Electric bikes are a fun commute, equipped with a battery and a motor for more options. With these, you can go as far as your battery provides in as much convenience as possible. When enjoying long-distance trips, however, your tires should be taken care of as much as possible to ensure they remain solid for your rides. A flat tire can potentially ruin the day.
Having a flat tire can be a problem if you use your e-bike for commuting or taking your child to school every day. Strangely enough, your e-bike’s tires do not need that much attention to serve you well. This article provides more information to help you get the best out of your e-bike tires. Stay tuned.
What is a Flat Tire? When Riding an Electric Bike
A flat tire is a situation where, for whatever reason, your tires are deflated without the right amount of pressure to provide smooth propulsion. Consider a flat tire the result of several conditions affecting the tires and the roads you travel. The best thing to do when you are with a flat tire is to identify the causes and take care of it if possible.
E-bike Tires vs. Traditional Bike Tires
E-bike tires and traditional bike tires have slight differences that are causes for wide disparities. Electric bikes are more equipped to wear tires out, so manufacturers ensure to prepare for this.
Potent rubber compounds are created for wear resistance due to the extreme usage e-bikes are built for. This is important because e-bikes tend to be used way more than traditional bikes and the capacity to handle pressure on such a level can extend tire use.
E-bikes provide more speed, and the friction could cause a build-up of heat. A stronger housing is designed for e-bike tires to withstand the heat generated. The faster speed means e-bikes provide more acceleration and braking power. Himiway Cruiser e-bike, for example, offers durability with the use of high-quality 26″ × 4″ Kenda all-terrain tires.
However, high-quality tires are not enough to protect you from having a flat tire.
Common Causes of a Flat Tire When Riding an Electric Bike
There are several reasons why your e-bike tires are flat. When faced with this situation, ensure to stay calm. The best way forward is to identify the root cause of your flat tire. Check around the flat tire for any hidden causes of damage.
For example, a broken or opened tire valve, for example, could lead to a loss in pressure and a flat tire. A valve is an object with an opening on the tire used to inflate and increase tire pressure. If your tires are worn from overuse, this could lead to the skin around the valve breaking.
Tires getting punctured by a sharp object are among the leading causes of flat tires. If you happen to ride in debris or dirty parts of the road, your tires exposed to sharp objects like nails, bottles, and stones.
Additionally, you can check the tire bead in locating a flat. The tire bead is the inner loop of the tire that connects it to the rim and keeps them firmly in place. Air leaking from the tire bead is a sign of deflation which identified by tiny air bubbles after adding soapy water to it.
Ways to Avoid Flat Tires on Your Electric Bike
It may be inevitable, but planning to avoid flat tires is a better strategy than fixing them on a bike. To aid your plans, here are some tips to avoid flat tires
- Pay Attention To The Road
Riding requires an amount of focus if you intend to prolong the usage of your e-bike tires. Paying attention to the road is necessary to generally avoid things that could put your tires at risk of damage. Look right at the debris, sharp objects, or potholes, and intentionally maneuver to avoid them. While you pay attention to the road and your rid, remember to avoid parts of the road that tend to littered for the potential hazard they pose to the health of your tires.
- Check Tire Pressure Before Riding
One of the best ways to ensure your tires are on the right PSI for riding and avoid deflated tires is to check tire pressure before setting out. Understand that every tire is at risk of damage and becoming flat. Invest in a gauge and tire pump to know the condition of your tires always and reinflate. Higher pressure equals more bounce and more ability to glide over rough roads.
A tire liner is a strip of the plastic insert into the tire and tube to provide backup for the tires and reduce the chance of getting puncture by smaller sharp objects on the road. Heavy-duty tire liners recommended for riders exposed to rough roads or who ride through debris often. Improper installation of the tire liner can lead to deflated tires, so ensure your tires stay properly inflated.
- Have a Sealant in Your Toolkit
A sealant is a useful tool that can used for fixing a flat tire on a bike. You can apply some to coat the inside of the tube and strengthen your tires. This is useful in protecting your tires from minor damage. It is a good idea to have some in your kit during rides. In case of punctured tires, squeeze some sealant onto the hole and wait till it is seal.
Conclusion
When you have an e-bike that suits your riding requirements, you need to plan to ensure, you won’t spend more time fixing your tires than riding. Long-distance riding and everyday commutes mean you rely on your tires more and require the best quality tires for the long term.
The Himiway Cobra’s 26″ × 4.8″ tires built for all terrains, including mountainous regions. Wider tires provide more stability, and the Cobra uses the widest tires available. It’s tires design to provide grip and traction no matter the terrain. Get the Himiway Cobra electric mountain bike today to reduce the time spent fixing flat tires and improve your riding.