Best Ebikes and Tires (width) for roads and light trails?

Cmulv

Member
Update! Really think of 3.2 inch tire , by 27.5 in, would be great for e-bikes. You would get great cushion and suspension. Still maneuverable, and wouldn't even notice the difference in effort from like 2 in. Anyway 2.8 to 3. 4 that's going to be the new sweet spot for e-bikes


From what I've seen the Schwalbe G one 2.8 in looks like a great a bike tire
If you want more durability the Schwalbe Super Moto 2.8 in would also be great
Anyone know other tires, with great Road treads, and light rail? 3 inch? 3.2 in?
And what bikes will they fit on ?


I'm looking at the flx trail. Checks a lot of boxes. Lightweight. Mid Drive motor. Integrated lights. Rack. I think it has 3in Tire clearance?

Anyway I feel a lot of e-bikes are too heavy and they either are fat tire or restricted at about 2 to 2.5 in

Would really like to find a fairly light e-bike that can take 3 maybe even 3.2 inch tires

What do you guys think?

Also, After riding a hub Drive motor for a while kind of leaning towards a mid drive for my next bike. I like the Hub Drive is simple. And it doesn't need to engage the chain.

Maybe a hub drive would work if it was fairly light and the bike could take 3in tires. But honestly I think the mid drive just gives you a better balanced experience, although I've never rode one so I don't know about any other cons such as if it's gets annoying the way it engages the chain

All right, thanks. Looking forward to hear some other people's feedback especially if there are any good 3in roadworthy bicycle tires or if the Schwalbe 2.8 inch you're probably the best so far
 
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From what I've seen the Schwalbe G one 2.8 in looks like a great a bike tire
If you want more durability the Schwalbe Super Moto 2.8 in would also be great
Anyone know other tires, with great Road treads, and light rail? 3 inch? 3.2 in?
And what bikes will they fit on ?


I'm looking at the flx trail. Checks a lot of boxes. Lightweight. Mid Drive motor. Integrated lights. Rack. I think it has 3in Tire clearance?

Anyway I feel a lot of e-bikes are too heavy and they either are fat tire or restricted at about 2 to 2.5 in

Would really like to find a fairly light e-bike that can take 3 maybe even 3.2 inch tires

What do you guys think?

Also, After riding a hub Drive motor for a while kind of leaning towards a mid drive for my next bike. I like the Hub Drive is simple. And it doesn't need to engage the chain.

Maybe a hub drive would work if it was fairly light and the bike could take 3in tires. But honestly I think the mid drive just gives you a better balanced experience, although I've never rode one so I don't know about any other cons such as if it's gets annoying the way it engages the chain

All right, thanks. Looking forward to hear some other people's feedback especially if there are any good 3in roadworthy bicycle tires or if the Schwalbe 2.8 inch you're probably the best so far
There is tire called Johnny Watts, it is a hybrid tire, meant for both road and trail, have a look at that one.
 
From what I've seen the Schwalbe G one 2.8 in looks like a great a bike tire
If you want more durability the Schwalbe Super Moto 2.8 in would also be great
Anyone know other tires, with great Road treads, and light rail? 3 inch? 3.2 in?
And what bikes will they fit on ?


I'm looking at the flx trail. Checks a lot of boxes. Lightweight. Mid Drive motor. Integrated lights. Rack. I think it has 3in Tire clearance?

Anyway I feel a lot of e-bikes are too heavy and they either are fat tire or restricted at about 2 to 2.5 in

Would really like to find a fairly light e-bike that can take 3 maybe even 3.2 inch tires

What do you guys think?

Also, After riding a hub Drive motor for a while kind of leaning towards a mid drive for my next bike. I like the Hub Drive is simple. And it doesn't need to engage the chain.

Maybe a hub drive would work if it was fairly light and the bike could take 3in tires. But honestly I think the mid drive just gives you a better balanced experience, although I've never rode one so I don't know about any other cons such as if it's gets annoying the way it engages the chain

All right, thanks. Looking forward to hear some other people's feedback especially if there are any good 3in roadworthy bicycle tires or if the Schwalbe 2.8 inch you're probably the best so far
Johnny Watts will be my next tire. I currently have the G one's in 29' X 2.25". The G one's roll great on pavement and are quiet. They are okay on wet pavement but you hit the slightest amount of peanut butter mud on the trail or wet leaves and hang on. They are rock solid on hardpack trails but sketchy on loose gravel. They are prone to punctures if inflated to high. I have a couple thousand miles on them. They will go about 1.500 more.
 
I converted my 26" city bike from 26x2 Marathons (stiff!) to 26x2.4 Super Moto-X and love them! My priorities are are about ride and rolling resistance, with the ability to do a little off road. Super Mot-X seems to have done the job for me!

Currently shopping for 27.5" wheels to convert a 26x4 bike. Looking for a rim width of 36-40mm to allow the newer "mid" size tires (2.4"-3").
 

Those look very much like the Kendas that came stock on my bike. 5600 km, no flats, and still looking good. I find them not so great for traction on grassy slopes and snow, but superb in the city if roads are clear. I bought a new pair from Rize but they are not exactly the same. I'll try them when my old Kendas wear out..maybe next year. I think I could get 10,000 km. from them.
 
Very Fat tires are over rated, imo. A 38-50mm tire is plenty for all conditions except sand. Modern tires (clinchers) are much more rounded profile so you don't need them that wide to get the performance. Also larger tires are heavy.

Check out Panaracer too. I run this in the front:

Gravel King SK 700 x 32 cm Folding Tire​

and a

https://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-512-139-rambler

In the back because it is what came with the bike. When I am done with it I will move to a 40-45 mm Panaracer. I ride 5 miles of trail and 15 of chip seal about 5x a week. The 50 mm maxis is only really needed in the winter and mud. Summer spring fall I will run slicks.
 
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I converted my 26" city bike from 26x2 Marathons (stiff!) to 26x2.4 Super Moto-X and love them! My priorities are are about ride and rolling resistance, with the ability to do a little off road. Super Mot-X seems to have done the job for me!

Currently shopping for 27.5" wheels to convert a 26x4 bike. Looking for a rim width of 36-40mm to allow the newer "mid" size tires (2.4"-3").
Take a look at the Schwalbe Hurricane 27.5 x2.4. I have about 1000 miles on mine, came from a nobby nic , Hurricanes are silent.
 
Take a look at the Schwalbe Hurricane 27.5 x2.4. I have about 1000 miles on mine, came from a nobby nic , Hurricanes are silent.
Cool thanks, I think the tire industry is going to catch up two e bikes. And start making 2.8 to 3.2 in tires. Looking to get cushion and suspension from my tires, the roads are rough, and I think tires can give you a better suspension often than Forks and shocks. I think the sweet spot for e-bikes is right around 3 in, still maneuverable, good cushion, and no noticeable effort difference with an e-bike. Maybe even 3.4. Probably any more would get in the way of the steering???
 
The JW looks to be a great tire, but I've heard it can't be run tubeless. Is this true?
If it is true and someone wants to run tubeless the Continental Ruban is a good alternative. Looks to be very similar to the JW and is tubeless ready.

 
The JW looks to be a great tire, but I've heard it can't be run tubeless. Is this true?
If it is true and someone wants to run tubeless the Continental Ruban is a good alternative. Looks to be very similar to the JW and is tubeless ready.

SCHWALBE JOHNNY WATTS PERFORMANCE DD RACEGUARD TUBELESS MTB TYRE - BLACK​

 
A lot of discussion about Johnny Watts over here.

I run them 27.5 x 2.6" on my Hardtail Fathom, and I love 'em. I ride both trails and pavement, and when it's reasonably dry on the trails, they are fine.
I did have some mud issues, but I think my Maxxis Forekasters would likely have clogged up as well.

As far as tubeless goes - I keep hearing conflicting stories, but as I intend to swap them out for the Maxxis knobbies when I go riding serious trails, I don't want the mess quite yet.
I also run studded tires in the winter, and would likely stay with tubes when riding in our Canadian winters.

But back to JWs - super " all - rounder compromise" type tire. I bet they will sell a bunch of them...
 
I converted my 26" city bike from 26x2 Marathons (stiff!) to 26x2.4 Super Moto-X and love them! My priorities are are about ride and rolling resistance, with the ability to do a little off road. Super Mot-X seems to have done the job for me!

Currently shopping for 27.5" wheels to convert a 26x4 bike. Looking for a rim width of 36-40mm to allow the newer "mid" size tires (2.4"-3").
These tires? look OK. Cheap, too.
 
Update! Really think of 3.2 inch tire , by 27.5 in, would be great for e-bikes. You would get great cushion and suspension. Still maneuverable, and wouldn't even notice the difference in effort from like 2 in. Anyway 2.8 to 3. 4 that's going to be the new sweet spot for e-bikes


From what I've seen the Schwalbe G one 2.8 in looks like a great a bike tire
If you want more durability the Schwalbe Super Moto 2.8 in would also be great
Anyone know other tires, with great Road treads, and light rail? 3 inch? 3.2 in?
And what bikes will they fit on ?


I'm looking at the flx trail. Checks a lot of boxes. Lightweight. Mid Drive motor. Integrated lights. Rack. I think it has 3in Tire clearance?

Anyway I feel a lot of e-bikes are too heavy and they either are fat tire or restricted at about 2 to 2.5 in

Would really like to find a fairly light e-bike that can take 3 maybe even 3.2 inch tires

What do you guys think?

Also, After riding a hub Drive motor for a while kind of leaning towards a mid drive for my next bike. I like the Hub Drive is simple. And it doesn't need to engage the chain.

Maybe a hub drive would work if it was fairly light and the bike could take 3in tires. But honestly I think the mid drive just gives you a better balanced experience, although I've never rode one so I don't know about any other cons such as if it's gets annoying the way it engages the chain

All right, thanks. Looking forward to hear some other people's feedback especially if there are any good 3in roadworthy bicycle tires or if the Schwalbe 2.8 inch you're probably the best so far
I for one would love to try a set of 27.5X 3.2! I don't always need the full bounce of 4in Fat Tires but sometimes i would like a little more than what i get with 3in, 3.2 could be my sweet spot.
 
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