Feb 22, 2022

E-Bike Maintenance Tips That Can't Be Missed

The Battery Is The Lifeline of Ebikes

All our ebike batteries can be charged hundreds of times and will last for years. There is no danger of overcharging the battery, so it’s perfectly fine to charge your battery any chance you have to “top it off”, not just when it is low. The red light on the charger indicates that it’s charging and it will turn green when it’s done. There’s no danger of overcharging it because just like your mobile phone, the charger is smart enough to not overcharge and automatically stops charging when full. If you are not using your ebike for an extended period of time, such as seasonal periods in your region where you can't ride for months, it’s best to not have it continually charging and ensure you store it properly. Ebike batteries are impacted by external temperatures, so you will see a drop in mileage range in colder weather. Proper storage is really important to the health of the battery and your safety, so ensure temperatures aren't too hot or too cold when storing the battery. Don’t leave your ebike battery in high temperatures (like the trunk of your car in a Phoenix summer) for long periods. These accessories should also be stored in dry places to prevent water damage. And it goes without saying that the more you use pedal assist, the shorter the range you will get from the battery. As with all batteries, batteries will deteriorate over time and will no longer hold a charge the same as when they were new.

The Drivetrain Is The Life of the Ebike Party

This is the ebike crankset, chain, and the rear derailleur. The drivetrain is probably the most frequently used area of your ebike. Depending on how much pedal assist you’re using, you are turning the pedals between 50 to 100 times per minute. And depending on how much you shift, your rear derailleur can be used quite often. This is why it’s important to clean your drivetrain and keep it well-lubricated to reduce friction which will cut down on wear and tear on your chain. It’s best to clean your ebike drivetrain at least once a week if you ride regularly. And if you’re riding in bad weather such as rain, it’s better to clean even more often to minimize rust. For simple and easy cleaning, all you have to do is use an old towel and wipe down the chain and crankset. For a deeper and more thorough cleaning, you should use a chain degreaser that’s made specifically for bikes. There are chain degreaser kits available for purchase, that make the job easier. You can follow the cleaning instructions in those kits. We do not recommend using household cleaners or degreasers as they can damage the chain. After your chain is cleaned, you can apply a thin coat of bike chain lubricant. Don’t over lubricate your chain as that will cause it to collect more dirt from the road. It would be a good idea at this time to also inspect the shifting cables on your ebike. Cables do stretch over time, so they should be adjusted to optimize smooth shifting. However, this task might be a bit more difficult for those who are not mechanically inclined, so we recommend taking your ebike to a bike shop for this aspect of e-bike maintenance.

Keep the Wheels & Tires Spinning

All of our ebikes come with heavy duty wheels and tires made specifically for ebikes that require very little maintenance. Similar to car tires, you should periodically check the tire pressure to ensure they're properly inflated. The recommended tire pressure (known as PSI) is displayed on the tires. You should visually check the tires before each ride and pump more air using a floor pump each week or as needed - tires do naturally lose air over time, and especially in more extreme temperatures. This doesn’t mean that you have a flat tire or puncture. All our ebike tires come with a schrader valve, the same ones on car tires, so that means you can also use the air pressure pumps at gas stations. Ebike tires are designed to tackle different types of road conditions over time, and eventually they will wear out with regular use. Depending on factors such as the miles you ride, your riding style, and road and weather conditions, you will need to replace the tires. We recommend that you have them replaced at a bike shop as they will have the correct tires and equipment to do that for you. Replacing worn tires is not only good for the ebike, but also safer for you to minimize the risk of a puncture resulting in a flat that might leave you stranded while riding. It’s also a good idea to do a quick visual inspection of your wheels before each ride to make sure no wheel spokes are damaged (our spokes are high grade stainless steel) and all the electronic cables are connected at the hub motor.

Take Care of Your Brakes and They’ll Take Care of You

All of our ebikes are equipped with high quality brakes for amazing stopping power, but it’s always a great idea to visually inspect them before each ride. Look for any loose parts and/or cables and make sure the brake pads and rotors are not worn out. You can also hold both brake levers and rock your ebike back and forth to make sure that they are engaging properly. If you feel the brakes are slipping as you hold down the levers, we recommend that you take your ebike to a bike shop to have them perform a more thorough inspection. They will also replace worn out brake pads and rotors if necessary. We don’t recommend you do this yourself at home unless you have the technical know-how and experience. If your brakes are hydraulic, you should have the mechanic at the bike shop inspect the hydraulics at this time. Another inspection you can do is to simply make sure that the brake calipers are firmly attached to the bike frame. If they wiggle when you touch them, you can tighten the bolts yourself. If the rotors are not spinning freely along the brake calipers, this might mean they are rubbing against the brake calipers. We recommend you have a bike shop mechanic handle this repair.

The Rest of the Important Parts

Last, but just as important, are the rest of the ebike’s components and parts. On a weekly basis, you should check to make sure that all the nuts and bolts are attached firmly as they do come loose over time with continuous use. Ebikes do have many moving parts and contact points that can cause friction. To reduce friction, make sure all parts such as the stem, handlebars, seatpost, steer tube, and pedals are properly tightened and greased using a bike grease or lubricant. All our ebikes are properly greased out of the box, but over time, grease will wear out and it’s best to re-grease the parts to avoid friction and prolong the parts’ longevity.