In many ways, maintaining an electric bicycle is similar to maintaining a non-assisted bike. The drivetrain (cranks, sprockets, and chain) is susceptible to more vital forces and wear than other components. Therefore, washing the bike frequently and keeping it in good condition is crucial if you want to get the most out of the bike.
First and foremost, a happy bike is a clean bike. Dirt and muck cause components to wear out more quickly, and when combined with grease and water, they can create a paste that, at best, reduces your bike’s performance and, at worst, quickly wears out consumable parts.
Your electric bike kit will be more effective and have longer-lasting major components if it performs more smoothly.
Keep Your Drivetrain Clean and in Good Working Condition
If all of your gears are skipping and grinding against one another, the power output and life of your battery are pointless, so make sure that your drivetrain is clean and in good operating order. Riding a bike that has a clean, efficient drivetrain and gears that are properly adjusted will allow you to get the most out of the bike while also making the experience of riding the bike more enjoyable.
If your bicycle appears to be excessively dirty (on electric mountain bikes in particular or frequently a buildup of black sludge on the chain, mud stuck in the rear derailleur’s jockey wheels), you can give it a quick wipe down with a rag or a thorough cleaning with a degreaser. Either method will work. There are several guides available on this website that explain how to clean a bike and how to clean the chain of a bike.
Lubricate Bike’s Chains
Chains on electric bikes typically need to be lubricated more frequently than chains on regular bicycles. Your transmission will function effectively if you regularly lubricate the chain with high-quality lube. Doing this after every ride and most definitely after cleaning and drying the bike is an excellent idea.
Lubricating an electric bicycle is not always as simple as it may appear to be. Since most electric bikes cannot be backpedaled, you will need to put the bike on a work stand (or ask a friend to lift the back wheel off the ground) so that you can swivel the pedals in order to evenly distribute the lubricant throughout the chain. You can do this by asking a friend to lift the back wheel off the ground.
If your bicycle has a mode called “walk,” you can use it to make the cranks (and the back wheel) spin slowly enough so that you can easily apply lubricant to the chain. If your bicycle does not have a mode called “walk,” you can use the “ride” option instead.
Additionally, you should routinely check the tire pressure on your e-bike. In addition to being potentially dangerous, under-inflated tires can waste energy and limit efficiency, which means you’ll get less use out of a battery charge. Additionally, running tires at too high of pressure might reduce traction and comfort, mainly if you’re riding off-road.
