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 Clean

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. 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. Dawn soap works well also.

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.
• 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 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. The chain of your bike will need to be cleaned and lubricated on a frequent interval. 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 is not to let it contaminate the disc brakes on your bike. Apply strategically so not to splash the rotor and after every application, use a soft cloth to wipe off the excess lubricant.

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.

Some bearings on the bike will need occassional cleaning and greasing. This process is usually done during a yearly tune up and wont require the rider/owner to keep grease on hand unless they are doing their own services.

Good Habits for a Longer Battery Life

Without any doubt, the battery is the most important part of your electric bike. It is essentially the heart of your bike and a healthy heart requires good care. 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 to 75°F.  Avoid the battery’s exposure to direct sunlight whenever possible.
• The charger of the battery is also important, make sure you use the right charger to charge the battery and do so in the same temperatures outlined above.
• Do not leave a battery attached to a charger long term. Unplug the charger soon after its done charging a battery.
• Make sure to let a charger complete a full charge cycle in order to balance the cells inside. This means you need to let the charger light turn from red to green.
• Do not store a battery at full charge. Ideally it should be between 40-60% charged when stored.

Taking Care of Your Brakes

The most importnat component on your eBike are the brakes. It is important that they function properly for saef operation of your bike.

Mechanical brakes will require more frequent adjustments but they are easier/faster to do. Over time and with regular use brake pads wear out and cables stretch. This will require a rider to adjust cable tension and do a caliper adjustment, both of witch can be done with basic hex tools.

As for the hydraulic disc brakes, it is all about the hydraulic fluid that goes into the brake mechanism. As the pads wear, no adjustment is needed, so you dont do maintenance often. Most brands claim this should be done yearly, however that is rarely adhered to. 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 requires a bleed kit for your brakes and is best left to a shop if you have not done it before.

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. Check your pads periodically to ge an idea of how fast your brake habits wear through pads. That way you can replace the pads before they have worn the rotor.

Servicing your Electric Bike

Taking your electric bike for service depends how regular you make use of the bike. For average riders an annual full bike service is advised; high mileage riders might need 2+ tune ups. The things that need regular servicing will be the mechanical parts, while the electric components dont need any servicing unless there is a problem to rectify.

To Summarize

Proper cleaning and maintenance of your EVELO electrical bike does not take much, but it should be done regularly to maintain the best performance. The rewards to be reaped from proper maintenance comes over time, you will realise it when the yearly tune up cost is mostly a labor charge and doesnt including replacement parts as well.