Beginner’s Guide: How to Choose the Best E-Bike Tires

Replacing e-bike tires becomes inevitable after a year or two, depending on how often you use your e-bike and for what purposes. We recommend changing e-bike tires at the end of 2 years to avoid being stranded on the road and having to walk your bike home. Typically, a bike tire should give you anywhere between 2000 and 3000 miles. However, their lifespan also depends on the type of tires you’re using and the materials used.

When you’re replacing e-bike tires, this is a perfect time to explore all the options and find tires that are best suited for your needs and requirements. If this is your first time looking for tires and you don’t know where to begin, there’s nothing to worry about. We’ve compiled this list to help you in your search. First, let’s take a look at when you’ll need to replace the tires on your electric bike:

When Should I Replace My E-Bike Tires?

There are several signs that may suggest that your bike tires have lived their lifespan and are now in dire need of a replacement. For example, if you notice cuts on your tires that are deep enough to expose the inner tubes, you should replace them. You may even spot the tubes bulging out in this instance.

In addition to cuts, you should also look for signs of wear and tear. If the tires on your bike are worn out to the extent that your casing is exposed, it’s time to shop for new ones. Another easy-to-spot problem is the elasticity issue. If your bike’s tires have lost their elasticity, they will look dry and cracked.

If you have one of the latest road e-bikes, you may even have an indicator on the bike, which tells you the tires have lived their total lifespan. However, if you don’t have an indicator, you can also check the tread. If the tread is out of shape and not round, you might face issues.

On mountain bikes, it’s the center lugs that may require special attention. Ruined center lugs are smaller and rounded. It’s best to invest in new tires if you notice any of these signs, but how can you choose the best tires for your e-bike?

How to Pick the Best Tires for Your E-Bike?

First and foremost, you need to know the exact size of your current e-bike tires. The width and diameter will help you narrow down your search to specific sizes that will fit your bike. While you can’t play around with the diameter of the tires, you can increase or decrease the width of your new tires. However, you should not drastically increase the width of the tires as it may hinder the bike’s performance.

Now, let’s take a look at the different tire options for specific e-bikes:

1. Road Bike Tires

Road bikes typically come in 700c, which is the diameter of the wheels. Their width can be anywhere between 23c to 32c. Tires with higher width have a great grip; however, they have heavier and require stronger peddling. The most popular choice amongst road bikers is 25c, but if you’re a heavier biker you should go for wider tires.

You don’t necessarily need a tread pattern for road bikes. So, pick tires with a smooth or slick pattern and you’ll be good to go. If you reside in an area where it rains often, you may need to choose tires with grooves on the sides. Click here to take a look at the Continental Ultra Sport III Folding PureGrip tires for your road bike.

2. Mountain Bike Tires

Mountain bike tires are typically wider than road bike tires, and they have more patterns to support the grip on uneven terrains. They come in three common diameters; 622, 584, and 559. In addition, their width can be anywhere between 19mm to 40mm.

You should choose the width size depending on the type of terrain you cross during your biking adventures. e-bike fat tires are also an option to consider, which offer a width anywhere between 44mm and 100mm. So, if you own a fat bike, you must consider the options accordingly.

Tightly packed knobs on tread patterns will make the bike faster and easier to peddle. However, they will lack the grip you need for your biking adventures. Click here to take a look at the Schwinn Replacement Bike Tire for mountain bikes.

3. Hybrid Bike Tires

Hybrid bike tires are made while keeping the daily commuter in mind. They are heavier than road tires and can often have a tread pattern as well. Their diameter is 700c, which is similar to road bikes. However, their width can be anywhere between 28mm to 48mm.

Choose a tire tread depending on the roads you take during your daily commute. If the pavements are smooth, you should pick the slick tread patterns, like the ones found in road bike tires. However, if you also take it through dirt and rocky roads, you will require some tread pattern for added support.

You should also consider tires with shoulder tread and puncture resistance for maximum utility. Click here to view Fincci Pair 26 x 1.95 Inch 53-559 Foldable Slick Tires.

Types of Tires

Tubeless bike tires are used by those who are looking for a firmer grip, lighter weight, and fewer puncture costs. They have an added layer to protect the tire sealant and last a long time. In contrast, a clincher tire has tubes in it. However, the tires are hooked to the rim using a bead.

Most racers prefer tubular tires which have thinner tubes and are glued to the rims. While these tires increase the speed, they are not really good in terms of usability. Click here to view Continental Grand Prix 4 Season Road Bike Tire, which is a great example of a clincher tire.

Concluding Thoughts

We have discussed some basics that beginner bikers should know in order to understand when they need to replace e-bike tires. In addition, we have also provided some detailed explanations for specific bike tires and the types of tires available in the market. We hope this article helps you make an informed decision when shopping for your new tires. In the end, the decision will come down to your preferences and budget.

Our personal favorite is the Continental Gatorskin Bike Tire for road bikes. Click here to view it. Do you want to learn more about e-bikes? Watch this space for more updates from us on e-bike tires, maintenance tips, new releases, and more!