Gotway mTen3 - Type II MiniPro Tire Retrofit Review

GQS · July 27, 2018

So like several of you, I got my hands on a "Type II" Segway MiniPro tire from the internet (eBay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/142519100754). Our OEM tire size is 70/65-6.5, that's <overall diameter> / <tread width> - <inner diameter>. There are two wheels in this size, the original that comes with your mTen3 and the type II that are on the newer Segway MiniPro's. The advantage of the new tire is that is is slightly more symmertrical versus the asymmetric tread of the original tire. Also the Type II tire is naturally rounded at the tread as part of the mold process, the original tire is actually flat across the tread when uninflated but stretch out to a bulb shape when filled with air. The Type II tire is slightly thicker and less stressed at the center of the tread because it is naturally rounded. The Type II tire is a tubeless tire and can work with a tube or tubeless. I recommend that you do the tubeless conversion at this time if already you have the wheel off. You need a special micro tubeless tire valve stem made for PEV's and not the ones made for automobiles (eBay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/192610853975). Do not get a regular full-sized car [automobile] tire valve stem, it will NOT fit the smaller hole on the mTen3. I used a nylon string to pull the micro valve stem with ease.

The new tire's max recommended pressure is 35psi but will safely take 40-45psi if you are exceptionally heavy. But really anything over 30 makes the tire feel like a rock. The new tread is much more stable at speed, and the tendency for self steering is greatly reduced. The stock tire is almost unrideable even before the 3rd beep, but now I can stay in the 3rd beep zone on the sidewalk for extended periods of time. If you are a slow speed rider, you will not see too much difference but as the speed increases, this new "type II" tire will be better, mind you it won't make you stable like a mSuper, but definitely noticeably more stable than the asymmetrical stock tread. The weave pattern makes it feel a little more knobby if you fill it to max pressure but not noticeable at lower pressures. This modification is a non-brainer improvement for the stability. If you have an mTen3, I recommend that you consider changing out the tire to this new tread pattern ASAP. And do the tubeless conversion while you are at it.