Among the numerous questions frequently asked about electric scooters for adults, one that often stands out is whether they have inner tubes. Scooter tires are a pivotal component of any scooter, especially in the case of a fat tire electric scooter. They form the fundamental basis upon which the scooter operates. Understanding their mechanics is essential as it allows for better maintenance and care.
Electric fat tire scooters have been on the market for some time now. As their popularity grows, attention has shifted towards whether their tires possess inner tubes. For example, the Varla Eagle One, known for its pneumatic tires that assist its dual hydraulic brakes and trigger throttle, operates on air-dependent tires. This feature makes it an optimal choice for off-road terrains. The Varla Eagle One, with a top speed of 40 Mph, a 2 X 1000 W dual motor, and 10X3 wide tires, exemplifies a fat tire electric scooter.
The scooter’s inner tire essentially serves as the tire’s tube. Therefore, the answer to the question, “Do electric scooters have inner tubes?” is a resounding yes. The following article will shed light on what these inner tubes are and what are their pros and cons.
What Are Inner Tubes in Scooters?
Electric scooters for adults, particularly the fat tire electric scooters, have inner tubes. So how this works is that the scooter tire that you see on the outside is just a casing. This casing has patterns on it. These patterns help ensure a better grip on the road. So their mere utility is maintaining contact with the ground.
Insides this is the scooter’s inner tire. Electric fat scooters such as the Varla Eagle One motor scooter have pneumatic tires. These are scooter tires that base their functionality on air. These inner tubes are inflated. So when we say that a tire is punctured, it is this inner tube that has been pierced and deflated.
The grip and structural support of scooters are a combination of the outer shell and the inner tubes.
Types of Electric Scooters
Electric scooters for adults have been broadly classified into two categories. Fat tire electric scooters have two types of scooter tires: tubeless and ones with inner tubes.
Both of them have been discussed in detail below, along with their contrasting features.
A. Tubeless Electric Scooters
Tubeless electric scooters typically employ a tire sealant. The scooter’s tires and rims are flawlessly sealed to ensure there are no leaks. These tires lack inner tubes and are supported by the use of latex sealants. One of Varla’s models, the Eagle One Pro, uses tubeless tires.
Many choose these tires because they significantly reduce the risk of getting a flat tire. The sealant fills any opening before air can leak out, thereby allowing the tire to self-repair. These e scooter tires provide better traction at lower pressure. This is due to the fact that lower pressure increases the tire’s contact area with the ground. This feature is handy during the monsoon season when roads can be more slippery than anticipated.
In the event of a flat tire, where the air escapes before the sealant can seal the opening, tube plugs can be used to repair the puncture. Another advantage of these tires is that if you currently have tires with inner tubes, they can be converted to tubeless tires using a tubeless conversion kit. Conversely, if you prefer tires with tubes, this is also possible by simply washing out the sealant and inserting a tube.
However, tubeless tires do have their drawbacks. Their maintenance can be expensive. The cost of purchasing sealants, rims, and tires that are compatible with this type of scooter tire can add up.
Another downside is that installing these tires on electric scooters for adults can be laborious. Even after watching a multitude of YouTube tutorials, it often takes several attempts to install them correctly. It is crucial to ensure you have an airtight seal and that you do not use excessive tire sealant.
If you don’t get it right and hear the hissing sound of escaping air, you’ll have to start from the beginning. And, as my mother often says, the biggest issue is that the sealant can get everywhere.
B. Electric Scooters With Inner Tubes
Fat tire motorized scooter for adults that have inner tubes are the more classical ones. Having inner tubes is conventional and well-known. It is exactly how you would imagine it to be. The outer, most often black rubber casing has a tube on the inside. It is this tube that is filled with air and is seated underneath the outer covering. It is made out of rubber and hence is super flexible.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Inner Tubes
Having scooter inner tires with tubes is very pleasing to your pocket. These tubes are compatible with almost all rims and tires. Not only are the tubes super affordable, but all the accessory equipment is as well.
You can install the tube set easily. You will need some rounds of practice, but once you get the hang of it, it will be a matter of minutes to you. The majority of tires and rims are compatible with tubes, and dealing with a tube hole is not too much work. It just needs a bit of patching, and you will be good to go.
The biggest disadvantage with tubes is that you will have to face a lot of punctures. The smallest of nails and the glass shards are sufficient to poke a hole through the tube. Hence this is one of the things that you need to be on the lookout for. You will not be able to ride your bike at a low PSI. This disables better handling, and maneuvering becomes a tad difficult.
How Do I Know What Size Inner Tube I Need?
This is one of the easiest tasks. You simply need to look for the sidewall of your tire. As you trace your hand along the circular shape of the scooter tire, you will feel certain figures. They are usually the manufacturer’s name, along with details that include certain codes.
Though the numbers might seem daunting, all you need to do is check the internet for the inner tube size that corresponds to your code.
And ta-da, you have the inner tube size that you need.
How to Replace an Inner Tube in an Electric Scooter
When replacing the inner tube on your electric scooter for adults, keep an eye out for any foreign debris that might puncture the new tube. Always keep a note to submerge the tire and tube into hot water a few minutes before replacement. This allows them to become more pliable. Use proper tools and levers so that you can replace the inner tube effortlessly. Investing in a Stanley knife is always a great idea. The plan is simple: remove the casing from the rim, remove the old tube, install the old one, and pack it all up. There are plenty of tutorial videos online that will guide you in detail.
Conclusion:
So there you have it. Now you not only know if electric scooters have inner tubes but also how they function. By having this plethora of knowledge, you will now know how to take care of fat tire electric scooters like the Varla Eagle One. Both tubes and tubeless variants have their plus points and flaws. Compare them and see what will work best for you! Your scooter tires dictate your bike’s performance, so choose wisely and ride safe.
Trending Reads:
