Which tires for e-bikes?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 302
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From: McCall Idaho
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Salsa Fargo, TREK DS
Which tires for e-bikes?
I have been riding my e-bike for about a year on Schwalbe G1 Tires. Am now moving from an area with a lot of dirt, gravel and sandy roads to mostly cement and asphalt roads. While I have been riding pretty slowly (16-18mph), I expect that will pick up. Any suggestions on the tires I need to consider? Currently running 700c wheels with 38mm tires.
#2
Geeze, don't those wear fast on an e-bike? I like my G1 tires, but haven't put them on a powered bike.
Maybe its because of the slower speeds? Those tires are great on road to light gravel. Super efficient.
They are great tires, but at higher speeds you might want something that wears better? I have some Serfas Drifters that are a decent slick-ish ebike tire. Schwalbe and Conti make some e-bike rated tires, but doesn't sound like you are anywhere near needing a speed rated tire.
Anything that is long wearing and has good puncture protection would work. In the summer I use 32mm continental gatorskins, but you probably want something a little bigger (I would go as big as your frame allows).
This site rates tires for rolling resistance and puncture resistance. Look at the touring/ebike tire list. Rolling resistance doesn't make too much difference on an ebike (although you will find nothing to beat a G1)
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews
Maybe its because of the slower speeds? Those tires are great on road to light gravel. Super efficient.
They are great tires, but at higher speeds you might want something that wears better? I have some Serfas Drifters that are a decent slick-ish ebike tire. Schwalbe and Conti make some e-bike rated tires, but doesn't sound like you are anywhere near needing a speed rated tire.
Anything that is long wearing and has good puncture protection would work. In the summer I use 32mm continental gatorskins, but you probably want something a little bigger (I would go as big as your frame allows).
This site rates tires for rolling resistance and puncture resistance. Look at the touring/ebike tire list. Rolling resistance doesn't make too much difference on an ebike (although you will find nothing to beat a G1)
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 11
From: Puget Sound
Bikes: 2007 Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 (bionx), 2015 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
I've been using specialized armadillo and schwalbe marathon plus. They work the same on my ebike as they did when my bike was not an ebike.
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5,058
Likes: 1,283
From: socal
Bikes: DIY
Marathon Plus for me too, but I ride this particular bike (30+ mph capability) on road or relatively smooth dirt. Primarily interested in puncture resistance on the rear hub powered bike. So far, so good (2+ years).
#7
Full Member

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 479
Likes: 35
FYI, another one is Schwalbe’s Energizer Plus (similar to Marathon).
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...izer-plus-2015
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...izer-plus-2015
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GrooveRider
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09-30-11 03:58 PM





