All You Need to Know About Cycle Tyres & Tubes

Since you are here, we might as well begin with the fact that you love cycling. 

Maybe you are an e-biker cruising the streets on your EMotorad beast or a die-hard MTB rider who eats gravel for breakfast. 

Either way, what we can say for sure is that your ride is only as good as its tyres and tubes. Without them, even your most advanced rides would feel like an old rickety two-wheeler. 

So, without any further ado, let's roll into the world of cycle tyres and tubes—

—and bicycle bearings. 

Because why not?

You might think of tyres as just the rubbery bits that keep your rims from scraping the road. 

Unfortunately, dear cyclist, it is not that simple! 

The type of tyre and tube you use determines speed, grip, and whether you find yourself gloriously gliding or tragically tumbling.

Before you go and grab just any ol’ tyre off the shelf, consider what kind of ride you have and what kind of terrain you’ll be tackling.

Best for: Road bikes, city commuters, and e-cycles like the ones from EMotorad.

• Smooth, minimal tread for reduced rolling resistance

• More contact with the road means better speed but less grip on rough terrain

• Perfect for zipping through city streets while looking effortlessly cool

Best for: Hybrid cycles, casual riders, and people who can't decide!

• Smooth centre tread for speed

• Knobby edges for some grip when things get dicey

• Great for both pavement and light gravel

Best for: Mountain bikes, adventure seekers, and anyone who enjoys getting mud on their face.

• Deep, aggressive tread for maximum grip

• Designed to handle dirt, mud, rocks, and questionable life choices

• Slower on roads but perfect for wild terrains

Best for: Fat bikes, electric cycles, and riders who want to float over anything.

• Extra-wide for superior shock absorption

• Great for sand, snow, and uneven terrain

• The cycling equivalent of driving a monster truck

Unless you’re rocking tubeless tyres (we’ll get to that in a second), your tyres need tubes to keep them inflated. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• Affordable, widely available, and easy to replace

• Comes in different sizes, so don’t buy one blindly!

• Filled with a gooey sealant that instantly plugs small holes

• Perfect for city commuters who fear potholes like the apocalypse

• Lighter and more flexible than standard tubes

• Reduce rolling resistance but lose air faster, so frequent pumping is needed

• No inner tube is needed; just sealant inside the tyre

• Lower pressure = better traction and fewer punctures

• Slightly more expensive but totally worth it!

Oh, you think I forgot? 

Nope! 

Bearing are tiny, hard, fearless warriors hidden inside your wheels and pedals. 

The right tyres can actually help extend the life of your bearings. 

How? By reducing vibrations and impact. 

Fat tyres and tubeless setups absorb shocks like a pro, keeping your bearings spinning smoothly- longer.

So, if you take good care of your EMotorad e-cycle (show it the love it deserves), be good to its bearings, and do the right thing, it may last longer than your teeth!

• Check pressure regularly: Follow the PSI recommendations on your tyre's sidewall. Underinflated tyres make pedalling harder, while overinflated ones make it much more likely that you'll get a puncture.

• Inspect for wear and tear: Bald spots or cracks? It’s time to replace it!

• Glass and thorns: They are the worst nightmare for your tyres.

• Rotate your tyres: If your rear tyre wears out faster, switch it with the front one for a longer lifespan.

If you're a speed junkie, slick tyres are the best bet. 

For off-road rides, knobby tyres are for you. 

But, if you want to feel like you're on the air, fat tyres are your best chance. 

And if fixing flats isn't your thing, go tubeless! 

However, remember that whatever you choose, your tyres and tubes are the foundation of a great ride. 

So treat them well, and they will take care of providing you with smooth rides - whether it is an EMotorad e-bike or your reliable old mountain bike.

Now, have a good ride!