RadRunner 1 - Delicate tires

[rookervt]

I've had my RadRunner for 3 weeks now and have already experienced two flat tires on the rear. Both have occurred while riding on very popular local rail-trails - one gravel/cinder, the other tarred. The first flat was an old nail - not much you can do about that. The second, though, was a small wire - about the thickness of a standard office staple. I thought these tires would be tougher than this.
What are others experiencing? Are there any mitigation strategies I can employ to help? With the non-standard tire size, it seems my options are limited.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

[Ryan]

It does seem odd. We have over 3400 miles on our RadWagon and have yet to get a flat. Check out the Tires/Tire parts section of my accessories list. Get some Tuffy liners and/or Slime. I would imagine you could cut the Tuffy liners to length but to be honest I don't have personal experience since we've never had issues: https://www.radowners.com/index.php/topic,104.0.html

[992023515]

Try dropping the tire pressure to about 25 psi. Smother ride and less likely to be punctured. I've had the runner since March and no punctures yet (knock on wood).

[stain007]

I have had 1 flat and at the time I had trouble finding a replacement and Rad takes you to the cleaners on tubes.  A tube from Rad is $15 and then shipping is $12.  If you buy more than 1 it is still $12 per tube.  $27 per tube is a lot of $$.  Look for cheaper options on Amazon and stock up.  25 PSI is a good idea

[RadJohn]

I just put a stick through the tread of a "puncture resistant" Kenda K-Rad  20 x 3.3" tire, riding in the woods,  15 miles from home, and now I'm WAY more impressed with the capabilities of Park TB-2 Emergency Tire Boots and GP-2 Super Patches (multiples!) than I am with the tires, but I can reveal the inner belting of those Kendas is sheathed in a really pretty shade of green rubber, but once you see it, you're screwed.

[Bob Mc]

I've had two goat head flats, Center of the tire, only 5mm long.

[Dan B]

On the Radrover, can u use any 26 x 4 inner tube with correct valve stem or is a Rad tube something special??

[Jman]

Delicate indeed, a 1/8 inch twig went straight through mine.

[Ryan]

On the Radrover, can u use any 26 x 4 inner tube with correct valve stem or is a Rad tube something special??

Any tube will do! I just added some Mongoose ones to the accessories list though perhaps you can find some cheaper: https://ebikeescape.com/electric-bike-accessories/

The kicker on the ones Rad sells is the shipping (usually $10).

[petern]

We have had our RadRunners for two months now and are happy with them, EXCEPT we have incurred three flats in the last week. One nail, one tack, and a thorn. The tires are supposedly "Puncture Resistant". The first flat we were 17 miles from home and I had to pay $280 for a tow truck to come get us. After doing some research the next morning I read about Slime Tube Sealant. Called my local hardware store, they had a bottle. I followed the instructions and a YouTube video and fixed the tube/tire in about 10 minutes and the tire has held its air ever since. The stuff is amazing. So I went out and bought 4 bottles, we carry two on each bike. The next two flats I repaired while we were on the road. I recommend that every RadRunner owner carry two 8 ounce bottles (or one 16oz, it takes 8 oz to fill a RadRunner tube), a pair of pliers (to remove nail, etc., I carry a small Leatherman multi-tool) and a hand pump with them at all times. No more flats, or at least a sure-fire way to fix them quickly.

[Ryan]

We have had our RadRunners for two months now and are happy with them, EXCEPT we have incurred three flats in the last week. One nail, one tack, and a thorn. The tires are supposedly "Puncture Resistant". The first flat we were 17 miles from home and I had to pay $280 for a tow truck to come get us. After doing some research the next morning I read about Slime Tube Sealant. Called my local hardware store, they had a bottle. I followed the instructions and a YouTube video and fixed the tube/tire in about 10 minutes and the tire has held its air ever since. The stuff is amazing. So I went out and bought 4 bottles, we carry two on each bike. The next two flats I repaired while we were on the road. I recommend that every RadRunner owner carry two 8 ounce bottles (or one 16oz, it takes 8 oz to fill a RadRunner tube), a pair of pliers (to remove nail, etc., I carry a small Leatherman multi-tool) and a hand pump with them at all times. No more flats, or at least a sure-fire way to fix them quickly.

Have you tried a patch kit to try and save the tubes? I know some people have trouble with flats but over 3,500 miles on our RadWagon and I have still yet to put in a new tube. Original tires and these don't have the enhanced protection like the more recent models have.

[how]

Not sure about the rad runner (because I have the Rad rover) but Tannus armor protection offers a 15mm foam spacing between the tire and the innertube so only something longer than 15mm can cause a flat.

[Jman]

Can't use Tannus armor on the Radrunner since they don't make that size yet.