Type of tire for comfort/distance?
Posted by Little_Shauna86@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 4 comments
Hi guys. Just doing some research before I commit to buying something.
I'm learning to drive, but I thought it might be a good idea to buy an E-Bike. I work nights, so on my nights off, I plan to ride around for a good 30 miles and get used to all the roads while it's quiet.
Any advice on what type of tires I should be looking at? Size vs thickness, etc. Some people are saying smaller and thinner tires are best for roads and will use less battery. But some people are saying bigger and wider tires are best for comfort and safety, regarding potholes in the road.
Little_Shauna86@reddit (OP)
Okay, thanks all. I'm pretty sure i know what's best for what I want.
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
Fat tires are not necessarily safer. They are heavier and harder to maneuver. Most fat tire bikes are insanely heavy which will increase braking distance. In addition to draining your battery. If you are on pavement, you can get by with something as narrow as 2.0". If you want a bit more cushion and stability, you could go as wide as 2.6". I think the drag, noise, weight, and lack of steering feel outweigh the benefits of going larger than that. For a softer ride, you can run lower pressure (20-25lbs). Potholes should be avoided regardless. A quality front fork will go a long way to smoothing out bumps.
For mostly riding on pavement, something like a 27.5"x2.2" is ideal. There are of course exceptions to this. See the below video which explains why Fat Tire bikes suck in general and the limited scenarios where you might want one.
The Truth about FAT Tire Ebikes: Sidestep the Bullsh💩
IDK_EBIKEs@reddit
I agree with the313andme. My wife has skinny tires on her main ebike but prefers the fat tires on our spare ebike. I prefer the fat tires for street use and offroad. I have the 26", 4" thick tires. They work great on the street. If there is gravel on the road the fat tires do not mind.
the313andme@reddit
Fat tire bikes get a lot of hate in this sub, but if you are using the bike as your main method of transportation and putting serious miles on it, they really are the safest option. I've flatted out the rear tire on my ebike with regular tires (2700 miles) probably 4-5 times when hitting deep cracks/curbs, but it's never happened to my fat tire bike (4000 miles).
Contrary to what some folks in this sub say, you actually can pedal the fat tire bikes, but you definitely don't want to take the battery down to zero, which I've never done on either bike and really shouldn't be much risk.