Electric scooters are a convenient and fun way to get around town but it is important to take care of them and avoid issues such as flat tires. They are truly one of the most common and therefor, most annoying problem you will run into as an electric scooter owner. Luckily, we have a bit of experience dealing with flats and how to avoid them. We can't guarantee you'll never get another flat again but we can help prevent it from happening.
Tire Pressure
Under inflated tires are much easier to get punctured or pop. That is because their isn't as much space between the rim and the tire which can lead to the tire tube getting caught or pinched. You can easily avoid this problem by keeping an eye on your tire pressure. Utilize the air extension hose that comes with your GOTRAX electric scooter to get easier access to the air valve. We also recommend to use an air pump with a gauge so that you get a precise PSI when filling up your tire. Additionally, this helps avoid overfilling your tire causing unneeded stress to the tire tube.
Tire Slime
Perfect for smaller punctures and cuts in the tire tube that are 1/4" or smaller. You can easily add it via the air valve and luckily you don't have to use too much. Once you've added it to your tube the slime/sealant will spread across the tube until forced into the puncture by escaping air. Then, the slime will dry and prevent your tire from becoming flat. This is not a permanent fix so you will either have to reapply slime if you start to see the tire become flat again or change the tire tube.
Solid Tires
The last resort other than fully swapping out your tire and tire tube is to get a solid tire. Solid tires on one hand will ensure you won't have to deal with flats again. On the other hand, they provide less traction and suspension than an air filled tire provides. In the long term, this can lead to uncomfortable rides and affect your experience on an electric scooter. We only recommend this as a last resort or if you have dealt with multiple flats in quick succession. Use hot water and dish soap when attempting to put a solid tire on to make it easier to slide onto the rim.
Before You Ride
There are a multitude of things to check before you ride to properly take care of your electric scooter. You can also plan your ride to avoid tougher terrain, construction zones, and so on. This can also vary depending on the type of tires you have on your electric scooter. However, as long as you ride responsibly and avoid hazards you can avoid most of the flats you may have encountered on your rides.
