9 Top Tips to Reduce Electric Bike Punctures

Falling off a bike is the most common source of embarrassment in cycling. One moment is still having fun, the next second is pulling out tools and doing the dirty work. If you don't bring a tire repair kit or a spare tire, you may face the embarrassment of a flat tire.

It's wise to be prepared for everything, so it's wise to bring a spare tube and learn how to patch a puncture quickly. When your electric bike tire has holes in it, you can either fix it or replace it.

Avoiding the puncture in the first place is preferable to repairing it afterward. Here are nine simple tips to reduce the chance of a flat or flat tire on your electric bike.

What are the reasons for a flat tire on an electric bike?

An electric bike tire puncture can be caused by a few different things—not checking the tire, old tires, incorrect tire pressure, incorrect brake settings, and riding through potholes can all cause these to happen.

Want to avoid a flat tire on your bike? Here are my nine top tips to help you avoid a flat tire on your electric bike and make sure you don't get into trouble while riding your bike.

 1. Choose the best fat tires

First, choose fat tires designed for any condition.

It's amazing to ride on our best electric bike fat tires from Shengmilo—they have the best grip, cushioning, and stability while minimizing weight and rolling resistance on the terrain you'll be riding on.

Fat tires perform well in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. They have puncture resistance and puncture-resistant grip, so choosing a good quality fat tire is the perfect way to prevent a flat tire on your electric bike.

Wider tires can also give you more grip and better ride comfort, and if your frame has clearance, a gravel bike tire with a lighter tread might also be great for cycling to work, winter cycling, or a good choice for mixed-terrain riding.

 2. Check your tires on a regular basis

It is important to pay close attention to the condition of your electric bike tires, as worn tires are more prone to punctures. Highly worn tires will have a flat or square profile due to the thickness of the rubber that has been worn by the road or track.

Some tires are designed with a tread wear indicator that makes it easy to determine when to replace them. If the tread has worn down to the point where punctures or carcass threads are visible, even a bit of a sharp object, it's time to replace the tire.

Even if your tires are in good condition, a tire inspection is always a good idea. Before riding, you should always check the tread of your tires to make sure there is no gravel, glass, thorns, or other debris in them.

To prevent foreign objects from getting deep into the tire and causing a puncture, use a small screwdriver or sharp point to pull it out.

 3. Examine your rims

If your electric bike has rim brakes, check that the brake pads are properly positioned on the rim. There is a risk of incorrectly fitting them on the tire instead of leaning against it. This will cause the tires to wear out and become more vulnerable.

Avoid this at all costs; it won't immediately make you lose control of the electric bike, but it will reduce braking effectiveness and may cause the tube to "pop" and lose pressure quickly.

You can check the alignment of the brake pads by rotating the wheel while applying pressure to the brakes and looking at the position of the pads. If you need any help with riding an electric bike, head to an electric bike store near you.

 4. Replace worn or damaged tires and tubes

Remember to replace your tires with new ones when the tread starts to wear down or shows visible cracks. Please try to get new inner and outer tires every 10,000 kilometers or so, no matter how often or how badly something strange happens.

The service life of the inner tube of an electric bike is limited. During your annual bike maintenance, you should get a new inner tube. As before, some thought it was ridiculous. Is there even a difference? In my opinion, it's just good form as part of daily electric bike maintenance.

As tires age, the risk of a puncture increases exponentially. Poorly cut tires also fall into this category. You should be concerned about any punctures that penetrate the inner lining of the tire. Your worst emotional moments are sure to be ruined by this. After a week on tires, you can sometimes get seriously injured. Stop wasting time and get a new one. This is a good strategy if you want to reduce the chance of a flat tire on your electric bike.

 5. Use tire armor on your electric bike

While tire armor isn't something you'll often see on an electric bike, it can be a lifesaver if you're riding your electric bike on rough terrain with frequent punctures. Rubber "tire armor" protects the inner tube of a bicycle or electric bike tire from damage and provides a more comfortable ride. Electric bike tires aren't cheap, so covering them with tire armor may increase their lifespan and give you peace of mind on the road. Even if you use tire armor, you can still keep your tires in good working order. No matter how well your tires are protected with tire armor, they still need to be checked regularly for wear and punctures.

 6. Check your tire pressure regularly

Always make sure you are riding with the correct tire pressure. Too high or too low tire pressure will only increase the chance of a puncture.

If you have too much pressure on your tire, it will have a hard time deforming on anything and staying rigid, so if you hit a pothole or similar obstacle, it's more likely to "pop".

However, too low tire pressure can also cause trouble. When encountering unexpected bumps, the inner tube can get stuck between the rim and the tire, making it prone to flattening. Not only that, but too little stress can drastically reduce your efficiency—you need more effort to push yourself forward, so unless you specifically want a high-resistance workout, riding isn't as fun.

The correct tire pressure depends on your tire width, weather conditions, and weight.

 7. Ensure that the tire pressure remains within the specified range

Normal air pressure ranges, like 20 psi, are usually written on the outer tires of Shenmgilo electric bikes, and the air pressure should always be within the range written on the tire.

The standard air pressure value can protect the rim from damage and make driving more comfortable. It can also stop things from getting stuck in the tires while driving.

 8. Please try to avoid roads with more debris, such as gravel

Riding carefully and avoiding rough sections or gutters littered with sharp debris that can lead to punctures can significantly reduce the chance of a puncture. This may sound like an overly cautious approach for electric bike riders, but it's well worth it because a flat tire can ruin your entire ride and waste a lot of your precious time.

 9. Clean your tires after a ride in the rain

Riding in the rain increases the chance of a flat tire. If you do ride in the rain, be especially careful with puddles to make sure you carry a spare tube and a good bike pump. Clean the front and rear tires with a damp cloth after riding. Also, check for any cuts and any glass or sharp objects that may be embedded in the outside of the tire. They are often found inside small cuts on the outer edge of the tire.

Punctures are annoying, and if you're using tubed tires, it's impossible to eliminate them. The best form of offense is prevention rather than cure. But make sure you know how to fix a puncture before riding, and always keep your inner tube, tire lever, patch, and pump with you.