Tires, E-bike compatible or not?
03-14-20, 08:22 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Posts: 2,475
Bikes: Canyon Endurace
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1041 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
540 Posts
Tires, E-bike compatible or not?
In my quest for new tires for my fitness bike (Trek FX, non E-Bike) I'm seeing a lot of tires that are being advertised as E-Bike compatible or E-Bike ready. But when I look closely at the specs there is no mention of any particular E-Bike build specification other than they seem more puncture resistant and heavier. For example, I'm looking at the Vittoria Revolution Tech G2.0 in 35mm width.
Is there any particular reason I should shy away from these E-Bike compatible tires other than the weight and apparent stiffness?
Is there any particular reason I should shy away from these E-Bike compatible tires other than the weight and apparent stiffness?
03-14-20, 08:35 AM
#2
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,985
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,808 Times
in
3,316 Posts
Probably not if you are not concerned with a heavier stiffer tire being on your bike. Some regular bicycle tires probably aren't suitable for E-bikes because they aren built for the heavier loading of some of the heavier e-bikes.
03-14-20, 08:52 AM
#3
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
I would be happy to switch the robust 700x45 tires on my spouse's Trek e-assist to a lighter 35-40mm tire if she wished. She doesn't.
Her bike is a 20 mph max model and she weighs 50 lbs less than me. Her tires would probably be good for me on a 28mph e-assist bike. Overkill but seem to be rugged tires, which is a good thing.
Her bike is a 20 mph max model and she weighs 50 lbs less than me. Her tires would probably be good for me on a 28mph e-assist bike. Overkill but seem to be rugged tires, which is a good thing.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Last edited by JanMM; 03-14-20 at 09:03 AM.
03-14-20, 08:58 AM
#4
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,985
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,808 Times
in
3,316 Posts
03-14-20, 10:51 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Posts: 2,475
Bikes: Canyon Endurace
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1041 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
540 Posts
Thanks everyone. And you are correct... the weight really goes up fast with these tires. I'm looking for a 32-38mm tire that is as durable as can be expected. I am willing to sacrafice wome weight in order to achieve this goal. I plan on using this bike for a couple of 80 mile overnight rides this summer (slow speed) and would prefer to enjoy the ride rather than be changing flats, and knowing if I run across a rough road I can handle it.
I was pretty sure these e-bike tires were just reinforced heavy tires.
I was pretty sure these e-bike tires were just reinforced heavy tires.
03-14-20, 11:35 AM
#8
Senior Member
Just marketing. More and more tires get that label. Same way you can buy water that is advertised as "no carb, no fat) etc. True, but meaningless statement. There is nothing an ebike changes for the tire besides a bit added weight.you also add a bit more torque to the rear tire and possibly higher speeds. More braking too, since you don't need to ride with conserving momentum in mind. An ebike will just wear all components a bit more.
What you need to choose if you want a durable, or light tire. Touring tires are heavier, but have good flat protection and long life. On the other side a racing tire will be light, but not durable. Both could be used on an ebike.
There are ebike specific brakes. Why wouldn't a downhill 4-pot brake not also be able to handle the added 15 lb the ebike adds? What if you ride the ebike dowhill?
Same way hey have ebike brakes. i see the added weight, but why woudl a s
What you need to choose if you want a durable, or light tire. Touring tires are heavier, but have good flat protection and long life. On the other side a racing tire will be light, but not durable. Both could be used on an ebike.
There are ebike specific brakes. Why wouldn't a downhill 4-pot brake not also be able to handle the added 15 lb the ebike adds? What if you ride the ebike dowhill?
Same way hey have ebike brakes. i see the added weight, but why woudl a s
03-14-20, 11:47 AM
#9
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,985
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,808 Times
in
3,316 Posts
Being overly worried about flats will cause you to buy a harsh riding tire more likely than not. Flats are easy to fix once you learn.
I ride rough roads some too, and I don't get flats from them. I do get flats when I run off the road and don't check the tread for glass and rock shards or other debri.
I ride rough roads some too, and I don't get flats from them. I do get flats when I run off the road and don't check the tread for glass and rock shards or other debri.
03-14-20, 02:47 PM
#10
Senior Member
Being overly worried about flats will cause you to buy a harsh riding tire more likely than not. Flats are easy to fix once you learn.
I ride rough roads some too, and I don't get flats from them. I do get flats when I run off the road and don't check the tread for glass and rock shards or other debri.
I ride rough roads some too, and I don't get flats from them. I do get flats when I run off the road and don't check the tread for glass and rock shards or other debri.
A cheap tire is harsh, but a durable tire not necessarily.
Fixing flats is demoralizing. What if the flat happens when you are already running late, or when it gets dark or starts to rain, or in a bad neighborhood? Or you ride where are multiple thorns etc.
03-14-20, 06:19 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Saratoga calif.
Posts: 1,049
Bikes: Miyata 610(66cm), GT Vantara Hybrid (64cm), Nishiki International (64cm), Peugeot rat rod (62 cm), Trek 800 Burning Man helicopter bike, Bob Jackson frame (to be restored?) plus a never ending stream of neglected waifs from the Bike exchange.
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 339 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 632 Times
in
229 Posts
One thing that hasn't been discussed is the difficulty changing tires on some E bikes , especially the rear wheel that contains the motor. I have had a few E bikes come through the Bike Exchange and had to go online to get directions for removal and replacement .It was a couple hour process with the instructions in hand and possibly un doable without them. Faced with that hassle I would put durability and flat protection at the top of my list.
By the way, I now have (2) E zip bikes I recently purchased for $100 each . They are like new and the batteries hold a charge. These are Low tech bikes with a 450 watt motor hung off the side of the chain stay. They don't go up hills well , especially hauling my 260 lbs. but they are reasonably well built and are the perfect steed for Burning Man , which is held in the Nevada wilderness on a dry lake bed that is as flat as a pool table.
By the way, I now have (2) E zip bikes I recently purchased for $100 each . They are like new and the batteries hold a charge. These are Low tech bikes with a 450 watt motor hung off the side of the chain stay. They don't go up hills well , especially hauling my 260 lbs. but they are reasonably well built and are the perfect steed for Burning Man , which is held in the Nevada wilderness on a dry lake bed that is as flat as a pool table.
