The tires of an electric bike significantly affect riding comfort, safety, and the bike's performance. However, choosing the right tire isn't just about size. The intended use, riding surface, tire construction, puncture protection, and the number of studs in winter also influence which tire should be chosen.

An electric bike is heavier than a regular bicycle and is often ridden at brisk speeds. Therefore, tires may be required to have more durability and grip. In winter, especially ice and hard-packed snow further change the importance of tire selection.

Why should special attention be paid to electric bike tires?

The basic characteristics of electric bike tires are the same as those of regular bicycles, but the greater mass of an electric bike and the faster progression enabled by electric assistance emphasize the importance of tire durability and grip.

When choosing a tire, one should not think that an electric bike automatically needs the widest or heaviest tire possible. The right tire depends on where and how the bike is ridden.

For city riding, light rolling resistance, puncture protection, and good grip on asphalt can be important. In off-road conditions, the tread pattern and grip on varying surfaces are emphasized. In winter, the most important question is often how the tire behaves on snow and ice.

Electric assistance makes it easier to use wider or slightly heavier tires because their higher rolling resistance is not felt in the same way when pedaling as with a regular bike. However, the tire width should not be increased without first ensuring the compatibility of the rim, frame, fork, and fenders.

Electric bike tire size – what do the numbers mean?

Electric bike tire size is usually given in a format such as 28 x 1.75" or 27.5 x 2.60". The tire sidewall often also features an ETRTO measurement, for example, 47-622 or 65-584.

One should not rely solely on the inch size, as there has been variation in the markings of different tire sizes. When changing a tire, check the ETRTO marking on the sidewall of the current tire and use it as a starting point for selecting a new tire.

ETRTO stands for European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization, and its marking system helps in finding the correct tire size. The first number in the marking indicates the nominal width of the tire in millimeters, and the latter number indicates the nominal diameter of the rim in millimeters. For example, 65-584 means a tire approximately 65 millimeters wide, which fits a rim with a diameter of 584 millimeters.

However, note that the actual width of the tire can vary according to the rim width and manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, a new tire must not only be the correct size but also sufficiently compatible with the bike's rim and structures.

Tire width affects suitability and rideability

When the tire diameter, i.e., the latter number in the ETRTO marking, matches the rim, there are often several options regarding tire width. However, the width cannot be chosen freely; the tire must remain within the limits defined by the bike manufacturer.

The rim width also affects the actual tire width. On a narrow rim, the tire sits slightly narrower than on a wide rim, so the width indicated on the tire sidewall is a nominal measurement. In addition, manufacturing tolerances can cause small differences in the actual tire width.

When selecting a tire for an electric bike, it is important to ensure, in addition to the ETRTO size, that the tire is sufficiently narrow to fit the bike frame, fork, and any fenders. An excessively wide tire should not be installed, even if its diameter fits the rim.

When selecting winter tires, the need for space is emphasized. A studded tire can be slightly larger in structure and outer dimensions than a summer tire, which may necessitate choosing a slightly narrower option for a studded tire.

The best tire for an electric bike – what features should be valued?

The best tire for an electric bike depends on its intended use. Pay special attention to these:

1. Intended use

For city riding, a rolling and durable tire; for off-road, a patterned and grippy tire.

2. Puncture protection

A reinforced construction reduces the risk of punctures, especially for commuting.

3. Width

A wide tire increases stability and comfort, but the size must fit the rim and the bike.

4. Tread pattern

A smooth tire is suitable for asphalt, a patterned one for gravel and off-road. In winter, studs improve grip on ice.

Electric bike winter tire – are studs needed?

An electric bike winter tire does not automatically mean a studded tire. In Finland, both studded and non-studded winter tires can be used in winter, and the suitable option depends on the riding conditions.

If you mainly ride on icy roads or hard-packed snow, studded tires are a very justified choice. Studs grip the ice and improve traction, especially when braking, cornering, and making sudden evasive maneuvers. The greater mass and speed of an electric bike emphasize the importance of good grip.

If the routes are mainly soft snow or well-sanded, a wide non-studded winter tire may suffice in some situations. The need for studs depends on the conditions, routes, and riding style.

Therefore, studded tires should not be described as absolutely necessary for every winter cyclist. However, their importance is considerable on icy and slippery routes.

How many studs are needed for an electric bike winter tire?

Studded tires come with different numbers of studs, and there is no single correct number. Generally, the number of studs can vary between approximately 100 and 400 studs. The more studs a tire has, the better grip can usually be achieved on ice, but at the same time, rolling resistance may decrease.

Roughly, this can be considered:

• around 200 studs: a suitable starting point for city riding
• 300+ studs: a justified option for more demanding off-road and winter riding
• around 100 studs: can already offer a significant improvement in grip compared to a completely non-studded tire

The number of studs should be considered together with the tire width and intended use. A wide tire generally needs more studs to distribute the grip sufficiently across the entire tire area.

At least the front tire's studding can be considered important for maintaining steerability on slippery surfaces. The rear tire can technically be left unstudded, but then some grip is lost, and the bike may be more prone to losing control.

For most year-round electric cyclists, studded tires on both wheels are a safe and clear solution.

How do studded tires affect battery life?

One disadvantage of studded tires is greater rolling resistance. The tire structure, the number of studs, and the riding surface affect how much additional resistance is created.

Studded tires can typically shorten an electric bike's range by approximately 10–20 percent compared to summer tires. This is an indicative estimate, as the actual effect depends on the tire, tire pressure, surface, temperature, and riding style.

In winter, cold also affects the range. The battery does not perform the same in freezing conditions as in warm conditions, so more leeway should be left for the range during winter riding.

However, from a safety perspective, the potential shortening of range caused by studded tires is generally a small compromise compared to how much better grip can be achieved on icy surfaces.

Read more about electric biking in winter

Maintenance of electric bike tires in winter

Electric bike tires also require correct tire pressure and regular inspection. Check the tires regularly for wear, damage, and potential loss of studs.

In winter, salt, mud, and moisture also stress the bike. Therefore, the bike should be cleaned regularly, especially if it is ridden on salted roads. The chains and drivetrain also need more attention than usual during winter use.

The condition of the brakes is especially important on slippery surfaces. Tires alone do not make a bike safe; the overall package includes functional brakes, adequate lighting, appropriate riding speed, and a riding style adapted to winter conditions.

Summary: what is the best tire for an electric bike?

The best tire for an electric bike depends on where you ride.

For city riding, a rolling, durable, and puncture-protected tire is a good option. Off-road requires more tread grip. In winter, the most important selection criterion is the riding surface: on icy and hard-packed snow surfaces, studded tires offer a significant safety advantage, while on soft snow or well-sanded routes, a non-studded winter tire may be sufficient.

The correct electric bike tire size should primarily be checked from the ETRTO marking. The inch size alone does not always indicate the tire's compatibility with the rim accurately enough. Also, ensure that the tire can rotate in the fork, frame, and under the fenders.

For winter, tires should be changed before slippery conditions surprise you. If you regularly ride on ice, studded tires on both wheels are a safe and practical solution for most electric cyclists.

When electric bike tires are chosen based on their intended use, size, and riding conditions, riding becomes more comfortable, controllable, and safer all year round.

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Also read:

• The best bike for commuting – Tips for choosing the right bike
• The best electric bike in winter – Consider these things
• How to choose an electric bike? A comprehensive guide to selecting the right electric bike
• Electric bike battery life, charging, and replacement – Learn the best maintenance practices