Like any bicycle, an electric bike requires regular maintenance. Proper cleaning and care will ensure smooth, efficient, and safe operation, leading to a longer lifespan for both the bike and its battery and motor. Given the potential cost of high-quality electric bikes, it is essential to establish a routine maintenance regimen to keep yours in optimal condition.
This guide provides instructions on maintaining your electric bike, including tips for washing, applying lubricants, conducting regular component checks, updating software and apps, and caring for the battery. If you're unsure where to begin, our beginner's guide to electric bikes offers a comprehensive introduction to the basics of ebikes.
How often should you service an electric bike?
Consult your owner's manual for suggested service levels. Some ebikes have recommended maintenance cycles programmed into the bike's display.
Due to their heavier weight and higher speeds over longer distances, ebikes generally require more frequent maintenance. It's important to regularly monitor tire wear, brake pads, chain, and drivetrain. The frequency of basic tune-ups will depend on your riding habits and conditions. Here are some general guidelines:
1. If you're an occasional rider(e.g., once a week or on weekends), regular maintenance (tune-up) once a season would probably be fine.
2. If you're a frequent riderwho commutes or uses your ebikeregularly, covering around 100-150 miles per week, consider a basic tune-up every 3 to 4 months or approximately every 1,000 miles. Regular at-home bike maintenance, such as cleaning and lubrication, can also extend the intervals between tune-ups.
Also, pay attention to noises and squeaks. ebikes aren't whisper quiet, but if you start to hear noises, rattles or squeaks, or sounds that aren't typical, that's also another good time to bring it into a shop. Regular bike maintenance can help prevent these issues from developing.
Take good care of your tires
Having a motor plus a battery, as well as a beefier frame to support those components, makes ebikes far heavier than conventional bikes. So it's important to ensure you have a good set of tires underneath your ebike:
-Keep tires inflated properly. Check psi levels and top tires off before each ride because underinflated tires don't roll efficiently nor support your bike well.
-Know how to fix a flat. On a bike with a mid-drive motor, flat repair is the same as it is on a conventional bike. Hub-drive motors are more complex, though, requiring you to know how to disconnect and reconnect all the electric connections involved.
-Learn steps you can take to avoid getting a flat because it's simpler than having to fix one in the field. Wrangling a heavy ebike, too, can make even simple flat repairs more difficult.
-Get replacement tires made for ebikes. They have sturdy sidewalls, good traction and some puncture resistance, all good qualities when it's time to retire your tires with worn tread. (Brands like Continental, Michelin, Schwalbe and Kenda have been making "e-tires" for years.)
Take good care of your brakes
A bike that's both heavy and fast (pretty much all ebikes) needs to have adequate stopping power:
Regularly check and adjust the brakes. Before each ride, look for obvious issues like loose parts or excessive rotor and pad wear. Between rides, do a more thorough brake inspection. If you're not comfortable performing maintenance beyond the examination phase, then have your shop inspect and do needed brake repairs.
Replace brake pads and rotors promptly. Check manufacturer specs for the wear level that signals the need for replacement.
Take good care of your chain
Your chain gets a high level of general wear and tear, thanks again to the mass and speed of an ebike. Because of tolerances within drivetrain components, chains can only be so beefy, too. So keep a close eye on the chain and service it regularly:
Clean and lubricate your chain regularly. You want the lube to remain inside the chain to minimize grit and grime from building up on the surface. That usually involves wiping the chain off with a rag to remove old oil and dirt, and applying fresh lube sparingly. Then wipe off as much excess lube as you can because it will just attract more grit. (Lubes designated as “dry” are a good option for fair-weather riders.)
Regularly check and repair or replace the chain. A chain wear indicator tool is easy to use and will alert you to when it's time to replace the chain before the rest of the drivetrain suffers from too much wear.
Battery charging and storage
It may seem impossible to care for a sealed battery, but there are numerous ways to keep your ebike battery in tip-top condition.
All lithium-ion batteries gradually deteriorate and lose capacity over time. This might only amount to around 5 per cent of maximum charge per year, but is to be expected. Taking good care of the battery, storing it correctly and keeping it charged will help ensure a long life.
1.ebike battery cleaning
If you disconnect your battery regularly, take the opportunity to clean it with a damp cloth and brush any dirt off the connections with a dry brush.
Clean and lightly grease the battery contacts occasionally, too. Never clean the battery with a high-pressure jet wash or high-pressure hose.
2.Charging and storing an ebike battery
Charge the battery at room temperature in a dry location. To improve the lifespan of your battery, avoid leaving the battery fully charged or fully discharged for long periods of time.
When the bike is out of use for an extended period, you can disconnect the battery. It will gradually lose charge, so still top it up every now and again.
As we've already said, avoid storing the bike for long periods of time with no charge – maintaining 30 to 60 per cent charge is ideal for long-term storage, according to ebike systems manufacturer Bosch.
Extreme heat and cold are the enemies of electric bike batteries. Store your ebike battery in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
During winter, and particularly if the temperature is below 0℃, charge and store the battery at room temperature, and re-insert the battery into the bike immediately before riding.
3.Use the correct charger
While some battery chargers may seem compatible with several bikes, you should only use the charger specific to yours. Batteries don't always charge in the same way, so using an incorrect charger could damage your ebike battery.
4.Software and app updates
Most ebike system manufacturers release software and app updates; some occasionally, others frequently.
As well as logging ride statistics and other useful information, some proprietary ebike apps or built-in displays can allow you to tailor the performance of your bike.
This might mean adjusting the power settings (so that, say, the maximum assistance setting delivers less power and, therefore, uses less battery) or acceleration characteristics.
Reducing the output settings so the battery discharges more gradually can extend the battery's life, although you'll have to work harder to get up the hills.
You might also be able to get system health or maintenance updates from your ebike's app or built-in display, which may show you information such as service intervals.
It may be possible to check if there are any firmware updates available through connected apps or by visiting the manufacturer's website. Some brands recommend you visit an authorised dealership for any updates to be made.
Depending on the motor brand and system your bike is running, these firmware updates might help boost torque, extend battery life or provide other useful upgrades, so it's well worth checking if there are any available updates for your ebike.
5.Process error code
Finally, sometimes ebikes can display error codes that stop the motor from engaging. The reasons for these errors vary but can usually be easily fixed. You can visit the store where the bike was purchased or take the bike to a reputable local shop/dealer.
Maximize Battery Range
Want to extend the range of your battery on a ride? Here are a few tips for getting more out of your electric bike.
1.Cadence – riding with a cadence above 50 revolutions per minute is more battery-efficient than riding with a lower cadence
2.Weight – reduce the load on your bike, increased weight will put a greater strain on your battery
3.Ride efficiently – reduce the amount you brake or stop
4.Tyre pressure – like a regular bike, optimise tyre pressure to balance grip, comfort and rolling resistance
5.Technology – some ebike display will tell you how much battery power you are consuming, so you can adapt your riding style accordingly
6.Temperature – riding in cold conditions will place more strain on a battery and reduce range as a result
How to wash an electric bike
We've already covered the importance of keeping your bike clean to improve its efficiency and lifespan, but let's take a closer look at how to wash an electric bike.
Electric bike motors and batteries are sealed units and, therefore, shouldn't let in any water, but you should avoid washing any bicycle – electric or not – with a powerful jet wash because the power of the water could force its way through the bike's numerous seals.
Wash your ebike with water from a bucket or low-pressure hose, a brush and (optionally) a bike-specific cleaning product to quickly cut through dirt and grime.
Ensure that all connections remain sealed by leaving the battery in its housing, but turn the ebike system off before washing it (and unplug it from the charger).
Charging ports can accumulate dirt, so check inside and brush out any mud with a dry cloth or brush. Keep the port closed when washing the bike.
After washing the bike, dry it off with a clean cloth, making sure to avoid the disc brakes (you don't want to accidentally contaminate them with any oil or other cleaning products used elsewhere on the bike).
Every now and then you might want to give the battery contacts a clean. You can do this with a soft, dry brush, a cloth and (optionally) switch lubricant.
If your bike has a range-extender battery (an optional second battery that can be connected for longer rides), you should always disconnect it before cleaning and clean the connections with a soft, dry brush.
Your ebike may have a speed sensor magnet on its wheel. Clean this with a soft cloth to avoid any problems.
Waterproofing and repairs
As mentioned above, the battery and motor of an ebike are well sealed to prevent any water damage. That doesn't mean it's absolutely impossible for water to get in, but with a certain level of common sense and care, you won't need to worry.
Things to avoid with an electric bike include using a jet wash and fully submerging the bike. No lake jumps then, sorry!
The motor itself is in a factory-sealed unit and you should never attempt to take it apart for maintenance or to try and fix a problem.
If it seems like there is something wrong with the motor or system, visit the store where the bike was purchased or take the bike to a reputable dealer/local shop. Some electric bike insurance policies cover loss or damage to your ebike's battery.
By keeping on top of some basic maintenance, your ebike will keep you grinning from ear to ear. So, to wrap things up, here's a recap of the basics of ebike maintenance:
1.Keep your bike clean, the drivetrain well lubricated and the tyres properly inflated
2.Regularly check for tires, brakes, chain
3.Keep the battery partially charged and store it in a cool, dry place
4.Avoid storing the bike with a flat battery
5.Charge the battery only with the correct charger
6.Check regularly for software updates
If there is a fault, Never try to take apart, or fix the motor or battery yourself.