How to Fix a Flat Tire on an E-Bike

In plain English

Most flats come from something sharp stuck in the tire, or from riding with low pressure. E-bikes are heavier, so they get pinch flats more easily. A rear hub-motor wheel is heavy and has a motor cable, so many riders patch the tube with the wheel still on the bike: let the air out, pull one side of the tire off, pull out the punctured part of the tube, patch it, and put it back.

Watch how it's done

Video by Park Tool. It may show a regular bike: on an e-bike, switch off and remove the battery first, and unplug the motor cable before taking off a hub-motor wheel.

Work from the top. Steps go from free and easy to shop jobs. Switch the bike off before touching any connector. Tick each step as you go. Your progress is saved on this device.

1. 1Switch off and remove the batteryFree Turn the display off, then take the battery out of its mount (or unplug it). Do this before touching any wires, brakes near the motor, or the rear wheel.
2. 2Find the holeFree Pump some air in and listen or feel for the leak. If you can't find it, hold the tube underwater and look for bubbles.
3. 3Find what caused itFree Run your fingers carefully around the inside of the tire and look at the outside. Pull out any thorn, glass or wire. If you skip this, the new tube will go flat too.
4. 4Lever off one side of the tireEasy Let all the air out. Push the tire bead into the middle of the rim all the way round, then use two tire levers to lift one side over the rim. You don't need to take the whole tire off.
5. 5Patch or replace the tubeEasy Patch: roughen the area, add glue if your kit needs it, press the patch on firmly. Replace: use a tube that matches the size printed on the tire and the same valve type (Schrader or Presta).
6. 6Put it back and inflateEasy Put a little air in the tube so it holds its shape, tuck it in, then push the tire back on with your thumbs, finishing at the valve. Check the tube isn't caught under the tire, then pump within the range on the sidewall.
7. 7Take the wheel off if you need toModerate If the tire won't come off with the wheel on the bike, remove the wheel. See our guide to removing a hub-motor wheel for the motor cable and axle parts.
8. 8Let a shop do itShop job Hub-motor rear wheels are heavy and awkward. If you'd rather not, any bike shop can fix a flat quickly.

Parts you might need

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Only buy a part if the free steps didn't fix it. Always match the voltage and connector type to your bike.

• Tire levers

  Plastic levers that pry a tire off the rim without damaging it.

  Link coming soon

• Tube patch kit

  Fixes small punctures on the road. Cheaper than a new tube.

  Link coming soon

• Inner tube

  Must match the tire size printed on the sidewall and your valve type (Schrader or Presta).

  Link coming soon

• Floor pump with gauge

  Soft tires make the motor work harder and cost range.

  Link coming soon