The electric scooters They have become a widely used vehicle in cities due to their versatility, portability and price. Most of the models that are sold have relatively affordable prices, and at the moment, you do not have to pay mandatory fees or insurance to be able to use one in our country. However, the scooter requires some action on the part of the user in order for it to remain in one piece and to last as long as possible. If you have bought a scooter and want to keep it in good condition, follow these steps to have a good control of its maintenance.
What should I keep on a scooter?
For a vehicle to last as long as possible, don't have breaks expensive and keep its features intact, you have to spend a little time and money to check its components. Keeping a car, motorcycle or scooter is really a investment. A small effort that will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
Scooters, like any vehicle, have wear items and fixed components. It will not be worth it to change the motor, the battery or the chassis, so it will be more expensive for you to take care of these components with care. But, on the other hand, there are elements that can be worn out, damaged or even lost along the way, as is the case with reflectors.
The basic thing you must have to be able to maintain your scooter is a allen key set. They are very cheap, and can save you from many troubles. Most electric scooters use this type of key. However, do a check before launching into the purchase just in case.
See offer on AmazonTire maintenance
Without a doubt, the element to which you should pay the most attention. A flat tire it can ruin your day. On most scooters, changing one rubber for another can be complicated, especially the one that goes on the drive wheel. Therefore, it is convenient for you to take care of it so as not to have a bad drink. the wheels are wear items, but you will have to do many kilometers before having to replace them. Skateboard tires leak presión little by little, exactly the same as in cars.
To avoid a puncture, you must have your wheels on the proper pressure. Each scooter model has a type of tire and a recommended pressure. The more you weigh, the more pressure you must put on the wheel. On the Internet you can find recommendation tables that will give you an idea of how much pressure you should put in each specific tire based on your weight. As a guide, a user of about 60 kilos with a Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 1S with stock wheels (8 1/2 inches) can put 3 BAR of pressure on the front wheel and 3,3 BAR on the rear of the scooter. With the right pressure, you will prevent the tire from being soft when going over a branch or from hitting a curb from bursting the inner chamber of the tire.
To do this maintenance, the ideal is to have a automatic inflator. In this case there is no better product than the xiaomi inflator. It has a battery, you can carry it in any backpack —although it weighs a bit— and you can inflate a tire effortlessly. It is advisable to measure the tire pressure every two or three weeks if you do not use the scooter much or every week if you use it very intensively.
brake maintenance
The brake is another important element of the safety of your scooter. We recommend that you adjust the retention of the electric motor of your scooter to the maximum. In this way, you will have to use it the minimum, and it will last you longer. However, as a wearing part, it will lose performance over time. This is what you should do to ensure your safety:
Brake disc
With use, the brake disc of your scooter can be bend with use. You will notice it because you will begin to hear an atrocious screeching, and the people on the street will look at you with a grim face.
In these cases, there three options what can you do:
- adjust the screws to separate the brake caliper from the disc and stop rubbing. It's not ideal, because now when you have to brake, you will have to press the brake lever more sharply.
- grind the disk: If you have the right tools, you can use a sander to straighten the disc.
- replace disk: It is the most suitable option, since these disks are quite affordable. You will simply have to look for a spare part equivalent to the original.
Brake pads
It's not usual, but they can be spent. In this case, the pills are usually sold in large packs, and they are usually quite cheap. To avoid wearing the pads, the correct thing to do is to adjust the retention of the scooter's motor to the maximum. By doing so, you will have to pull less on the brake, and the pads will last longer.
See offer on Amazonadjust the brake
Your drive may not bend, but you may still hear the squeak. This is because you have to adjust brake bite occasionally.
To do this, loosen a little with the Allen key the screw that holds the brake cable. Now, press the brake lever to the maximum and without letting go, tighten the screw again. Check by turning the wheel by hand to make sure it is no longer rubs the disc. If you have not solved it, it is possible that the brake caliper is crooked, or that the disc itself is bent.
Good charging habits
Changing a scooter battery can be expensive and also an impossible operation on some models. Therefore, it should be taken care of.
For that, Avoid stress. Start your ride by propelling the scooter well with your leg on the ground to avoid unnecessary strain on the battery.
Also do not take your vehicle to Extreme situations. Try as far as possible not to take it to very low battery percentages, as this quickly degrades lithium cells. In the same way, you can disconnect the charger when you have the scooter over 90%. Cutting off the charge early can also help extend its useful life.
Other security features
You can't forget about these other aspects either.
correct address
You also have to check other aspects of the scooter. If you hit a curb hard, for example, it can happen that the axle of your scooter bends. With straight handlebars, the front wheel of your vehicle will not be straight.
This problem can be corrected with the same Allen keys, disassembling the neck at the point where it folds and putting the bearing back in place. In case it is damaged, you should replace it.
reflectors
The side reflectors on your scooter can fall off due to vibration. If it happens to you, you should buy spare parts and install them as soon as you notice it.
Other ways to prevent punctures
There are the rigid wheels, that will make you never have to worry about bursting a wheel. However, their use by city does not fully convince us, and we do not recommend that you install them.
Rigid wheels have less grip, transmit more shocks and vibrations, and can be a danger if you drive on a wet surface.
In this case, there are two better solutions:
- 10 wheels: Many scooters can be modified to carry larger wheels. You will have less autonomy —because the contact surface increases—, but you will gain in safety and comfort. It is recommended that you go to a specialized store to have them installed. Also take advantage of the visit to level up your brakes and install a double-piston caliper.
- Anti-puncture fluid: you shouldn't need it, but if you're afraid of one day getting a puncture and being stuck in the middle of nowhere, you can use solutions like SLIME liquid. This is a compound that is inserted into the inner tube and will seal a puncture as soon as it occurs. The product is very affordable and you can use it to prevent a disaster if you see fit.
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