How to Take Good Care of Your Electric Bike?

Electric bikes make one of the absolute fun and efficient ways to get around without extracting a heavy toll on the environment but like all machines these beasts need some TLC every now and then to keep them running smoothly or like we like to say here at Ridstar, a “well-oiled machine.”

 

In this guide, we are going to drop some wisdom about maintenance on E-Bikes because so many people get one of these and it works initially and everything’s peachy keen but then you get worn out chains or maybe the gears start crunching or skipping and things like that.  

 

This guide is going to be helpful for everyone, from new E-Bike riders to people that have been riding bikes for a while that just haven’t been sure what they can do to keep their E-Bikes in tiptop condition.

 

General Care Tips

• Keep your tires pumped up. Bicycles lose tire pressure very quickly resulting in decreased range, performance and handling. If you notice any of these issues, check your tire pressure first. You can read the bike’s manual or check the side of the tire to see how much pressure you should have in there. Remember in some cases, you may need an adapter to inflate to pump up your tire at gas stations.  Additionally patch any flat tires and switch out old tubes if necessary.

 

• Keep chains clean and lubricated. This is one of those tasks that’s easy to do at home. Go ahead and switch on your OCD personality on this thing. After all, you’ve invested a couple of grand in it; don’t let it go to waste slowly. Use a chain penetrant, then apply lubricants such as Tri-flow.

 

• Maintain brakes. If your bike starts driving you nuts with squeaks, take the brake pads out and spray them down with a silencer. Additionally, don’t forget to align the adjustments on each brake pads so that the wheel spins freely and it’s not dragging. Check to ensure that the disc is not bent otherwise you need to straighten it or replace the rotor or you won’t be able to stop when your brakes adjust too loosely.

 

• Maintain derailleurs. If your gear shifting mechanism is off, you might experience problems when changing gears. For example, the chain might jump over one or more gears when you're shifting leading to skipping gears. You might also not be able to change gears like at all.  Use thumb tighteners to adjust the derailleur and also straighten the derailleur hanger (this can be done by hand). You can also perform a visual inspection to see if the chain and gear are lined up pretty perfectly.

 

• Clean your bike regularly to remove dirt and grime. Simply dip cloth in warm soapy water then wring it dry before using it to wipe down the bike. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the bike’s paintwork.

 

• Maintain cables. Keep the bike’s cables lubricated to prevent fraying. Also adjust the thumb screws near the brake levers to extend the brake housing and enhance braking when cables stretch.

 

• Store your bike in a cool dry place for the good of the battery and other components that would otherwise break down in harsh temperatures.

 

Battery Care Tips

• Keep your battery maintained. This is a no brainer. Leaving any battery to drain below 12.4V and then leaving it in that state for a while is a sure way to kill its capacity and lifespan. Always recharge your battery as soon as it drops below 20% to avoid suffocation in the plates.

 

• Avoid overcharging. Apart from letting the battery drain completely, overcharging is another sure way to kill battery cells because excess energy generates heat and also causes breakdown of internal components. Keep an eye on your bike’s while it’s plugged in so you don’t forget to unplug it when it tops up as required.

 

• Store bike in a cool place to avoid extreme heat damage to the battery

 

More Tips

• Don’t overload the motor. Avoid daredevil antics like riding up seriously steep hills or carrying too much weight on your E-Bikeslest you put excessive tension and stress on the chains and motor.

 

• Clean your motor using a damp cloth to rid off any dirt and grime and starve off corrosion.

 

• Avoid submerging the bike in water, that means keeping off waterlogged roads and areas with deep puddles.

 

• Tighten the bottom bracket and crankset to prevent loose pedal crank

 

Alright folks, these are some of the tips you need to take care of your E-Bike at home and keep it in tiptop shape. It requires a bit of effort but in the end your machine will thank you with many years of service. Also, don't overlook the importance of a good tune-up once in a while. A qualified mechanic can identify and fix issues before they take a turn for the worse.

 

We offer free tune-up services on all our E-Bikes plus a bunch of accessories to select and make your riding something to look forward to everyday. Go ahead, get one of these beasts and keep it in shape with the above-mentioned tips and our free servicing.