heat the tire itself. Heating the aluminum disc can cause the bearings to weaken.
• 🚫 Do not use a knife to cut the tire if it does not fit. It is better to warm up again than violate the integrity of the material.
• 🚫 Don't ignore the wear and tear of brake pads. Replacing rubber is the perfect time to assess their condition and replace them if necessary.

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The main conclusion: Installation of cast tires is a trade-off between comfort/range and reliability/no punctures. In urban environments with poor asphalt, it is often the only rational solution.