This video provides a detailed, four-step guide on how to change a tire and inner tube on a Xiaomi electric scooter, applicable to various models including the Standard, Pro, and Essential. The process is known to be challenging due to the stiff tires and strong motor magnets. The tutorial covers the necessary tools, a specific method for removing the front wheel, separating the motor from the wheel, carefully removing and refitting the tire using clamps and levers, and then reassembling the components. It also includes a brief section on how to remove the rear wheel, noting that the subsequent tire change process is identical to the front. Key emphasis is placed on careful handling to avoid damage and effective techniques for managing tight tire beads.
Summarizing a Xiaomi Electric Scooter Tire Change
0:00 Introduction & Scope: The video outlines a four-step guide for changing a tire on various Xiaomi electric scooter models (Standard, Pro, Essential), noting the inherent difficulty of the task.
0:26 Required Tools: A comprehensive list of tools is provided, including a 2.5mm Allen key, pick/knife, 18mm spanner, T20 security tool, hammer, pliers, tire levers, mole grips/plumber's wrench, zip ties, and a spare inner tube.
0:55 Remove Reflective Stickers: Carefully peel off the front fork stickers with a sharp knife (replacements are cheap if damaged).
1:10 Remove Allen Key Bolts: Unscrew six 2.5mm Allen key bolts securing the fork covers (four on the right, two on the left).
1:33 Remove Shorter Bolts: Remove additional shorter 2.5mm Allen key bolts (two per side, more on older models) that secure the fork itself. Keep these separate.
1:52 Loosen Axle Nuts: Use an 18mm spanner (avoid adjustable ones) to loosen the axle nuts on both sides, ensuring a firm grip as they can be very tight.
2:52 Detach Wheel: Once loosened, the front wheel should drop out, being mindful of the motor cable on the drive side.
3:09 Remove Anti-Spin Washers: Take off the anti-spin washers from the axle, noting their orientation (notch facing outwards, fit on the inside of the fork).
3:23 Loosen Motor Bolts: Flip the wheel and use a T20 bit to loosen all six motor bolts.
3:41 Free the Axle: Flip the wheel back over and gently hammer the axle through to create a gap between the motor cover and the wheel, being careful not to damage the motor cable.
4:12 Separate Motor: Move the wheel to the floor, position the motor cover upwards, and press onto the tire section to free the motor from the wheel. Use knees to hold it down as the magnets are very strong.
4:56 Deflate Tire: Remove the valve cap, pop off the washer, and fully deflate the tire by pressing the valve, ensuring no air remains.
5:41 Break the Bead: This is a critical step. Use two taped mole grips or pipe grips (secured with zip ties) to squeeze the tire beads together deeply into the rim's valley, creating essential slack on the opposite side.
6:43 Lever Off Tire: Starting from the side with slack, use strong tire levers to pop one side of the tire off the wheel.
7:31 Remove Inner Tube: Pull out the old inner tube.
8:03 Inspect Tire: Before fitting the new tube, thoroughly check the inside of the tire for thorns, glass, or other debris that could cause a new puncture.
8:17 Partially Inflate New Tube: Partially inflate the new inner tube to help it hold a circular shape and prevent pinching during installation.
8:25 Insert New Tube: Insert the new tube into the tire, aligning the valve with the correct hole and ensuring the valve points to the right (motor side).
9:06 Re-fit Tire (First Side): Press one side of the tire back onto the wheel.
9:13 Re-fit Tire (Second Side): Reapply the mole grips/pipe grips and zip ties to squeeze the tire beads again, then use tire levers to carefully work the second bead back onto the rim, starting from the clamped section.
10:38 Reinstall Valve Washer: Pull the valve carefully with pliers and slide the washer back into place.
11:01 Reinstall Motor: On the floor, align the motor with the valve hole, and carefully drop it back into the wheel (magnets are strong).
11:27 Tighten Motor Bolts: Place the wheel on a desk and tighten the six motor bolts in a diamond pattern, but not fully until all are in place, then tighten securely.
12:23 Reinstall Front Wheel: Slot the wheel back into the forks, applying upward pressure to seat it correctly.
12:59 Tighten Axle Nuts: Pull back the plastic cover and use the 18mm spanner to fully tighten the axle nuts.
13:32 Reinstall Shorter Bolts: Reattach the four shorter 2.5mm Allen key bolts to the side of the fork.
14:00 Reinstall Fork Covers & Stickers: Put the fork covers back on using the longer 2.5mm Allen key bolts, then reattach the reflective stickers.
14:38 Inflate Tire: Inflate the tire to the correct PSI using a Xiaomi tire valve extender and pump, then replace the valve cap.