Top Electric Bike Maintenance Tips

The future looks electric both literally and as well as figuratively, and if you want to get there on your well-maintained electric bike in top condition, here are some basic maintenance standards that you will have to keep in mind to take good care of your electric bike.

With good maintenance of your electric bike, not only will you be able to increase its lifespan, but more significantly, you will be able to enjoy the rides without any fear or worry if the bike breaks down on some hot and forsaken country road.

This article will provide you with all the information and tips that you will need to take care and maintain your electric bike. By the end of reading this article you will go from being a novice to becoming an expert in all things regarding the maintenance of electric bikes.

Keeping it Spick and Span

One of the first rules in the book of electric bike maintenance is keeping the bike clean. The muck, dirt and grime that the bike accumulates after a day’s ride should be promptly got rid of. As the saying goes ‘water is the best medicine’ use of water for every day cleaning is the simplest and the most effective way to go about the electric bike cleaning process. Use of shampoo and detergent is recommended as long as they are for bikes.

Here are a few important things to remember while cleaning your electric bike –

Always remove your battery before you start cleaning.
Never use a pressure valve or a pressure hose for the cleaning, as water may penetrate some sensitive areas where they are not welcome.
To get rid stubborn and persistent dirt use a brush with sturdy bristles.
If you have removable displays removing them before is advised otherwise cover it with a piece of cloth or plastic.
For a more comprehensive cleaning and to make the whole cleaning process easier you could use an accessorised bike cleaning kit, which comes with all the instruments required for a clean job.

Use of Lubricants and Grease

The use of lubricants and grease is highly advised if you have an ebike with a chain, as it will help reduce the resistance on all the moving parts and the key joints on your bike, you would not want your electric bike to be scrapped off due to rheumatism or arthritis. On a serious note, the chain of your bike will need to be lubricated and greased as frequently as possible, on a daily basis would be just great. Not only will the lubricants enhance the smoothness of your rides but also add longevity to all the moving parts that endure the most resistance and friction.

One very important thing to keep in mind while using lubricants and grease is not to let it contaminate the battery. So, after every application, use a soft cloth to wipe off the excess lubricant or grease.

If your ebike is equipped with a belt drive, lubrication of the belt is not needed, but it should be kept clean: removing any dirt or mud, and ensuring that no sticks or leaves have been caught in the belt.

Good Habits for a longer Battery Life.

Without any doubt, the battery forms the most important part of your electric bike. It is essentially the heart of your bike and a healthy heart requires good care and constant attention. Considering the fact that the battery is the most expensive part of the bike, it makes more sense to see to its proper maintenance so that you will not have to get it replaced more often than you would want to.

For the storage of batteries at very cold or very hot temperatures, in other words temperature extremes should be avoided at all costs. The ideal temperature for the storage of the battery of your electrical bike is at a room temperature of approximately 50°F (10°C) to 68°F (20°C).
The charger of the battery is also important, make sure you use the right charger to charge the battery.
Avoid the battery’s exposure to direct sunlight whenever possible.
One interesting thing about batteries that most tend to overlook is the charging pattern or the ideal amount of charge that a battery should have. The battery should be charged to 100% only for the first time, from then on 30% to 60% is the ideal charge percentage that your battery should have. A good charging habit goes a long way increasing the life expectancy of a battery.

Taking care of your Brakes.

The two popular brake mechanisms that come with electric bikes are mechanical brakes and hydraulic disc brakes. The maintenance of the former mechanical brakes is fairly easy and straightforward.

Most often the issues on mechanical brakes are caused by a shift in the tension of the brake cable. Over time and with regular use some wear and tear are expected. In the case of electric bikes with mechanical brakes, the brake cables tend to stretch, which can be easily fixed by tightening them up.

As for the hydraulic disc brakes, it is all about the hydraulic fluid that goes into the brake mechanism. To know when to replace them you have to pay close attention to the feel that the brake is generating. If you get a thick spongy feeling, then it’s a sign that the fluid has run its course and that it is time to replace the fluid. Replacing the fluid is a simple and an easy undertaking and if you have the replacement hydraulic fluid at hand you can do it yourself. You just have to bleed the old fluid and pour in the new one.

One common denominator to both the mechanical brakes and the hydraulic disc brakes is the brake pad. As natural it is, the more you use your brakes the faster the material on the brake pad will wear out, not implying that you should not use your brakes at all, just that your brake habits will give you an indication of when it is time to have your brake pads changed.

When it comes to electric bike maintenance jobs, the changing of brake pads is one of the most fundamental and straightforward tasks in electric bike maintenance. For mechanical brakes the procedure is fairly simple and easy, all that is involved is removing the wheels of the bike, then loosening the retaining pin that holds the pads onto the calliper before replacing them with the new ones.

For hydraulic disc brakes, you will be required to push the pistons back. Occasionally, pushing the pistons back can prove to be a bit difficult, but once you have accomplished that the process of replacing them with new ones is the same as with mechanical brake pads. You just have to make sure that you have the right tools for the job.

Servicing your Electric Bike

Taking your electric bike for service depends how regular you make use of the bike. For regular rides an annual full bike service is advised. In terms of electronic and mechanical you can have them serviced as and when the need arises.

To Summarize

Seems that we have covered most of the important parts of an electric bike and their care, to wrap it up here a few additional tips for the better maintenance of your electrical bike.

Do not let dirt accumulate on your bike over a long period of time.
During winters, remember to remove the battery and display and store them in a dry place.
To avoid jamming of the moving parts and chain especially during the cold months have them regularly greased and lubricated, even if the bike is not being used.
Use of cleaning and other bike care products from specialist stores is highly recommended.
While using lubricant on the drive chain, make sure that none of the liquid gets into the disc brake.
After every wash, do a short function check on the workings of your electric bike, the battery, the drive, the response of the buttons and the like.

You see, a proper maintenance of your electrical bike does not take much, all that it requires is a bit of your time and application. The rewards to be reaped from proper maintenance comes over time, you will realise it when you have made your arrival in the electric future.

In case you have any queries regarding the maintenance of your electrical bike or anything to do with electrical bikes, accessories and maintenance products you can get in touch with us directly at – 877-991-7272 (open 7 days a week), or write to us at - contact@evelo.com. Till then ride safe!