Flat protection for my Aventon Level.2

[bikesyogabat]

Just joined the forum, hopefully this is the right place to post, I couldn't figure how how to post in the Aventon sub-forum itself.

I purchased an Aventon Level.2, and I plan on doing gravel trail riding, eventually multi-day rides like the KT train in Missouri or the Mickelson trail in South Dakota.
I hear that it can be quite a pain to change a rear hub ebike tire in the field, and while I plan to practice in my garage before heading too far.
My LBS offer a $250 "flat protection" package with Rhinodillo thorn strips, thicker thorn tube, and orange sealant. That's a lot of money and their point is that they will repair any flat for free if you still get one, but that's not going to help me much if I'm stranded in the middle of nowhere between towns in another state.

I'm thinking about adding those thorn strips myself (about $20 on Amazon) as part of practicing servicing the bike. I'm not sure I'd want to go to the level of Tannus inserts, and those seem to get mixed reviews.

The Level.2 has tires spec'd at 27.5 x 2.1 and I'm not sure which Rhinodillo Red size would fit. They are labelled 27", does that mean they will be 1/2 inch short and leave a gap? Also they show 1 1/8 - 1 1/4 width, so they are too narrow and will offer poor protection?

Amazon.com

what are my other choices?

 

[bikesyogabat]

I see a number of posts about using sealant (which my LBS includes in their $250 flat protection), I need to do more research but it might be a second layer of protection, although it seems that the sealant needs to be replaced (the tube too?) a few times a year?

 

[addertooth]

I live in the desert land of endless thorns (goatheads). My solution was tires with a thicker Carcass (Innova Hybrid) and "Flat Out" sealant. The key to getting a sealant to work best is to get the tire spinning immediately after you pull the thorn out.

I had two flat tires in the first month and had to patch it the leaks before Flat Out was added. I have had about 6 punctures since, I simply had to pull the thorn, and then ride the bike. Only lost about 2 PSI pressure before the sealant did its duty.

But, as the eternal boyscout, I keep a portable lithium battery powered compressor and two patch kits. I also have a full tool kit, should I need to pull a wheel off. The last two eBike flats I fixed (on a wheel without sealant) did not require I remove the wheel. My tool kit includes "tire levers" for separating the tire from the rim. I find the most likely spot for the leak (discovered by pouring water over the tire and looking for bubbles), then lever off (one side) of the tire off the rim (while the wheel is still on the bike). Then I pull a section of the tube out of the gap between the partially removed tire and the rim. I pour water over it, find the leak, patch it, then stuff the tube back in. After patching, I put the tire back on the rim. Then I fully inflate the tire, then let all the air out. Then do a final inflation. This allows the tube to get all twists and bunching settled out of it.

After a couple minutes wait, I then ride the bike.

 

[rgkjdusmc]

I live in the desert land of endless thorns (goatheads). My solution was tires with a thicker Carcass (Innova Hybrid) and "Flat Out" sealant. The key to getting a sealant to work best is to get the tire spinning immediately after you pull the thorn out.

I had two flat tires in the first month and had to patch it the leaks before Flat Out was added. I have had about 6 punctures since, I simply had to pull the thorn, and then ride the bike. Only lost about 2 PSI pressure before the sealant did its duty.

But, as the eternal boyscout, I keep a portable lithium battery powered compressor and two patch kits. I also have a full tool kit, should I need to pull a wheel off. The last two eBike flats I fixed (on a wheel without sealant) did not require I remove the wheel. My tool kit includes "tire levers" for separating the tire from the rim. I find the most likely spot for the leak (discovered by pouring water over the tire and looking for bubbles), then lever off (one side) of the tire off the rim (while the wheel is still on the bike). Then I pull a section of the tube out of the gap between the partially removed tire and the rim. I pour water over it, find the leak, patch it, then stuff the tube back in. After patching, I put the tire back on the rim. Then I fully inflate the tire, then let all the air out. Then do a final inflation. This allows the tube to get all twists and bunching settled out of it.

After a couple minutes wait, I then ride the bike.

"After patching, I put the tire back on the rim. Then I fully inflate the tire, then let all the air out. Then do a final inflation. This allows the tube to get all twists and bunching settled out of it."

I have always worried about pinch flats. This is great advice that I will use going forward. IMO, the first level of flat avoidance is achieved by using really good tires. I have Schwalbe Mondial tires on my Level 2. I ride on pavement and gravel with this bike. These tires are known for durability. I changed the tubes for ones with Presta valves as it seems to me to me that Presta valves hold air better YMMV.

 

[major masingil]

I use these in my mountain bike and now ebike. Never a puncture while on a ride in all sorts of terrain 2000+ miles on mine. I live in the north east USA. I ride on trails, off road, and gravel. I don't have to worry about the major types of pokey things like goat heads and cactus though. Only 400 ish miles using them on my ebike.

You trim them to size. Make sure they are centered on your tube/in your wheel before you ride.

Amazon.com

 

[JET]

Double ended inner tubes, also called split tubes, are designed so that you can change the inner tube without taking the wheel off. I bought one for my ebike but thankfully I haven't needed to use it yet.

 

[DoofusOfThe Day]

Double ended inner tubes, also called split tubes, are designed so that you can change the inner tube without taking the wheel off. I bought one for my ebike but thankfully I haven't needed to use it yet.

Can you post link to one? Thanks.

 

[JET]

Can you post link to one? Thanks.

Mitas GAADI Tubes SV PV Open Tube Design 700c 29 27.5 26 No Wheel Removal | eBay

An open Gaadi tube with two ends will get you back on your pedals easily and quickly. Instead of laborious disassembly and assembly of your wheel, chain, brakes and gears, Gaadi can be quickly mounted into the tire.

www.ebay.com

 

[bigoilbob]

I've never had a flat with thorn resistant tubes. The problem was my laziness in not pre-emptively changing them out. Instead I carried them with me and changed them out on the fly. Why?

 

[LightningP38]

Just joined the forum, hopefully this is the right place to post, I couldn't figure how how to post in the Aventon sub-forum itself.

I purchased an Aventon Level.2, and I plan on doing gravel trail riding, eventually multi-day rides like the KT train in Missouri or the Mickelson trail in South Dakota.
I hear that it can be quite a pain to change a rear hub ebike tire in the field, and while I plan to practice in my garage before heading too far.
My LBS offer a $250 "flat protection" package with Rhinodillo thorn strips, thicker thorn tube, and orange sealant. That's a lot of money and their point is that they will repair any flat for free if you still get one, but that's not going to help me much if I'm stranded in the middle of nowhere between towns in another state.

I'm thinking about adding those thorn strips myself (about $20 on Amazon) as part of practicing servicing the bike. I'm not sure I'd want to go to the level of Tannus inserts, and those seem to get mixed reviews.

The Level.2 has tires spec'd at 27.5 x 2.1 and I'm not sure which Rhinodillo Red size would fit. They are labelled 27", does that mean they will be 1/2 inch short and leave a gap? Also they show 1 1/8 - 1 1/4 width, so they are too narrow and will offer poor protection?

Amazon.com

what are my other choices?

Schwalbe has a tack resistant tire, the Marathon Plus, that I am going to get. They also have the Marathon Plus Tour.

I have never gotten a flat tire on the other Schwalbe tire I had for my 20” recumbent front tire, and I ran it for 8,000 miles.