Prevent flat tyre: 5 things that really help
OnTheRoad3 min reading time
Again and again a flat tire to your e-bike? In most cases this is preventable. Tyre tension is by far the most important factor, followed by the choice of your tyre. Below are the five measures that our mechanics see working daily, and why a leak sometimes just keeps coming back.
In brief
- Too soft band = cause number one. Monthly pumping.
- An unluck-resistant tyre (Big Ben Plus) is much less rapid.
- After each leak remove the shard or staple from the tyre, otherwise it will leak again.
- Replace worn tread on time, do not stick.
- See the step-by-step replacement guide.
The five measures
1. Tape to tension, the number-one cause
An underinflated tyre folds over bumps, which can make the rim pinch the inner tube (a “snakebite”: two holes next to each other). Top up the pressure monthly, even if everything seems fine. E-bikes are heavier than ordinary bikes and lose pressure faster. The correct pressure is printed on the tyre sidewall, usually 3.5–5 bar for city e-bikes.
2. Mounting an unluck-resistant tyre
Standard tyres are thin to drive light; an tyre with a leak resistant layer (such as the Schwalbe Big Ben Plus) doesn't prick through glass or a staple so quickly. More expensive on purchase, but on Amsterdam streets with glass and sprinkled gravel he often earns himself back within a few times.
3. Remove sharp edges after each leak
Mounting a new inner tube without removing the cause is the classic mistake: the shard or staple stays in the tyre and punctures the next tyre again within a few days. After a leak, always feel with your fingers (be careful) along the inside of the tyre.
4. Recognize wear on time
An tyre that is worn up to the fabric (canvas) or shows cracks in the rubber, doesn't stop anything. Look at the tread every few months, the profile is gone or you see wires, then replacement is cheaper than sticking.
5. Route and location of stables
Glass shards are often located along the curb and near catering terraces; a meter further drive really saves. Do not turn the bike outside against a moat for weeks, rain and dirt leave rubber harden and crack faster.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prevent a flat tire on my e-bike?
Keeping the tyre on the right tension is by far the most important measure, a too soft tyre is the most common cause of a leak. In addition, a puncture-resistant tyre (e.g. Schwalbe Big Ben Plus), removing sharp edges from the tyre after each leak, and replacing worn tires on time.
Which band doesn't leak on an e-bike as quickly as possible?
Tapes with a leak resistant layer under the tread, such as the Schwalbe Big Ben Plus, are much less likely to pierce through glass or a staple than a standard tyre. They are slightly heavier and more expensive, but often worth the investment on Amsterdam streets.
How many times do I have to check my e-bike tapes?
Tyre pressure: monthly re-pumps, e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes and lose faster pressure. Wear: every few months a look at the tread, the profile is gone or you see the fabric, then replacement is the order.
Why do I keep getting a flat tire in the same place?
Almost always because the cause of the previous leak (a shard of glass, a staple) is still in the tyre. When replacing the inner tube you have to feel your fingers along the inside of the tyre, otherwise the same shard will puncture the new tire again within a few days.
How much does it cost to install a puncture-resistant tyre?
At your home in Amsterdam with OnTheRoad: €45,00 per tyre (Schwalbe Big Ben Plus), including fitting, travel and VAT. Replacing a standard inner tube costs €60,00 in total (€45,00 service visit + €15,00 inner tube).
Ready to book?
Still have a puncture, or want to switch to a puncture-resistant tyre? We come to your home in Amsterdam. Inner tube replacement: €60,00 total. Schwalbe Big Ben Plus: €45,00 per tyre, including travel and fitting. All prices are in the cost guide.