How to check the tire pressure of an electric bicycle?
The electric bicycle in its various forms is a means of travel increasingly used in cities and a real ally in urban mobility. Like other types of vehicles, they must be regularly maintained. Regular maintenance of an electric bicycle is even more important because this type of vehicle is more expensive and more delicate than a conventional bicycle.
This daily care involves checking and maintaining the various components of the bike. Among these are the tires, which are essential for the proper functioning of the bike and the safety of the rider. Find out how to check the tire pressure of an EAB.
What to check the pressure of an EAB tire with?
To check the pressure of the tires of an electric bicycle, it is advisable to use the adapted equipment. There are a variety of tools and technologies available on the market to help you do this.
The pressure gauge or pressure controller
The pressure gauge is the tool of choice for checking the air level in an electric bicycle tire. The device usually consists of a dial or digital display that indicates the pressure. It also has a sensor that is connected to the tire and measures the pressure, then converts it into an electrical signal that can be read by the display.
Pumps
Pumps are used to inflate tires, but can also be used to check their air level. Newer models are usually equipped with a built-in pressure gauge, which allows you to inflate and check the pressure at the same time. For safety checks, a foot pump or floor pump with a built-in pressure gauge can be used.
How often should I check my EAB tire pressure?
Checking the tire pressure of an EAB is a safety measure that should be observed as often as possible.
Indeed, as with all tube tires, electric bicycle tires lose pressure with use. Therefore, their air level must be checked regularly. Ideally, this should be done before each ride or use of the bike. However, if you don't use the bike often, a weekly check is recommended.
What is the right pressure for an EAB tire?
To choose the right pressure for an EAB tire, you need to take into account several parameters, ranging from the type of tire to the type of bike, as well as the manufacturer's technical specifications and other elements.
Consider the type of bike
E-bike tires are designed to meet the specific needs of the bike and its user. As many e-bikes as there are e-bikes, there are different usage requirements, tire types and pressure needs.
Optimal pressure for electric road bike tires
The tires on an electric road bike have the same air pressure requirements as those on a muscle or conventional bike. However, for this type of machine, you can increase the pressure by a few tenths of a bar, or 0.1 bar per kilogram, to compensate for the extra weight of the bike's battery.
Optimal Tire Pressure for Electric Mountain Bikes
Electric mountain bike tires are generally subject to extreme stress. With this type of bike, the violence of the starts and changes of pace make the tires wear out more quickly. There is also a high risk of punctures due to pinching of the inner tube.
The golden rule for protecting electric mountain bike tires is therefore not to ride under-inflated. To do so, it is recommended to inflate them within a pressure range of 1.2 to 2.6 bars depending on the terrain and the user's riding style.
Optimal pressure for electric city bike tires
The recommended pressure range for inflating city bike tires is between 3 and 6 bars, depending on the tire's cross-section. This range allows you to meet the constraints of city bike use and the specific road use of this type of bike.
Take into account the type of tire
From one electric bicycle to another, there are different types of tires with different characteristics. The main points that differentiate them are the size, the section, i.e. the width of the inflated tire, the level of adhesion, the manufacturer, etc.
Some models require high pressures, while others, such as tubeless tires, are more suitable for low pressures. The wider a tire is, the less pressure it needs. Thus, narrow city bike tires need high pressure to ride on the road without getting a flat. Wider, sturdier tires typically found on mountain bikes require lower pressure.
Read the tire information
To help cyclists inflate their tires to the optimal pressure, manufacturers include all the necessary information on the sidewall of the tire. This information includes the tire size and the required pressure indicated in BARS or Pounds per Square Inch (PSI). This information represents the maximum pressure that should not be exceeded for safety reasons.
Adapting the pressure to the driver's weight
The inflation of an EAB tire is customizable, i.e. adaptable to the needs and physical characteristics of the cyclist. To inflate the tire to the optimal pressure, it is recommended to use the low range indicated by the manufacturer when the rider weighs less than 75 kg. On the other hand, if the rider's weight exceeds 75 kg or if he or she is required to carry heavy loads, a high pressure is more appropriate.
Take into account the position of the cyclist
Still in the dynamics of customizing the pressure of the tires of the EAB, we can take into account the position of the cyclist on the machine during the practice.
Indeed, not all cyclists have the same posture on a bike. Moreover, bicycles sometimes impose a posture to the driver. For example, on an electric mountain bike, the weight is ideally distributed over the two tires of the bike.
On an electric city bike, however, this is not always the case. With this type of bike, the tire usually carries 2/3 of the rider's weight and battery on the rear wheel. Therefore, the air pressure in the rear tire should be slightly higher than the front tire.
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