What tire pressure does an e-bike need?

The correct tire pressure for your E-Bike is stated on the tire sidewall: the manufacturer specifies the range the pressure must fall within. There is no table that applies to every E-Bike, because a 20-inch tire on a folding bike and a 28-inch tire have different specifications. Check the pressure regularly, because the motor masks insufficient inflation.

Here you'll learn where to find the specification, why E-Bike tires need to withstand more, and what applies when changing tires. Below the article, you'll find models from our E-Bikes, each shown with its tires.

Where can I find the tire pressure on a bike?

On the tire sidewall, meaning the side of the tire. According to the ADFC, it states the range within which the pressure must fall. This is no different for an E-Bike than for a bike without a motor.

What matters is the tire currently mounted. The pressure you use depends on the tire's manufacturer and model, not on the E-Bike brand.

Is there a tire pressure table for E-Bikes?

There is no reliable table for all E-Bikes, because every tire has its own range. This list based on the manufacturers' specifications shows how different the tires in our selection already are:

• JOBOBIKE Ace Pro with 20 x 2.125-inch CST tires
• ENGWE O20 Boost with 20 x 2.125-inch tires
• ENGWE P275 SE with 27.5 x 1.95-inch tires
• JOBOBIKE Astra with 27.5 x 2.4-inch Kenda tires
• JOBOBIKE Robin Pro with 26 x 4.0-inch CST tires
• ENGWE Mapfour N1 Air with 700 x 38C tires, or 28 inches

No matter what a tire pressure calculator gives you: if the value falls outside the range on the sidewall, follow the sidewall specification.

How many bar should a 28-inch tire have?

28 inches only tells you the wheel size. A narrow and a wide tire of the same size can have completely different ranges. According to the manufacturers, the ENGWE P275 SE and the JOBOBIKE Astra both use 27.5-inch tires, but with widths of 1.95 and 2.4 inches. For the 28-inch ENGWE Mapfour N1 Air, you should therefore also check the sidewall of the mounted tire. The same applies to a Schwalbe tire.

Why tire pressure matters more on an E-Bike

E-Bike tires have more to deal with. The ADFC lists the reasons: they support the greater weight of pedelecs, withstand higher average and cornering speeds, and cope with stronger acceleration and braking. At the same time, they should roll easily to conserve battery power.

The tricky part: An underinflated tire is hardly noticeable because the motor compensates for the higher rolling resistance. The consequences still follow: the battery runs out faster, the tire wears more quickly, and punctures occur more often. So check the pressure regularly, not only when the bike starts to feel strange.

How many bar is too much for a bike?

Anything above the maximum value on the sidewall is too much. The same value can be too high for one tire and too low for another whose range starts higher.

So don't use a number from friends or acquaintances. What works for your neighbor's trekking bike may be unsuitable for your folding bike or your Fatbike.

Which tires are suitable for an S-Pedelec?

Stricter rules apply to fast pedelecs up to 45 km/h. According to the ADFC, S-Pedelec tires must meet the European ECE-R75 standard, which requires, among other things, a tread depth of at least one millimeter.

You can identify this on the sidewall. Schwalbe and Continental print a symbol there with an E or a lightning bolt and the number 25 or 50. Tires marked 50 are approved for fast pedelecs. The 25 appears on tires that the manufacturer considers suitable for standard pedelecs.

Can you simply fit different tires?

Not without further consideration. According to the ADFC, pedelecs fall under the Machinery Directive, which does not allow components to be replaced arbitrarily. A replacement part must be identical in design or approved by the manufacturer.

If you want to fit wider, narrower, or winter tires, first check whether your E-Bike manufacturer approves that tire. The range on the new tire's own sidewall then applies.