A Complete Checklist for Maintaining Your E-Bike
Updated: Dec. 08, 2023
Your safety and your E-bike's lifespan depend on proper maintenance. Luckily, it's not too complicated. Here's how to keep it riding smoothly.
E-Bike vs. Traditional Bike Maintenance
An E-bike should keep you happily zooming around town for many years. But just like any vehicle, regular maintenance is needed to keep it operating smoothly and safely throughout its lifetime.
Regular maintenance on an e-bike vs a regular bike is particularly important because it is heavier and goes faster than your peddle-powered ride, which in turn puts more strain on its components. Even though I’ve had high-end mountain bikes for most of my life, when I first pedaled into the E-bike world, I was nervous. I knew little about batteries and electrical systems.
What I quickly learned, however, is that maintaining my E-bike isn’t a whole lot different from taking care of my childhood Schwinn cruiser or my modern-day mountain bike — with a few important exceptions: the battery, electric motor, speed control mechanism, display screen and charging circuit.
Here’s a complete checklist for maintaining your E-bike.
Clean
Clean your bike regularly to prevent wear to components and to keep them moving smoothly. Remove any build-up of dirt or other debris from the:
- Frame,
- Wheels,
- Derailleur (if you have one),
- Brake components, and
- Chain.
Most things you can just wipe with a clean rag. It’s okay to use a soft-bristle brush and some fresh water if you need to, but do not use high-pressure water or spray water directly into or around any electrical components. While you are cleaning, check for parts that may be loose or in need of repair or adjustment.
Lubricate
Lubricate moving parts as designated in your service manual, with a lubricant recommended by the manufacturer. This can usually be as simple as mineral oil or WD-40, but you might try a more nature-friendly alternative, such as Gear Hugger. This will keep everything running smoothly and prevent corrosion. Pay attention to the:
- Chain (use a chain-specific lubricant to prolong the life of your chain and chainrings),
- Derailleur,
- Gear shifter (on the handlebars),
- Brake lever components (but be sure not to get lube on the brake levers where it may make them slippery to your hands when you go to brake),
- Seat adjustment lever, and
- Other components and accessories that have moving parts, as needed.
Inspect and Adjust
As mentioned earlier, the extra weight and torque of E-bikes puts more strain on the components, or moving parts, of your E-bike. Regularly inspect your major components, and especially look for:
- Brake pad wear,
- Chain stretch,
- Chainring wear,
- Headset tightness (hold your front brake and rock the bike backward and forward to make sure there’s no play),
- Damage to rims,
- Proper tire air pressure, and
- Tire wear or damage.
As with any new bicycle, it’s normal for the brake and derailleur cables to stretch. Typically the manufacturer will recommend taking it into a shop to have them adjusted, after you ride it a designated amount of miles. But if your brakes start to feel mushy or the bike stops shifting smoothly, that’s a sign that the cables probably need adjusting.
Maintain the Battery
To get the maximum life out of your battery, recharge your E-bike after each ride. If you are not planning on riding it again for two weeks or more, check manufacturer guidelines for storage. Currently, most recommend putting the bike in storage mode (if available) with the battery charged at around 80%. Check the charge level every two weeks, and if it drops below 75%, charge it back up to 80%. But be sure to follow manufacturer instructions, as battery technologies are evolving quickly and requirements could change.
Store It in a Mild Environment
E-bike display panels are typically LED, which should not be stored in direct sunlight. I use a sock to protect mine, and it works effectively. Also, you should ideally store your e-bike in a shaded, cool environment. E-Bike batteries (which have a lithium battery chemistry) can be damaged if they get too hot or cold. Typically, that means a range of 32 to 100 degrees, but it’s important to check your specific manufacturer’s recommendations to maximize both the longevity of the battery and your safety.
Don’t DIY E-Parts
Any work on E-bike electrical components should absolutely be left to professionals who are trained to work on them. Use a shop approved by your E-bike manufacturer or other reputable dealers or repair shops. Also, beware of inexpensive aftermarket components, especially batteries. Try to replace your batteries with manufacturer-approved ones, and if those aren’t available, ask for UL-certified ones. Inferior batteries are a fire and safety hazard and a leading cause of e-bike fires.
Get a Tuneup
It’s a good idea to take your E-bike to a shop every now and then for a tuneup. If you’re a heavy commuter, that should be every 1,000 miles or so. If you ride less than that, at least get it checked by the pros once a year. Also, if you are in a crash or hit a curb hard, it’s a good idea to take the bike to a shop for inspection.
Originally Published: July 18, 2023
