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So you’ve just bought a brand new electric bike, and you’re excited to get out and ride. Even though it’s not as exciting as hitting the road, it’s essential to get on the proper maintenance schedule and routine from the very beginning. This includes pre-ride maintenance, post-ride maintenance, regular maintenance schedules, and making necessary repairs as needed.
This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about keeping your new e-bike in tip-top shape throughout the years.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The secret to successfully owning an electric bike isn’t in the amazing rides you take. Instead, the secret lies in comprehensive and timely maintenance. Keep in mind there are some accessories you can buy that will help make maintenance easier. A clean cloth, for example, can help wipe away excess lube and dirt from the frame. Also, check the pressure gauge to keep your tires properly inflated.
Rain covers, such as an electric bike battery rain cover are another example of key accessories. This can be especially important if you wired your own battery to ensure proper protection. Additionally, water damage can occur due to bad weather conditions, which necessitates the need for regular bike cleaning supplies. These include water-resistant lubricants and cleaners that are specifically designed to clean a bicycle without causing any damage. Such items can help keep your bike in top condition even through the worst weather conditions.
Insider Tip
The secret to successfully owning an electric bike isn’t in the amazing rides you take. Instead, the secret lies in comprehensive and timely maintenance.
Proper e-bike maintenance starts before you even hit the road. If you don’t perform a comprehensive pre-check on your bike’s condition before you ride, you may exacerbate existing problems. Using a basic set of bike tools, you can inspect your bike’s components and chain, ensuring everything is working correctly. This routine inspection can help you identify any areas in need of service or replacement to keep your e-bike running smoothly.
Keep in mind that different aspects of your bike will require different maintenance methods. For example, there is a difference in how you maintain a belt vs chain drive for an electric bike. Use the following list to complete your pre-ride check:
After any ride, you should always do a post-ride check to ensure your bike remains in good condition. Use the following list to perform your post-ride check:
After any ride, you should always do a post-ride check to ensure your bike remains in good condition.
Like traditional bicycles, your electric bike needs regular maintenance that goes deeper than the standard pre- and post-ride checks. We recommend creating weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance schedules. Our recommendations are as follows:
Every week, you should be performing these maintenance tasks:
Warning
If you don’t perform a comprehensive pre-check on your bike’s condition before you ride, you may exacerbate existing problems.
Every month, you should perform a more in-depth and comprehensive inspection and tuneup, including the following tasks:
Every year, or after 6,000 miles, you should do a complete overhaul of your electric bike. This includes disassembling the bike entirely, cleaning all components, and cleaning everything. During your overhaul, you may find components that need to be repaired or replaced. We recommend repairing or replacing them immediately. If you ride more often, you may need to perform an overhaul more regularly. That’s also important just to ensure your e-bike is still street legal.
STAT: 82% of Americans are concerned about the proper education surrounding bike safety and maintenance. (source)
While having a regular maintenance schedule is necessary, there may also be times when repairs and maintenance need to happen outside of the schedule. Things like flat tires, worn-out brake pads, and damaged chains should all be repaired immediately. This way, you can keep riding safely. If you notice damage or issues during your pre- and post-ride checks, we recommend waiting to ride until the problems have been fixed. Or if you opt for a new one, learn more about e-bike sizes and how to get the right size for you. Additionally, you can check out Giant vs Specialized for a comparison of two highly regarded ebike manufacturers.
How should you store your e-bike after a ride?
Before storing your e-bike, you should clean it and dry it off, if necessary. Then, store it in a clean and dry environment with access to an electrical outlet to charge the battery.
Can I ride my electric bike in the rain?
Yes, because most electric bikes are water-resistant. However, you should dry off the bike after riding in the rain.
How often does my bike need maintenance?
You should perform regular maintenance on your e-bike to ensure it stays in the best shape possible.
What checks should you do before riding?
Before riding, you should do a visual inspection of your e-bike to ensure all parts are in good condition and safe to ride.
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