Bicycles have been more popular as a mode of urban mobility in recent years. More individuals are starting to envision the future, and others are living it now. The future has only been clearer with the development of electric bikes, which alleviate the majority of the difficulties associated with regular bikes. Thanks to technological advancements, your two-wheeled vehicle can perform significantly more than it would otherwise. The convenience and comfort that electric bikes provide are unrivalled.
An electric bike wheel can help you maintain your pace on the flats while also providing the extra push you need to climb any hills along the way. The one component that races along roads, harsh terrains; deals with the breaks and surface friction. Some electric bikes have indicators to help riders identify when the wheel needs replacement. It is wise to get a professional opinion from the bike shop to assess your wheel health to see when it needs a replacement or upgrades.
Electric Bike Tire Type
The electric bike wheel goes with a tire. Therefore, it is critical to understand the type of tire your e-bike is using and find a compatible wheel. You need to learn about the type of electric bike wheel before searching for the brands that best meet your needs.
Road Tire
These are your regular tires used in bikes built for paved paths and asphalt/ cement roads. They are thin, with a width of 23 mm – 25 mm, lightweight, and easy to maneuver. Riders prefer these for their ease of use. On the flip side, they are not good companions on wet roads because they get slippery.
Cyclocross Tire
It is a sturdier tire and holds itself better on muddy and murky surfaces. The wider tires (30mm – 33mm) and tiny spikes on an otherwise nearly flat tire surface allow for more traction and better grip.
Commuting Bike Tire
These are the tires made to suit daily commute riders. Their tire width lies between 28mm – 42 mm, and they bear tread patterns to match all weather conditions. The wider tires hold more air, which translates into a more comfortable ride.
Mountain Bike Tire
It is a tire designed for rugged use on rough patches and harsh surfaces. These are wider, fat tires and come with aggressive tread to gain traction on such surfaces. Some manufacturers use natural rubber instead of the synthetic variant to allow for better grip.
BMX Tire
These are tires specially designed for professional, typically cross-country cycling competitions. Tire size and standards vary for different BMX competitions, but generally, these are 20 inches wide.
Wheel Size
Size plays an important in the quality of ride an electric bike offers. Critical aspects such as smooth ride, ease of movement, and degree of rolling depend on the wheel. Your electric bike wheel has to be compatible with the tire. Electric bike wheels are available in a variety of sizes. The sizes of the wheels range from 12 inches in diameter to 29 inches in diameter. Learn below about some of the typical electric bike wheel sizes.
16-inch
Typically used on folding bikes, these smaller wheels reduce the overall weight, making them more compact. They find their use in short-distance urban commute vehicles. Since they are small in size, they need higher gear to turn the wheels. Therefore, they do not perform very well around obstacles.
20-inch
These too are found on folding bikes, though 20-inch wheels are more common than the 16-inch. These are typically used for the BMX tires and offer a better ride than the 16-inch ones.
26-inch
The most popular electric bike wheel, used for all kinds of cycles, ranging from road bikes to the more aggressive mountain bikes. These are wider, usually fatter, and therefore offer a more comfortable ride on bumpy roads.
29-inch
29″ electric bike wheels are perfect for riders who want the smoothest ride possible on tough trails and who like to go fast. 29 inches electric bike wheels roll over hindrances more effectively and sustain more momentum than 27 or 26 inches wheels. Taller riders will benefit from the bigger wheel size, but they also provide several benefits to cyclists of medium height.
Thin Tire or Fat Tire
Thin Tire Pros
- Thin tires are less expensive than fat tires since they are produced in bigger quantities due to their preferred size profile. Skinny tires are also less expensive since they are constructed of less rubber, which means that storage, packaging, and delivery (if bought online) are all less expensive.
- On your everyday drive, thin tires are more efficient and easy to handle. Because they are lighter, they have less traction when riding on hard surfaces. As a result, you can travel further while conserving energy.
- Thin tires on e-bikes will allow the user to move at faster speeds since they have less air resistance. This implies that when you ride, the thinner the tire is, the simpler it is to cut through the air.
- Because heavy-duty components aren’t utilized to support the thin tires, the bike’s overall weight is reduced.
- Thin tires are less likely to be damaged throughout your everyday journey.
Thin Tire Cons
- Because there is less side grip when leaning the bike for a quick sharp turn, thin tires are not optimal for lean angles and high-speed cornering.
- When riding on uneven ground, thin tires might cause the rider to lose their balance. If your electric bike becomes stuck in a ditch, you must ride your way out to continue on your journey.
- Thin tires aren’t designed for trail riding or off-roading, and they can result in less force while traveling over rough terrain.
Fat Tire Pros
- Electric bikes with fat tires are proved to have better traction on all terrains, including while cornering. This allows you to attack those turns at high speeds while remaining balanced. The lean angles are larger, and the e-overall bike’s maneuverability has increased.
- You can afford to over-torque your hub motors and let them churn out whatever they can with fat tires. You can cover more ground, and you can feel comfortable that the electric bike will stay steady as you accelerate.
- Because there is no potential slippage or the risk of losing your balance and falling when utilizing Fat tires, you may break harder.
Fat Tire Cons
- Fat tires are more expensive since they are produced to order and might be seasonal. The major reason for the higher price is that more rubber is utilized, and it is not readily available everywhere.
- The overall weight of the electric bike is increased by fat tires, making it heavier than typical e-bikes with thin tires. When riding over difficult terrain, the suspension must be strong and large enough to withstand the Fat tires.
- Because the tire’s mass is large, there is more rolling resistance, which means more power is required and used for acceleration
Other Considerations
Brakes
Because of the extra weight and speed of an electric bike, hydraulic disc brakes provide the best stopping capability in all-weather situations. They are standard equipment on most electric bikes.
Hydraulic rim brakes are used in electric bikes since they need the least amount of maintenance (large service intervals) while still providing excellent stopping force, albeit less than disc brakes.
Axel
The through-axles are tougher, stronger, and hence heavier than fast release axles. For most users, the fast release has no significant drawbacks, but for high-performance users, particularly mountain bikers, the failure rate rises owing to the additional strains imposed by disc brakes and suspension forks; for these clients, the through axle offers the best value proposition.
Tube Tire or Tube-less Tire
Tubeless tires provide higher grip, making it easier to corner and climb. Tubeless tires may be run at a lower air pressure than tubed tires since they don’t have to worry about pinch flats. It’s usually okay to go down approximately 10 psi. Because the pressure is lower, more of the tire’s tread makes touch with the ground. The traction is substantially improved as a result of this.
Conclusion
You’ll be able to get a mental picture of the sort of functionality you desire in your electric bike as soon as you figure out these crucial points. This will undoubtedly simplify the choosing process and bring you closer to picking just the greatest electric bike wheels options.
Overall, when considering purchasing an electric bike wheel, you should examine the terrain in which you will frequently ride your electric bike, as well as the tire size. The tire with a lower size is lighter, but it is more difficult to travel on bumpy roads. On the other side, a larger tire may be used more extensively, but it is more difficult to speed and move. As a result, the appropriate electric bike wheel for you is determined by your specific requirements. It is advisable to consider carefully before purchasing a new electric bike wheel since the bike is not a cheap item.
