Electric bikes are a fun way to exercise and an efficient mode of transport. But proper maintenance is a must to reap the best of an e-bike. Sometimes, the bike chain, tire, tube, brake pads, and other parts get weak and faulty after prolonged use. So if your ebike tube gets damaged, you need to change it as fast as possible.
But how much does an e-bike tube cost? On average, the cost of ebike tubes ranges from $3 to $32, depending on where you’ll be riding.
A faulty bike tube will repeatedly disappoint you at the wrong places if you don’t address it properly. Unfortunately, e-bike tubes aren’t too long-lasting even after frequent repairs. Punctures that were previously patched tend to reopen at the slightest bump. It only makes sense to replace it instead of fixing it repeatedly.
This article adequately covers the cost of an e-bike tube and other information you will find helpful.
How Much Does An E-bike Tube Cost?
Typically, bicycle tubes are one of the cheapest items you may need to purchase for your e-bike. Different factors like the size of the wheel and the type of bike it is for (off-road or road bike) influences the price you’ll have to pay.
The quality of the tube in question also matters. In this subsection, I will split different types of electric bike tubes according to their uses.
- Off-road tubes
These types of tubes are made to be very resilient when traversing bumpy and unforgiving roads. Off-road tubes cost between $20 to $32.
- Puncture-proof tubes
Puncture-proof tubes offer 100% protection from sharp objects that can damage your inner tube. These are on the high side, and the prices start from $25.
- Sports tubes
These tubes are made to be slim and provide the maximum speed possible. They cost between $18 to $30.
- The daily rider tubes
Tubes in this category are made for functionality and resilience. They are the cheapest type of e-bike tubes, costing between $2 to %15.
When Should You Replace Your E-bike Tube?
An e-bike tube should be replaced after 2-4 years to prevent mishaps. You should also change them when you notice they don’t hold air like they used to. This can be due to repeated punctures and patches.
E-bike tubes are designed to last for long distances without the need for replacements, but they are not invulnerable. The average biker is prone to speed, going off-road and making fast maneuvers. With conditions like this, encountering an object sharp enough to puncture your tire is high.
Can You Repair An E-bike Tube?
When your tire and tube get punctured, it is normal to patch them and reuse them. But with each patched job, the integrity of the tube reduces. When you have multiple patches on your e-bike tube, it is harder for the tube to hold air.
At this point, you might notice your tire is always getting flat, even when you just put air moments ago. It, therefore, becomes necessary to replace the tube.
Besides punctures that happen once in a while, bicycle tires deteriorate after 2-4 years of hard riding. Naturally, a rider that pushes his bike to its limit will need a tube replacement faster than a casual rider.
Factors That Contribute To Tube Wear And Tear
- Buying cheap knock-off brands is always a bad idea. You save money short-term but pay dearly with repeated flats and a shorter lifespan.
- Overinflated tubes will always have a lower stress point. This is because the material is already stretched to its limit, all it takes is a little pressure, and it gives out.
- Damage to or near the valve stem. This is often worse than punctures because of how sensitive that area is. Damages near the valve stem usually mean a total tube change.
- Poor tire quality. The tire protects the tube, so if the tire is already bald or loses most of its thread, it is only natural that the tube will be affected.
- Inner tube pinching can damage your tube, sometimes permanently. It occurs when a force exerted on the rim causes it to pinch the tube, thereby damaging it.
- Using a tube with an unresolved leak, perhaps unknowingly, can accelerate its end. The tube grinds against the inner tire without air to keep it in place, thus damaging it.
- Riding on terrible roads often will reduce the life of your inner tube. Your chances of puncture increase on bad roads, and numerous punctures compromise a tube.
- A rim pole that was not properly installed might have sharp edges poking through. Since the tube is in direct contact with the rim, it can get punctured or torn.
- Bad riding habits like riding close to a curb can cause wear and tear to the sides of your tires. Also known as curb rash, this also causes unnecessary friction to a tube.
How To Care For Your E-bike Tube?
Want to prolong your ebike tube lifespan? Here’s what you can do.
1. Prevent Spoke Puncture With Rim Tape
There is a hole under your bike rim where the spokes are slotted in. Some of these spokes can move and contact your rim when the tire is inflated. Over time it can result in tears to your bike tube.
You can prevent this by using rim tape on the inside of the tire; this stops the spokes from making contact. We recommend you wrap it twice around the rim, gorilla tape, or any other tape with similar strength, and the glue level is perfect for this.
2. Inspect Your Rim Regularly
Though strong, an e-bike’s rim is not exempt from damages; this is very true if you ride offroad regularly. Breezing through rough terrains regularly increases the chance of having little damage to the rim.
When your rims have dents, they can apply pressure to your tube (also known as tube pinching). This will make them more susceptible to tears and punctures at the slightest pressure.
3. Ensure They’re Properly Mounted
Ensure they’re correctly mounted after any routine service that requires the tube to be removed. A piece can be cut between the rim and tire; it would eventually tear once the bike hits the road.
4. Use A Tire Liner To Protect Your Tubes
Previously we talked about rim liners to protect the tube from the spokes; well, what about the side of the tube in contact with the ground?
You can protect them by using protective liners against the part of the tire the tube comes in contact with. In the case of a tire puncture, you only have the tire to repair while your tube remains intact.
5. Store Your E-bike Properly
Over time an e-bike’s tube will naturally lose air as it leaks through the surface slowly. Let’s assume you use a bike rack for electric bikes, and you plan to store your bike for weeks; how do you prevent air loss?
By placing the bike with the air valve pointing up, you can reduce the amount of air lost over time.
6. Check Tire Air Pressure Regularly
Riding with too little or too much air in a tire is not suitable for the tube. If there is too little air, the tube grinds against the ground; likewise, too much air can burst the tube if an incident occurs.
The key is finding the right amount of air; you can simply consult the manufacturer’s website or ask your tire technician.
How To Choose The Right Tube For Your E-bike?
So long as you use your e-bike regularly, you must change your tube at some point; it is inevitable. You must get a tube suited for your bike; read more below to know what to consider.
- Consider the wheel diameter of your bike in your decision-making. Wheel diameters start at 12 and go all the way to 29.
- Getting the correct tube size is a crucial part of the selection process. If you’re not sure what size of tube your bike uses, simply check the sidewall of your tire. The tube spec can be found there.
- Tire width can also differ according to the bike’s brand. Road bikes typically have thinner tire widths than off-road bikes.
- Depending on the number of resources at your disposal, a premium quality tube is always better than a cheap one.
- Some tubes are better suited for road use, while others are made for off-road use. If you plan on off-roading a lot, get a tube designed to handle all the bumps and sharp movements. Disregard this, and you will find yourself stranded more often than not.
- If you plan on stunt riding, which involves going up ramps and crashing down at astonishing speeds, you must get a tube that can handle this.
Final words
Unless you use a tubular or tubeless tire, changing your e-bike tube requires you to know. It doesn’t have to be complicated, all you need is the exact specifications of your tire needs, and you’re on your way to getting a new tube.
The best part of buying a tube is that you only need to make this purchase once in 2 years unless your bike tube gets punctured or damaged.
But how much does an e-bike tube cost? With a budget of 3-32$, you can replace your e-bike’s tube. It all depends on the quality you want. Don’t be hesitant to shell out money for a high-quality tube; it would save you a lot of money in the future.
