Install tire liners

A tire liner sits between the tire and the tube and helps stop thorns, glass and pinch flats. On an e-bike, where getting a hub motor wheel off is a bigger job, it can save a lot of roadside hassle. This guide follows the maker's instructions for Tannus Armour, a common liner style, and Rad Power Bikes' install guide for it.

What you need

• A tire liner sized for your wheel and tire width
• Tire levers
• A floor pump with gauge
• An inner tube in good shape, or a new one
• For a rear hub motor, an axle nut wrench and the steps in fix a flat on a rear hub motor wheel

Steps

1. Power down. Rad says to turn the bike off, remove the battery and hold the MODE or power button to drain leftover power (Rad).
2. Remove the wheel. Take off the front or rear wheel that will get the liner (Rad). On a hub motor wheel, unplug the motor cable at its connector first and note how the torque arm and washers sit.
3. Remove the tire and tube. Let all the air out and lever off one side of the tire, then pull the tube out. Check inside the tire for anything sharp still stuck in the casing.
4. Add a little air to the tube. Tannus starts with a slightly inflated tube so it holds its shape (Tannus).
5. Fit the first bead and the liner. Seat one side of the tire on the rim. Then tuck one side of the Armour inside the tire and over the rim (Tannus).
6. Put the tube inside the liner. Push the valve through the rim hole and lay the tube inside the Armour, keeping its wings unfolded (Tannus).
7. Close the liner. Lay the remaining flap of the Armour over the rim, under where the second bead will sit (Tannus).
8. Seat the second bead. Work the rest of the tire onto the rim, using a tire lever if needed (Tannus).
9. Check before you inflate. Go around both sides and make sure the tube and liner aren't pinched between the bead and rim (Tannus).
10. Inflate. Rad says to inflate to 10 PSI below the pressure on the tire sidewall when using Tannus Armour (Rad). Tannus notes that higher pressure compresses the liner more, and lower pressure gives more grip (Tannus). See set tire pressure.
11. Refit the wheel and torque the axle nuts or thru axle to your bike's spec. Plug the motor cable back in, refit the battery and test the bike before riding (Rad).

Strip style liners

Some liners are a flat plastic strip that lies inside the tire tread rather than wrapping the tube. Follow the instructions in the package for which side faces the tire and where the ends overlap, since they differ by brand.

Common mistakes

• Buying the wrong size. Check the tire sidewall for the diameter and width.
• Pinching the tube under the bead, which causes a flat right away.
• Running full sidewall pressure with an insert, against the maker's advice above.
• Forgetting to check the tire casing for the thorn that caused the last flat.

Care

Tannus says the Armour can compress over time depending on rider weight, pressure and terrain, and that storing it somewhere warm helps it regain its shape (Tannus).

Videos

When to get a pro

• A rear hub motor wheel you're not comfortable removing, or a motor cable connector that won't unplug easily.
• Flats that keep coming back. The rim tape or spoke ends may be the cause. See e-bike flat tire.

Sources

• Tannus Armour Installation Instructions, Tannus
• Tannus Armour installation guide, Rad Power Bikes

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