eBike Tires: Everything You Need to Know [Pressure to Flats]

Tires are important. They might even be the single most important part of any vehicle.

Without tires, our vehicles wouldn’t perform nearly as well as they do. In fact, the entire design of the vehicles we know today would be different if it weren’t for tires.

Tires are to thank for not only the performance of our vehicles and safety as well. That’s why we must take the time to pick out the right set and learn how to maintain them.

This is true for tires used on any vehicle. That includes eBikes.

If you don’t know much about the tires on your eBike, there’s a good chance you won’t know the strengths and limitations of your bike. Without that information, you’re bound to run into trouble, and that’s the last thing you want to happen on a hunt.

That’s why we’re going to take the time to give you a crash course on eBike tires. This is a general guide, and we will at least get you in the right ballpark when it comes to choosing, maintaining, and repairing your eBike tires.  

Do eBikes need special tires?

The most important thing to know is that you need the right tire on your eBike. Otherwise, you will run into all kinds of issues while you ride. The first thing you’re bound to question is whether or not an eBike needs a special tire during your selection.

If you’re talking from a legal standpoint, your eBike may not need special tires. Depending on the size and designated use of an eBike—always check with local laws to be sure—you might not be required to run special tires on your eBike.

Special tires for eBikes do exist for a reason, though. These tires are designed to support the additional weight and withstand the high forces an eBike is capable of producing. Even if they look like any other bike tire, those differences separate eBike tires from the pack.

Now, there is an argument to be had in favor of running regular bicycle tires on eBikes. While there are weight differences between eBikes and bicycles, the differences in rider weight can offset them. Furthermore, professional riders can pedal bikes to achieve similar speeds to that of an eBike.

However, heavy cyclists often invest in bikes that can withstand the additional weight, and it’s not like a professional rider rides on just any bicycle tire. So, you still need to put in some time to figure out exactly what bicycle tire would work for your eBike. Simply picking up a tire designed for the platform will cut out plenty of that homework for you.

Are there different speed ratings for eBike tires?

Yes and no. For the most part, eBike tire manufacturers don’t place a speed rating on their tires. Some do, though.

You might think it’s necessary to go with a tire that has a speed rating attached to it, but it’s not something to go insane over.

Take Schwable tires as an example. These aren’t attached to speed ratings. But because they are designed specifically for eBikes, you don’t have to wonder whether or not they are compatible with the platform, and you can assume it’s likely going to be just fine on yours. A customer service rep can confirm that for you if you are feeling skeptical.

If the manufacturer does put a speed rating on the tire, you want to make sure it matches the speeds your bike can achieve, though. That’s especially true if you ride at speeds that are greater than that speed rating for an extended period.

Do you have to balance electric bicycle tires?

You don’t have to worry about balancing eBike tires for hunting. Balancing bicycle or eBike tires is only a concern for platforms that exceed 55 miles per hour. 

With aneBike for hunting, you’re not likely to see this kind of speed, even if the bike is capable of doing so. However, most eBikes for this purpose are built more for overcoming terrain rather than hitting high max speeds and will typically top out around 30 miles per hour or so. 

Can I put fat tires on any eBike?

Fat tires are desirable for their off-road performance. The wider contact patch offers much better traction, and the tires act more like a shock absorber, helping them be much more comfortable to ride on. Those two factors make them ideal for hunting, and it’s no wonder one would want them on any bike possible.

The reality is that it’s not something you can add to just any bike, though. Fat tires are much wider than a traditional eBike tire. So much so that a bike needs to be designed specifically to accept them. So while you may be able to add wider tires to a regular eBike, you won’t be able to fit a true fat tire to it.

Can you ride a fat tire bike on the pavement?

Yes, you can ride a fat tire bike on pavement. Fat tire eBikes are great for any riding scenario. They provide maximum comfort and traction, and many riders are beginning to use them on any medium, including pavement. The additional size of the tire might not be necessary, but it does provide a pleasant riding experience in any situation.

Are fat tires harder to ride?

Fat tires are larger than regular tires, and they do require more effort to get moving. Therefore they are harder to ride on a normal bicycle. We aren’t talking about normal bikes, though. We’re talking about eBikes.

The wonderful thing about most eBikes for hunting is that they typically feature motor-powered acceleration and pedal assist. With pedal assist engaged, you may never feel any of the drawbacks of riding with fat tires.

What pressure should I ride off-road?

eBike tires are to be filled with surprisingly high tire pressure. You may have heard that some road tires are designed for around 130 PSI, which is far greater than any truck or ATV tire you’ve ever come across.

The chances are low that your tires are going to require that kind of pressure, though. eBikes for hunting will generally use an E-mountain bike tire which will likely require 25-35 PSI. 

If that is the case for your platform, you will want to run whatever manufacturer's pressure. That pressure is in place with the rough terrain already in consideration, and you won’t need to lower them like you would on your truck.

Can I repair my eBike tires in the woods? 

We’ve only talked about proper tire selection so far, and you might wonder about maintenance and repairs. Bicycle tire repairs are nothing major, and you’ve probably been doing them your whole life.

You’ve performed them in your garage or at least close to a toolbox, though. Unfortunately, you won’t have that luxury in the woods, and there’s a good chance that a sharp rock or other debris will leave you with a flat. So, what do you do?

The easiest thing to do is patch the hole if you can. So long as it’s a reasonably small puncture, you shouldn’t have much of an issue.

If you have a tubeless tire, patching is relatively simple. You don’t need to dismount the tire. Simply use a tire puncture repair kit to insert the patch and fill the tire back up. You should further inspect your repair when you return home, but it won’t take much to get you out of the woods.

If you are dealing with an inner tube, you do need to dismount the tire. Thankfully, that is achievable with relatively small tire dismounting/mounting tools that you can easily carry in any pack, along with a few basic hand tools.

Inner tube punctures can be repaired with simple patch kits as well. However, we do recommend keeping a spare inner tube with you at all times, as that’s the best way to ensure you can mobilize yourself in extreme cases where a puncture or tear is too large to fix.

Exactly what tools you will need does depend on the bike. However, replacing or repairing a tube will require little more than dismounting tools, a couple of wrenches, a patch kit and/or spare inner tube, and a bicycle pump.

If you plan on toting these with you in the woods, we recommend investing in the most compact options. These will ensure the extra weight won’t be bothersome, and you can easily keep them insaddlebags or other storage solutions your eBike has to offer.

Do all eBike tires use tubes?

Not all ebikes feature inner tubes. That’s why we highlight tire repairs for tubeless tires as well. To find whether or not your eBike has an inner tube, you need to double-check the specifics of your existing tires. We strongly recommend that you do as you can find out precisely what you’ll need to keep with you in case you run into a flat tire. 

How long do electric bike tires last?

How long your eBike tires last is dependent on a few factors—rider weight, terrain, vehicle weight, and riding habits all impact the life of your tires. Still, the average lifespan of e-bike tires is about 1,000 to 3,000 miles.

As with any vehicle, the tires on your eBike are one of the most essential components. However, as much as we’ve covered here, it’s only a general guide. There’s still a lot more to understand about your specific eBike tires.

We suggest you take the time and do the homework on your platform. Knowing what kind of tires you have will reveal the exact terrain the tires are meant for, what pressure is required, and the repair process for those tires. All of that information will help you get the best possible experience from your hunting eBike.