Tyre Pressure and Range: The Five-Minute Check Most Riders Skip

You can follow every battery tip in the manual and still lose ten kilometres per charge because your tyres are underinflated. It is one of the cheapest fixes in electric bike ownership — and one of the most ignored.

Use the pressure printed on the sidewall or in your owner manual, not a random number from a petrol pump attendant. Electric bikes with heavy batteries need correct pressure to roll efficiently.

Check when tyres are cool — early morning before your first ride gives the most accurate reading.

What you should know

Look for slow punctures if pressure drops twice in one week. A tiny nail can drain range before you notice the wobble.

Replace tyres that are squared off or cracked. Saving money on rubber is false economy when braking distance grows on wet roads.

“Range problems are not always in the battery — sometimes they are in the tyres.”

Quick tips

• Keep a small gauge in your under-seat kit.
• Top up at home if you have a portable inflator.
• Note pressure and date in your phone notes.
• Ask service to check alignment when fitting new tyres.