Xiaomi M365 Scooter Tyre Replacement

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Xiaomi M365 Scooter Tyre Replacement

sonyxperiageek

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#290096 20-Oct-2021 23:11

Got a flattie on my Xiaomi scooter on the rear tyre and man... how freaking hard is it to replace a tyre?!! Took ages to get the tyre off of the rim, put the new tube and tyre back in place half way, but can't seem to pop the tyre back onto the rim. 3 spoons, 2 flatheads, 2 clamps, 1 crowbar and a lot of blood, sweat and tears just cannot for the life of me put it back on.

All the YouTube videos make it look so easy, but it really isn't. Even all the YouTube comments say the same thing. It's like the tyre is too big for the rim, but it is the same size as the old tyre.

Any tips or know someone in Auckland who can help pop it back in please? Really don't want to go to PB Tech who say they will charge $80 for one hour of labour, just to pop the tyre back on the rim. I can put the wheel back on the scooter etc.

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meow
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#2798376 20-Oct-2021 23:35

I've been there, done that. I was not personally successful getting the tyre back on (it is an absolute PITA).

Took mine to a bike shop in the end who managed to pry it back on. Also make sure that you put talc on the inner tube to prevent pinching + consider filling them up with Slime to prevent this happening again.

Good luck.

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SCUBADOO

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#2798380 21-Oct-2021 00:09

After 2 flats on the rear tyre within a week of purchase about 2 years ago I ordered 2 solid tyres from Aliexpress for US$30.
Boiling the tyre in water for 5 minutes made the replacement relatively easy.
Sure the ride is a little firmer but no more flats in the last 2 years made it all worthwhile and I still have a spare.

lurker

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#2798382 21-Oct-2021 00:48

Highly recommend replacing rear tyre with solid tyre, they are so much easier to get on and you're done.

Have done that with every M365 in the household. I don't notice any reduction in ride comfort using the solid tyres

jaymz

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#2798432 21-Oct-2021 09:02

I've not replaced a tyre on a scooter, but for the little bikes the kids have and on the smaller rims on the pit bikes we own, I find using a strong solution of dish washing liquid to make it easier to get the tyre over the bead of the rim.

Could be worth a shot to try in this instance too

Batman

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#2798436 21-Oct-2021 09:06

I've found it's easier to get the thing in a kneading position, grab the tread with both palms of hand and push the thing to the floor with body weight. Prying is impossible due to small diameter and will likely result in pinching the tube and it will leak and you have to do it all again.

Handsomedan

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#2798437 21-Oct-2021 09:07

I had the exact same experience - twice!

Local bike shop did the first one, then I decided after faffing about that I'd go solid.

Tried multiple times with the boiling and various other methods I found online then gave up and took it to a scooter store for fitting - still have the pneumatic on the front, but as soon as that gets a flat, I know where I am going for my replacement/fitting!

Bike shop broke two plastic levers and bent a metal one trying to get the tyre on the first time.

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sonyxperiageek

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#2798443 21-Oct-2021 09:16

Lol glad to see I'm not the only one!

How much are bike shops charging to put these back on?

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jonathan18

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#2798539 21-Oct-2021 10:32

It's quite disappointing to see manufacturers producing scooters on which it is so difficult to change tyres or innertubes - really irresponsible design.

I luckily never had this problem when I owned a Mi; after much irritation of trying to get the tyre over the rim of the back wheel of my replacement scooter I discovered the wheels broke into two pieces! Given how many punctures I've had on the scooter it's just as well it's so relatively easy to change them as I'd be broke by now if I'd had to pay a professional to do it...

I've thought about going solid tyres, and no doubt could get away with it given I've got suspension; but I totally see why those with the Mi do this...

Handsomedan

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#2798652 21-Oct-2021 11:26

sonyxperiageek: Lol glad to see I'm not the only one!

How much are bike shops charging to put these back on?

The bike shop charged me $20.00, but some of them won't do it, due to how hard it can be.

Scoozi charge $80 per wheel

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sonyxperiageek

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#2799427 22-Oct-2021 13:49

Which bike shop was that?

Took it into Evo Cycle in the end and they charged me half an hour labour at $50 to pop the tyre back on. Turns out that I had pinched the replacement tube when I was trying to put it back on, so used my last spare that came with the scooter. Smh xiaomi...

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#2799581 22-Oct-2021 17:00

it's not xiaomi, it's physics, that's how it is with small diameter tyres.

PS did you find the pinch flat or did the shop say you caused the pinch flat? if the latter i'm willing to suggest either you or them could have caused it.

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#2799626 22-Oct-2021 19:10

Yep been there. I've probably changed about 20 tyres. First one I ever did took me 2 hours and a lot of swearing. Quickest change is about 10 minutes.

The rear tyre is a lot easier than the front one. It gets easier but never easy.

The valve in the front wheel can be a rear bastard to get in - some people end up drilling the hole in the wheel bigger to get it in.

Good tools help (I have large motorcycle tyre irons) and technique is very important.

jonathan18

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#2799726 22-Oct-2021 23:02

Batman:

it's not xiaomi, it's physics, that's how it is with small diameter tyres.

As mentioned in an earlier post, my current scooter doesn’t have this problem as it has split rims. Undo a few screws and the two parts separate easily, allowing straightforward access to change the inner tube.

Why, other than adding cost, isn’t that an option for other brands like Xiaomi?

MarkM536

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#2799731 23-Oct-2021 01:22

lurker:

Highly recommend replacing rear tyre with solid tyre

I don't notice any reduction in ride comfort using the solid tyres

I've been holding off on my scooter brand for solid tyres because of ride comfort. But I'm getting sick of replacing/repairing flat inner tubes now.

I'm at least up to 10 in 2 years (just over 1km on the odometer). Even with tyre liner, it always slips and causes a puncture without anything actually going through the tyre!

I think I should trial a solid tyre. 😕 Thanks for confidence in their ride comfort.

-- Sorry for high jacking the thread 😶. --

BlueOwl

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#2799758 23-Oct-2021 08:43

jonathan18:

Batman:

it's not xiaomi, it's physics, that's how it is with small diameter tyres.

As mentioned in an earlier post, my current scooter doesn’t have this problem as it has split rims. Undo a few screws and the two parts separate easily, allowing straightforward access to change the inner tube.

Why, other than adding cost, isn’t that an option for other brands like Xiaomi?

My Zero9 also has split rims on the front, but I never undo the screws to replace the tube. They have steel bolts tapped into the soft aluminium rims - a sure recipe for the threads getting stripped if you over tighten, or just screw them in and out a few times - and now you need a new wheel. I'd rather wrestle the tyre on over the rim, and with a bit of practice and the right tools it isn't a problem.

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