E-bike maintenance is not different from the maintenance needed for conventional bikes. Most of the electronic parts require little to no maintenance.
However, because e-bikes are ridden faster and farther, they require keener and more frequent care. Deflated tires, dirt in gears, and so many other problems can slow your bike and consequently damage the battery by making it work harder.
Unlike fueled-powered vehicles and bicycles, e-bikes have very few moving parts and don’t need frequent replacement of spark plugs and air filters. This makes e-bike maintenance much easier.
Servicing and Maintaining Your Electric Bike
Use a Manual
New e-bikes usual come with their manuals. The manual lays out all the setup and maintenance procedures you need. For instance, it’ll direct you on how to set up and charge your battery before using it.
In addition, you can join electric bike forums to interact and exchange maintenance and user experiences with other e-bike riders. These electric bike conversation forums will also provide you with credible information and how to use the e-bike properly and where to get the best servicing and repairs.
If for any reason you don’t have the manual, look for it on brand pages.
Electric Bike Maintenance
For you to squeeze all the fun out of your e-bike, there are some simple steps you can take to keep it in excellent condition without taking it to the dealers.
Here are tips to guide you along:
- Clean your e-bike after every ride.
- Never use a jet wash on your e-bike, it not only drives out lubricants from the bearings, but also compresses water into the bike’s interiors. The water, in turn, corrodes critical components.
- If you’re cleaning you e-bike using a high-power hose, make sure no water reaches the bottom bracket, headset, hubs, or any part that needs constant greasing.
- Don’t let your chain dry. After cleaning, lubricate your chain using the recommended chain oil. Use wet lube during the winter and dry lube over summer. Go to e-bike forums and look for the best products by checking comparing electric bike kit reviews on the platform.
- Don’t use lubricants that remain wet on your cables. This will allow dust to stick to it and cause your cable to clutch and present many more problems.
- Use shine bike products that leave a protective layer over your paintwork. This will keep your bike looking new for a long time to come. However, keep this product off braking components!
- When you’re not riding, keep your e-bike in a cool, dry place – preferably your garage.
- Always keep your tires properly inflated. This protects them from uneven wear. It also makes your ride more enjoyable since your bike moves with little resistance. With less resistance, your e-bike uses less power and extends its range.
Battery and Motor Maintenance
Today, a lot of the motors are sealed and unserviceable. This means that if it stops working, you’ll have to replace it rather than repairing it.
However, but you could join e-bike forums and electric bike networks to learn more about keeping your motor in good condition and sharing your insights.
It’s the same case with batteries.
But, there are a few actions you can take to ensure your battery serves you for longer.
For instance, you should not leave your battery discharged for a long period. Ensure you fully charge it after every ride.
You should also not leave it in the scorching sun or in extremely cold temperatures for an extended period. A lot of battery problems are as a result of these issues.
Modern lithium batteries should always be fully charged when not in use. If you only go for short commutes, it’s smarter to have the battery charged after every ride.
If your battery is deteriorating, you can have its capacity checked by a reputable e-bike shop in your area. Also, don’t leave your battery in a shed for too long, regularly take it through a full reconditioning cycle.
To take a lithium battery through a full conditioning cycle, you should drain it completely and then charge it up entirely. Do it twice for best results.
Schedule Your E-Bike Servicing and Maintenance Today!
The frequency of your servicing and maintenance depends on how frequently you ride and the conditions you ride in.
An e-bike that only used for recreational rides and short trips need less maintenance than that that makes long off-road trips.
However, regardless of the use, it is recommended to perform proper maintenance after every few months.
Ride safely!
