Hi guys! My Dad recently purchased RadRovers for himself and my Step-Mom to go on RV trips. We've been chatting about different upgrades and accessories like racks and bags... but he was also interested in flat tire prevention. Anyone who has owned a heavier ebike, like the fat tire models, and had to remove a wheel with a hub motor setup without a bike stand knows that it can be a real pain. So, my Dad found a couple of solutions and I wanted to pass them along and ask for your input too! I know there are some foam inserts and even puncture proof tires that are solid (from Specialized) for one of their urban models that I saw last year. I have found that all electric bikes tend to lose tire pressure faster due to the heavier weight of the bike+battery, so checking tire pressure before each ride is a good idea (I just squeeze my tires to get a basic idea of whether they need air). One thing I really try to do here on EBR with the reviews is include tire pressure ratings so you know without having to squat down and squint at the tire sidewall (especially if your tires are dirty or scratched up). Another quick tip is that flipping an ebike over (balancing on the handlebar and saddle) to change a flat is a bit more risky with ebikes due to fancy button pads and displays, so consider using something like these handlebar jacks to protect your cockpit! Before jumping in, here's another really good post from the forums with lots of other tips on bicycle tire flat prevention. Okay, here's what my Dad told me about how he plans to reduce flat tires:
Hi Court, I found a product called Tannus Armor that is designed to reduce flats on bicycles. Here is a link to the product page. They have different sizes for Schrader, Presta, and Tubeless tires and they also make completely airless tires. For anyone who is wondering, Schrader valves are the bigger ones like you'd find on a car tire and Presta valves are the skinny ones that have an insert which has to be unscrewed a little before adding air.
I plan on using the version shown on the link that still has a (smaller) tube inside of the insert. Since it is smaller and farther away from the contact with the road, it is less likely to get punctured. In addition to the benefits of added puncture protection, they help absorb shocks and can be ridden at lower tire pressure. It seems like they were originally designed as a tubeless alternative that prevents "burping" on competitive mountain bike tires. Here is a good video explaining it:
I still plan to use a sealant inside of the tubes for our RadRovers "just in case" something manages to get through and puncture the tube. I want a bullet proof solution for RV trips. Since it is very HOT in Arizona, I plan to use Flat Attack vs. Slime or another sealant. Flat Attack works the same but it is organic and lasts the life of the tire (5 year guarantee), where other sealants tend to dry out in hot weather. Flat Attack is glycol based vs water based which is why it does not dry out but it can only be used in bikes with tubes. In AZ, the bike shops say that the other sealants need to be replaced.
And that's it! I hope this helps you guys out. I thought his ideas and these products were very interesting and I hope it helps you too
Hi Court, I found a product called Tannus Armor that is designed to reduce flats on bicycles. Here is a link to the product page. They have different sizes for Schrader, Presta, and Tubeless tires and they also make completely airless tires. For anyone who is wondering, Schrader valves are the bigger ones like you'd find on a car tire and Presta valves are the skinny ones that have an insert which has to be unscrewed a little before adding air.
I plan on using the version shown on the link that still has a (smaller) tube inside of the insert. Since it is smaller and farther away from the contact with the road, it is less likely to get punctured. In addition to the benefits of added puncture protection, they help absorb shocks and can be ridden at lower tire pressure. It seems like they were originally designed as a tubeless alternative that prevents "burping" on competitive mountain bike tires. Here is a good video explaining it:
I still plan to use a sealant inside of the tubes for our RadRovers "just in case" something manages to get through and puncture the tube. I want a bullet proof solution for RV trips. Since it is very HOT in Arizona, I plan to use Flat Attack vs. Slime or another sealant. Flat Attack works the same but it is organic and lasts the life of the tire (5 year guarantee), where other sealants tend to dry out in hot weather. Flat Attack is glycol based vs water based which is why it does not dry out but it can only be used in bikes with tubes. In AZ, the bike shops say that the other sealants need to be replaced.
And that's it! I hope this helps you guys out. I thought his ideas and these products were very interesting and I hope it helps you too
Last edited:
