The correct tire pressure for your electric bicycle

Always check the tire pressure of your electric bicycle before you hit the road. This job can be done in no time with an electric compressor. And if necessary, quickly pump the tire to the desired air pressure. In this blog we will tell you more about tire pressure for e-bikes.

How much bar should be in the tire of your electric bicycle?

The recommended air pressure is always printed on the side of the tire. On average this is between 3.5 and 4.5 bar. This depends, among other things, on the type of tire: the wider it is, the less air is required. The table below lists the recommended tire pressure for the most commonly used electric bicycles. This assumes a cyclist weighing 75 kg who rides without luggage.

Type of e-bike	Tire type (and width)	Best tire pressure
Electric city bike	Classic bicycle tire (30-45 mm)	3.5 to 6 bar
Electric racing bike	Racing tire (less than 30mm)	6 to 8 bar
Electric mother's bike	Balloon band (more than 45 mm)	2 to 3 bar
Electric cargo bike	Balloon band (more than 45 mm)	2 to 3 bar
Electric mountain bike	Balloon band (more than 45 mm)	2 to 3 bar
Speed ​​pedelec	Balloon band (more than 45 mm)	2 to 3 bar

What else should you pay attention to when determining the correct tire pressure?

The optimal air pressure does not only depend on the width of a tire. The following factors also influence the optimal tire pressure. .

1. Weight: The recommended tire pressure is aimed at a weight of 75 kg. For every additional kilo of luggage or body weight you can increase the air pressure by 1%, for every kilo less you can reduce the tire pressure by 1%. Please note: never inflate your tire harder than the maximum bar stated on your bicycle tire.
2. Weather conditions: On wet or slippery surfaces, it is advisable to lower the air pressure in the tire of your electric bicycle slightly. This gives you more grip, because the bicycle tire makes more contact with the asphalt.
3. Surface: The quality of the road affects how comfortable you drive. On an asphalted path it is best to cycle with the recommended tire pressure. Does your route consist largely of cobblestone roads or unpaved paths? Then drive with a slightly lower tire pressure.

The benefits of correct tire pressure

All this attention to determining the optimal air pressure is not without reason. After all, if you hit the road with too low tire pressure, you will have more rolling resistance. It then takes more energy to move forward: for you as a cyclist, but also for the battery of your electric bicycle. This causes the battery to drain faster, so you have to charge it more often. This costs more energy and also shortens the life of the battery. Your tires also wear out faster if they do not have enough pressure. This increases the chance of a flat tire.

By the way, it is also not good to pump too much air into your tires. In this case, your bicycle tire loses its spring effect and no longer absorbs shocks properly. A very hard tire also makes less contact with the road surface. You will then have less grip, especially in corners, which increases the chance of you crashing. Finally, an over-inflated tire can come off the rim or burst. In short: if the tires of your electric bicycle have the correct pressure, this increases comfort, safety and durability. And with it the pleasure you get from your day out.

More articles about electric bicycles

You will find more articles about e-bikes on our blog. For example, we will discuss the question of whether electric cycling is healthy – and give you a surprising answer. Do you want to know whether a helmet is mandatory when riding an electric bicycle? Then check our FAQ about bicycle helmets.