Pneumatic vs Solid Tires - Which One is Better? - gotrax

It's a debate as old as electric scooters themselves. Pneumatic vs Solid Tires. They both have their pros and cons but at the end of the day it will come down to a few factors. The main one being rider's preference. Today, we will help you decide on the right kind of tire for your ride. 

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Traction

First up is arguably the most important thing you want when choosing tires for your electric scooter, traction. Traction is the grip your tire has on the road. Pneumatic tires flatten with the weight of the rider on the scooter thereby giving you a greater surface area and providing better traction overall.

Furthermore, you can adjust the amount of air in your tires depending on the type of terrain you plan to ride on. If you're planning on riding off-road at all, pneumatic tires have been tried and tested as the superior option. Solid tires don't offer enough traction and zero suspension especially on tough terrain. 

Winner: Pneumatic 

Comfort

Solid tires have minimal give when riding. However, while riding on a solid tire you will notice vibrating, unstable, and sometimes shaky rides. They transfer the impact from every bump, crack, and pothole into your legs and arms. If you're lucky you will have some sort of suspension system to assist with this but even with that, the suspension will then have to handle the brunt of the impact. 

Air-filled or pneumatic tires are able to provide some amount of suspension. In the aforementioned section, we also discussed how pneumatic tires offer some flexibility when riding. This alone gives them the advantage over solid tires. If you were to compare rides on a pneumatic and solid, on comfortability alone, pneumatic wins hands down. 

Winner: Pneumatic

Cost

Your wallet will definitely notice the difference here. You will often have to purchase a tire as well as a tire tube with pneumatic tires. On top of that, air-filled tires are susceptible to an electric scooter riders most common and most frustrating problem, flat tires. There are ways to avoid flat tires but eventually your pneumatic tires will run over something too sharp and you're electric scooter won't be able to be used until you fix the tire. 

Solid tires can ride over just about anything without becoming unusable. Most of the time, depending on how often you ride, solid tires will outlast their pneumatic counterparts. Just be sure to inspect your tires before you ride and after to avoid having problems during your ride. Whether you are riding on pneumatic or solid tires, just riding an electric scooter saves you money. Just be careful where you ride to avoid overly damaging your tires to ensure they last as long as possible. 

Winner: Solid

Durability

How long a tire lasts factors into where you are riding, how long, and how often. Solid tires will handle the brunt of every impact as we stated before. They have minimal to no give in their rubber. Honeycomb tires, solid tires with air holes placed around the tire, allow for some flexibility but it is still minimal when compared to pneumatic tires. What's more is the fact that a solid tire will never go flat. It will take some time for wear and tear to render a solid tire unusable. 

Winner: Solid

With competitive price and timely delivery, nedong sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

Conclusion

We seem to be at tie. That leaves it down to just one thing. You. Your personal preference and where you will be riding should determine the tires you use. However, we do have a slight preference for pneumatic tires, mainly due to the comfort and wider range of terrain you can ride on. Either way, whichever tire you end up choosing, please be sure to ride safely and always wear your helmet!

Ride Together. Ride GOTRAX!

Air Tyres Without Suspension vs Solid Tyres with Suspension

When it comes to choosing the right tires for your kick e-scooter, the decision between solid and rubber tires is crucial. Each type of tire has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and selecting the wrong type of tire can lead to safety issues or poor performance. In this blog post, we will compare kick e-scooter solid tires and rubber tires to help you make an informed decision.

Solid Tires

Solid tires are made of hard rubber or plastic and do not require air to maintain their shape. They are popular for their durability and low maintenance requirements, as they are less likely to puncture or go flat. Solid tires also tend to have a longer lifespan than rubber tires, making them a cost-effective option for those who use their e-scooters frequently.

However, solid tires have some disadvantages. Firstly, they provide less shock absorption than rubber tires, which can lead to a rougher ride and increased vibrations. Recent testing at the Bird R&D facility in Southern California showed that a kick e-scooter equipped with solid tires with shocks experienced an average of 43% more vertical acceleration than a pneumatic tire e-scooter on a variety of street surfaces, including gravel and cobblestone. Vertical acceleration refers to the speed at which the rider's body moves up and down in response to bumps and vibrations in the road. This can cause discomfort, fatigue, and even injury over time. Secondly, solid tires tend to be heavier than rubber tires, which can affect the handling and maneuverability of the e-scooter. Lastly, solid tires can be difficult to replace, as they require specialized tools and can be time-consuming to change.

Rubber Air Tires

Rubber Air tires, also known as pneumatic tires, are filled with air and are made of a softer material than solid tires. They offer better shock absorption and provide a smoother ride with reduced vibrations. Recent testing at the Bird R&D facility in Southern California showed that a kick e-scooter equipped with 6 ply tubeless pneumatic tires experienced on average 33% less vertical acceleration than a solid tire e-scooter with shocks on a variety of street surfaces, including gravel and cobblestone. Rubber tires are also lighter than solid tires, which makes them more maneuverable and easier to handle.

One of the biggest disadvantages of rubber tires is their puncture risk. They are more prone to punctures than solid tires and require regular maintenance to ensure that they remain properly inflated. Rubber tires also tend to wear out faster than solid tires and require more frequent replacement.

However, if you are subscribed to a service like Augment.eco, which covers the cost of puncture repairs, the advantage of solid tires over rubber tires is greatly reduced. Since puncture repair costs are not a factor, the benefits of rubber tires, such as smoother rides with reduced vibrations and less vertical acceleration, may outweigh the disadvantages.

Therefore, if you prioritize a comfortable and safe ride, rubber tires may be the better option, even if they require more frequent maintenance and replacement. On the other hand, if you value durability and low maintenance requirements, solid tires may still be a viable option for you, but it's important to keep in mind their higher vertical acceleration and rougher ride.

Ultimately, the choice between solid and rubber tires depends on your individual needs and preferences, as well as the availability of services like Augment.eco that may change the cost comparison between the two types of tires. No matter which type of tire you choose, it's important to ensure that they are properly inflated and maintained to ensure the safety and performance of your kick e-scooter.

Are you interested in learning more about 8.5 inch solid scooter tyres? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!