Wheel and tire sizes have a significant impact on the riding characteristics of your ebike. Tires vary in both diameter and width. The most common diameters found on adult bikes are 27.5” and 29”. Twenty inch tires are found on some folding ebikes.
Typically, as the diameter increases, the overall stability of the bike improves. The angle that the tire approaches bumps and holes in the road is decreased as the diameter gets larger, resulting in improved rollover and a smoother ride. The tradeoff is that a larger wheel size is heavier, meaning slower acceleration and less maneuverability-making it harder to negotiate some features found on trails and roads. A larger wheel is also inherently weaker, requiring more material to create an equally strong wheel relative to smaller-diameter options.
All current Serial 1 ebikes feature 27.5” wheels. This common wheel is more stable than a 20” wheel while maintaining strength, lively acceleration, and maneuverability compared to a 29” wheel.
In addition to tire diameter, Serial 1 changes the width of tires featured on our RUSH, MOSH and BASH models to suit the needs of each rider.
MOSH comes with 2.8” wide tires. This creates more volume, giving a smoother ride over rougher road conditions due to the improved shock absorption provided by the additional air volume. The 2.8” tire allows for greater impact resistance from riding such as coming down off a curb.
All RUSH models feature 2.6” tires. The reduced weight provides improved acceleration and a more nimble feel. The quicker handling makes avoiding potholes and other obstacles easier.
BASH models have 2.6” wide-knobby tires. This is a great choice for the varied terrain encountered off-road, with a combination of enough rubber on the road/trail to absorb impacts, minimize rolling resistance and accelerate and steer well.
Though this is a general overview, hopefully you’ve gained a little insight into how your tires affect your ebikes’ acceleration, maneuverability and handles the bumps and terrain you encounter. As always, our goal is to help you get the most out of your ebike and Enjoy Every Ride. Our customer service team is always available to answer questions or you can reach out to your Serial 1 dealer.