What Is The Most Common eBike Problem? This Is Crucial To Know!

The most common problem with an eBike is the tire pressure! You might have thought otherwise, but this is the most common problem with eBikes. Read on to find out how you can prevent this and useful tips for tire pressure for your eBike.

The most common problem with e-bikes? The tire pressure!

With a regular bicycle, you will instantly notice tires that are too soft. With an e-bike, it’s often a bit harder. The support compensates for the extra resistance of tires that are to soft, so it stays unnoticed, but it does put a strain on your battery and therefore your range also suffers. With 15 psi (one bar) too less you get 10 miles (15 kilometers) less far.

Your chain and sprockets are also unnecessarily heavily loaded and therefore wear much faster. This often happens because we don’t shift often with an e-bike. And your tires themselves? They also wear faster, especially the sidewalls of the tire. More importantly, soft tires affect safe riding with your e-bike, especially when cornering. 

And with heavy loads, there is also a greater chance of a flat tire. Enough reasons to check your tire pressure every month and certainly before every longer trip. You do this with a floor pump with pressure gauge or with a separate tension gauge.

What is the right tire pressure for your e-bike?

The minimum and maximum pressure are indicated on the side of bicycle tires. Within that you can ‘play’ with the tire pressure that you find most comfortable. In general, the narrower the tire, the more pressure. Most e-bike tires are approximately 1,3” (3.5 centimeters) wide and require a pressure of 60 to 83 psi (4 to 5.5 bar). If you are a bit heavier or heavily loaded, go towards 83 psi (5.5 bar). You can have 7 psi (0,5 bar) more pressure in your rear tire than in your front tire. Is the road slippery because of rain or snow? Then lower your ideal tire pressure by 7 psi (0,5 bar).  

How do you notice a tire pressure that is too high?

Do you feel every bump while cycling? Do you have the feeling that your e-bike ‘bounces’ and thus gives less driving control? Chances are your tires are overinflated. This also results in less grip in wet weather. At your local bicycle shop you can buy a small digital pressure gauge with which you can check this quickly, even on the road.

Does the surface determine the tire pressure?

Yes, especially for your cycling comfort but also for your safety. Therefore, lower your tires by about 7 psi (0,5 bar) on bumpy roads. That gives extra comfort and a better grip.

Check your tires regularly

The rear tire wears out faster than your front tire, due to the higher weight that rests on it. Check tire wear regularly. Many tires have a wear indicator. If you often ride with tires that are too soft, the sidewalls will wear out even sooner than the profile. Also check the reflective stripes on the tires, so that you know that you are clearly visible and stay in the dark. 

PSI or bar?

Do you want the tire pressure in bar instead of psi? 1 psi = 0.0689 bar and 1 bar = 14.5038 psi.