Solid vs pneumatic: which e-scooter ride suits you?

Solid or air-filled? It's the first fork in the e-scooter road, and the right answer depends entirely on where you ride.

Pneumatic tyres

Air-filled tyres soak up footpath cracks, tram tracks and gravel. They grip wetter, ride quieter and protect the scooter's bearings and deck over time. The trade: a monthly pressure check and the occasional puncture repair.

Solid tyres

Solid rubber never punctures and never needs pumping. For flawless boardwalks and smooth bike paths, they're fine — but on rough suburban concrete every crack travels straight up through the deck.

Our verdict

If your route crosses anything older than five years, go pneumatic. Commuters who value zero maintenance over comfort are the only riders who should choose solid.