Tires

Tom
  • Updated

UK spelling - Tyres

Tires are like Running Shoes

Gocycle tires are like a high-tech pair of running shoes. Imagine how you're legs and knees and hips would feel if you ran a marathon in a pair of hiking boots. Or if you walked around a city in dress shoes for day of sight-seeing.  There’s a big difference in the amount of cushion and shock absorption that Gocycle tires offer compared to other tires, especially tires that are advertised as being tough and highly puncture resistant.

Gocycle Tire Pressure:

The recommended tire pressure for all Gocycle models and tires is 35 psi (2.4 bar).  In any case, the maximum tire pressure on all Gocycle models and any tire should never exceed 40 psi (2.7 bar).  Depending on the roughness of the roads you ride on, reducing tire pressure if it is safe to do so will offer higher levels of comfort and reduce stress and wear and tear on components.

 

If my tire says 60psi (4.1 bar) as the maximum inflation pressure, can I run with that pressure?

In short no, we do not recommend that you do this. Never exceed 40 psi (2.7 bar). There is very little benefit in running tire pressures at 60 psi compared to 40 psi for electric bikes because the motor will overcome the slight increase in rolling resistance. But there are significant drawbacks in lower levels of comfort and more wear and tear of all frame components. Please see Tech Bulletin 29 for examples of long term fatigue stress that can result from running tire pressures above 40 psi (2.7 bar).

Can I use tires other than Gocycle tires?

We do not recommend that you use tires other than Gocycle tires. 

The Performance and All Weather tire types offered by Gocycle are compatible with all models of Gocycle, the G4 tire is only compatible with the G4 range Gocycles.

For additional puncture resistance, we recommend puncture resistant tubes such as Slime filled inner tubes Extra Strong Self-Sealing Bike Tubes 20" x 1.5-2.125" Schrader | Slime – Slime Products or  https://www.tubolito.com/product/tubo-cargo/.   These offer industry leading puncture resistances when combined with Gocycle approved tires. 

Tires can vary in width from different manufacturers. The quality and compatibility can also vary significantly.  We strongly urge you to choose tires as recommended from the Gocycle web store. Your warranty may be affected if you are fitting un-approved tires (see Tech Bulliton 29) and you should expect a reduced safe service life of components on the Gocycle such as the frame and wheels. A Gocycle not running approved tires will require extra attention for fatigue related component damage. Whilst we do not recommend doing so, if you choose to run tires other than Gocycle approved tires, you should run as low a tire pressure as safe to do so, and it is safety critical that you have regular 2000 mile / 3,200 km inspections and these inspections must be a Gocycle FASTFIELDS SERVICE to ensure proper attention is paid to inspections for any premature wear and tear or damage caused by the tires.

Under no circumstances should you ever fit “Cargo” tires to the Gocycle!!!  Cargo tires are designed differently to normal bicycle tires and will transmitted significantly higher stress loads into the bicycle frame and components compared to Gocycle tires or normal two wheel bicycle tires.  Cargo bikes include 3 and 4 wheel variants and therefore the makers of "Cargo" tires account for side loadings not found on normal 2 wheel bicycles.  This means that the tires are significantly stiffer and less compliant than normal bike tires and are not compatible with the Gocycle in all circumstances.  This will result in a significant reduction in the life of the frame and in same cases may cause premature failure.  All warranties will be voided if Cargo tires are fitted to the Gocycle at any time during its lifetime.

Grip

Gocycle tires supplied since 2022 have a very high level of grip due to the infusion of silica into the tread. Contrary to common opinion, tread patterns for paved road tires are mostly cosmetic and do not affect the level of grip available. Bicycle speeds also are not high enough for aquaplaning.  Choosing to use tires with a knobby tread can be perceived to have more "grip" may in fact provide less grip compared to Gocycle's silica infused tires in an urban environment.  

Below are the results from an independent test comparing the latest Gocycle Endurance tire with added silica to the previous Gocycle tires and a popular treaded tire. The Gocycle Endurance tire had more than 2x the grip than a popular treaded tire. 

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Results from an independent test of the grip tires in wet conditions 

 

How long will the tire last?

Tire life will vary depending on usage and riding style. Typically, a high-performance tire, such as the Gocycle Performance Tire, will not last as long as a lower performance tire. The trade-off is weight, puncture resistance, grip in wet weather, and easy rolling.

When the central grooves in the tire have worn down, you should replace the tire as it may be unsafe to use.

 

 

 

 

 

Gocycle Tire Types

Gocycle Tire

The Gocycle tire comes standard on the G4, G4i and G4i+ Gocycles, it is a MotoGP-inspired treaded tire infused with silica compound for superior grip and sure -footed handling.

Standard tire type for:

  • Gocycle G4
  • Gocycle G4i
  • Gocycle G4i+

These new Gocycle tires are only compatible with the Generation Four Gocycle models onwards - G4, G4i, G4i+ - Frame number >919335 onwards). However, the previous range of tires (Performance and All Weather) can still be used on the G4. 

 

Gocycle_Tyre.PNG

 

Performance Tire

The Performance tires are very high quality, featuring a 120tpi casing which offers the benefits of low rolling resistance and extremely light weight. 

Standard tire type for:

  • Gocycle G3C
  • Gocycle G3+

Gocycle All Weather Tire

The All weather tire has been designed to offer increase puncture resistance while having low rolling resistance, but weighs more than the Performance tire. 

Standard tire type for:

  • Gocycle GS
  • Gocycle GX
  • Gocycle GXi

Do you need new tires?

You can purchase new tires for your Gocycle at our webstore or via your nearest Gocycle dealer.

 
 

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