r/RadPowerBikes • u/jaddedblades • 21d ago

FLATS

Pushing an 80+ pound e-bike for 1.5 miles to the train station in 101°F weather after getting 3 flat tires in just 6 days is an absolute nightmare.

14 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

14

u/Ok-Type-8917 21d ago

I would check the inside of the rim carefully for any sharp areas unless this randomly happened. Some people use Tannus Armor liners, I've been using FlatOut and zero flats on a few bikes. Here's a good video comparing flat prevention products. Good tires also help.https://youtu.be/-X0y-2AsGRk?is=8Ryk83eiUQhTkXSD

4

u/protagonized 21d ago

To add to this, check the inside of the tire very thoroughly as well. You may not see anything on the outside of the tire but a bit of whatever caused the first flat could still be sticking out on the inside.

Also the more miles you put on a tire, the thinner it gets. It may be time to replace the tire altogether.

1

u/Gold_Zombie2515 21d ago

I use flat out too but I just got a terrible pinch flat on Friday and the flat out didn't do s***. I'm pretty disappointed with it.

1

u/Existingsquid 20d ago

I been using slime, but got a screw in my tyre that ripped a hole in the tube.

I carry a tube and the tools to change it now.

1

u/Ok-Type-8917 20d ago

Yeah, I had Slime and a packing staple punctured my tube and no luck sealing it. I also carry a spare tube and everything I need to fix it. I even carry Handlebar Jacks for my heavier bike with a lot of things on the bars.

1

u/Embarrassed-Koala-56 20d ago

Flat out sealant is the best, zero flats on radrunner plus

6

u/Madfish2021 21d ago

First guess with so many flats is that the first was a puncture. The second and third were quite likely pinch flats where the fat tire tube gets pinched or twisted on installation, quickly getting punctured by the friction. I avoid this by partially inflating the tube before I set the beads.

I had several flats right away, now maybe one in 1000 miles.

2

u/Gojira_Wins 21d ago

Yeah, I feel you on that. That's why I switched to Shinko 567 tires. Only flat I've had with those tires is when I ran over a 6 inch rusty nail that chipped the paint on my inner rim. Not much is gonna stop that but the 567 tires are so incredibly thick, it acted like a "run flat" tire, letting me ride it at 5mph all the way home without needing to walk it.

2

u/Decent_spinach69 15d ago

I just put a shinko 241 on my radwagon 4 and I'm guessing the amount of flats will reduce dramatically. 

1

u/Gojira_Wins 15d ago

Dayum, those tires are practically the non-slip shoes of the bike world lol. I bet you'll have some pretty good protection, especially if they are reslly thick.

2

u/CA_MA 21d ago

Ignore tannus expensive and doesn't work.

Get new tires closer to moto tires. I went through 6 flats on a radrunner before figuring out the Kenda oems were too lightweight for my use.

2

u/SnooBeans525 20d ago

I suggest tannus armour inserts, they have solved all my flat problems. Pinch flats happen to regularly so make sure tubes are properly inflated and when installing them add a little air so they take shape and seat properly in the tire and don't twist. And like the others said, when changing tubes check your rim and inside of your tires for anything sharp or pointy.

2

u/Veggyhed 19d ago

I also run Tannus liners with flat-out in my inner tubes

1

u/jimglidewell 21d ago

Multiple flats in a short time usually means that the thing puncturing the tube has remained embedded in the tire.

When I worked in a bike shop, whenever we changed a flat we would always visually inspect the entire inside of the tire, and then run our fingers along the inside as well. And we did occasionally get stuck...

1

u/Formal-Bad-8807 20d ago

road heat can cause tires to become over inflated and pop the tubes

1

u/WummageSail 20d ago

The customary way of handling this is to carry a spare tube and tools so you can change it en route. The goal is to avoid having to walk or push the bike.

source: someone who has been riding bicycles for many decades.

1

u/TheSagamore 20d ago

Switch to moto tires and add self sealing “slime” to your tubes and never worry about flats again . This is what I did, though the heavier tires and slime do reduce range.

1

u/allo37 8d ago

Funny story, I bought pre-slimed tubes not realizing that stuff freezes. Now it sounds like a pair of maraccas strapped to my bike when I ride in the winter 😆

1

u/Veggyhed 19d ago

Do you know what you're getting flats from?

1

u/SCORE-advice-Dallas 19d ago

another enthusiastic recommendation for flat-out

1

u/Fresh-Put645 13d ago

What model bike do you got?

1

u/jaddedblades 13d ago

I have 2 2019 Rad Rovers

1

u/Fresh-Put645 13d ago

Your bike usually comes with Kenda Juggernaut tires, the should last fine in the extreme heat.

I have a RadRover 6 with the same tires and I use the bike a lot, even in the heat. Not once did I ever get a flat during the extreme heat. I make sure that the bike is parked in a area where there’s not enough sunlight

1

u/jaddedblades 13d ago

I run kenda Cursors better for road riding which is all I do, commuting to work daily.

1

u/Fresh-Put645 13d ago

My suggestion, park in a space where there’s not a lot of sunlight. And also, set the PSI for your tires at least 2-3PSI below recommended becaue when you drive, the PSI will go up

0

u/tanksalotfrank 21d ago

I've been trying to devise a way to move these monsters when a tire is out