So I ordered a rear hub motor from eBikes.ca... awaiting shipment (it entered the USA on the 15th, but I'm in MI, and WA where it probably entered the USA is a ways off). I figure it will be here any day now... and have been thinking about tires/tubes.

I have three options:

1) use existing tire (Raleigh Detour 3 - Kenda K-192 w/Kshield 700x40c) & tube

2) Get same brand of tube/tire and mount those on the rim

3) Forum suggestions??


At the very least, since the Kenda is inexpensive, I'm inclined to go with #2... but I'll be carrying approx:

9.9lb - battery
2.65lb - battery case
15lb - Motor - 407 crystalyte
2.75lb - rack (is this too heavy?)
70lb of rider weight (140/2)

I might revisit the battery case to try using something lighter, or maybe move it up front if I were to get a front rack. I'm not too sure if I am pushing too much weight on the rear.

Any suggestions, etc... are appreciated.

If it were me I would probably use the existing tire.

In general, 40mm wide kenda tires should be able to handle the stress of carrying a lot more than you'll be putting on that tire. The fat tire will also provide some shock absorption for your rim and make it very unlikely that you will bottom out your rim as long as you keep the pressure up to 40psi or more. (go over 70psi and i will take back what I said about shock absorption :) )

If you are quite good at balancing a bike, you'll be fine with the rear weight-bias (battery & motor on rear). If you aren't, you may find that the bike feels wobbly and like it wants to flip itself over.

It's a fairly large amount of weight on your rear rim, and the best way to be sure that's not a problem for the rim is to make sure all of the spokes have enough tension. Have someone that knows what they're doing check the spokes for having even tension, and tighten the loose ones without throwing the wheel out of true.

Should I mount the tube/tire before I have someone check it over?

I think I'll be OK with the rear weight as long as it is OK for the tire! I'm mainly concerned about too much weight for the tire.

properly inflated, a 700 * 40c tire can handle a 350 pound rider with no problem. Have no worries.

I ride my bike almost 50 kms a day to work. That's a thousand kliks a month or more. I'm rolling with Specialized Armadillos (http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/reviews/review.phtml/2192/3216/specialized-armadillo-tyres-cycling-puncture.phtml) on the rear. You don't want a rear flat...ever! I've tried the Michelin City and I got a flat the first week.

The poster who talked about tire inflation and pinch flats has a point too. Really good tires can stand up to 90 psi. Under-inflation can be big trouble! On the other hand, some people like a softer ride....