Can no longer depend on my New 2018 Rad Rover mini :(

[ca666]

I went on a 40km round trip ride today, was 10kms from home and my tire popped for the third time in as many days. This time I had to take the bus home then drive back to pick up my bike. The other two times I pushed the bike 5 and 7 kms home. I guess I got bigger problems with the Radrover than just range issues. I have never popped this many tires. My last ebike that was a gasser, but had mountain bike tires, I would go on 100km treks out into the country, without a hitch. 5 years later and I have never popped a tire. Now 3 tires in 3 days, what is going go? I can no longer depend on this bike, which sucks. I am so scared to take it anywhere. It took me 3 hours to get home today, Id hate to use it to get to work, because this bike would have cost me my job already. What the heck is going on ????


I am 220 pounds, am I took fat for this bike? The only thing I did that was kind of rough today was drive over some railroad tracks. It was straight pavement the whole way. With gas projected to cost over $6.00 a gallon this summer, I was really hopping this was going to be my cost savings solution.

 

[Nova Haibike]

Were all three flats in the same exact spot on the tube? It is always a good idea to know the orientation of the tire to the rim, and look to see where the hole in the tube is relative to the valve. In other words, if the puncture is 10" from the vavle, check the tire in the same location, because whatever caused the flat may still be embedded in the tire.

Going forward you might want to run with sealant in the tubes, or even consider converting to tubeless.

 

[rich c]

Your title makes it sound like the bike is failing you, but in fact it is the tires. Are you running the stock fat tires? The carcass of those type tires are very thin and easy to puncture. Look at some Schwalbe tires made for ebikes and puncture resistance. There are also liners available and puncture sealant.

 

[ca666]

It was the front tire the first time and the back the other two times. The first time was a screw - plain and simple, it was obvious. The other two flats, I sill don't know what. Couldn't find a puncture hole. I just remember driving over a tiny fat branch today before it deflated. Its weird because there is still some pressure in the tire even though it is completely separated from the tire bead. I haven't had an issue with the front tire since replacing it with a different brand of tube, maybe it has something to with a integrity of the factory tubes on the rad rover ? I know they seem to chince out on a lot of things.

 

[ca666]

Your title makes it sound like the bike is failing you, but in fact it is the tires. Are you running the stock fat tires? The carcass of those type tires are very thin and easy to puncture. Look at some Schwalbe tires made for ebikes and puncture resistance. There are also liners available and puncture sealant.

Could you recommend any by providing a link,? Trying to google it and not having much luck.

 

[ca666]

I found these, but don't know if they are any better than the factory tires

https://www.modernbike.com/vee-tire...olding-bead-mpc-compound-tubeless-ready-black

 

[WilliamT]

I use to get a lot of flats with my front tire. Most were pinch flats. The tubes I got were the cheap ones. I thought they were all the same until I saw that you can buy thicker rubber tubes. That helped but I still got flats. It wasn't until I switch to slime tubes that I was no longer getting flats.

https://www.amazon.com/Slime-Schrad...TF8&qid=1524703991&sr=1-5&keywords=slime+tube

Because your tire isn't a standard size, you may want to look at getting the sealant instead and put the slime in there yourself.

 

[ca666]

man I wish I could get those slime tubes in my size

 

[rich c]

Could you recommend any by providing a link,? Trying to google it and not having much luck.

I have no idea what size tire you have. Just basing my comment on reading about other fat bike riders on an owners Facebook page, and personal experience with Schwalbe tires.

 

[Barry S]

You can also look at the Origin8 Tsunami. If you're looking for a less aggressive tire for paved road travel I have yet to find one in the 20x4 size. Hopefully, as fat tire folding bikes gain in popularity someone will step up with more tire choices. You could also try adding tire liners to give an extra layer of protection. Some riders swear by them and others say they cause punctures due to pinching. I've also seen where riders have lined the inside of their wheels with an old tube to add another layer.

 

[MisterM]

How about looking at some of the thick foam inserts like Cush Core and running tubeless?

 

[ca666]

How about looking at some of the thick foam inserts like Cush Core and running tubeless?

Ill take a look a this, thanks!

 

[ca666]

You can also look at the Origin8 Tsunami. If you're looking for a less aggressive tire for paved road travel I have yet to find one in the 20x4 size. Hopefully, as fat tire folding bikes gain in popularity someone will step up with more tire choices. You could also try adding tire liners to give an extra layer of protection. Some riders swear by them and others say they cause punctures due to pinching. I've also seen where riders have lined the inside of their wheels with an old tube to add another layer.

I am going to try some of that sealing foam to begin with seeing it is cheap and I can get it locally. If that doesn't work, I will take a look at this. Thank you !

 

[MisterM]

I am going to try some of that sealing foam to begin with seeing it is cheap and I can get it locally. If that doesn't work, I will take a look at this. Thank you !

Check out this much cheaper dIY version. Need to use closed cell foam. Can order "backer rod" from Amazon