By Bryan Wall
Product Test Journalist | Kaipūrongo Whakamātautau Hautaonga
E-bikes aren’t cheap. Some cost as much as a small secondhand car. You need to service a car regularly – the same goes for your shiny new e-bike.
Here’s our guide to basic e-bike maintenance to help keep those wheels spinning smoothly.
Frequency
Set a calendar reminder to perform basic maintenance checks on your bike. Monthly should suffice, but if you ride long distances you may need to increase the frequency.
Perform a quick visual check of your e-bike before every ride – check the tyres, the chain and the battery charge.
Battery
The battery is one of the most expensive parts of an e-bike; you should care for it like you would your first born.
Don’t store the battery outside if it’s cold, or in a hot or damp place.
Don’t let the battery run flat. Always recharge it before the charge drops below 20%.
If you plan to store the bike for a long time without using it, maintain the charge at above 50%.
Tyres and wheels
Maintaining your tyres is paramount.
Check your tyre pressures weekly. Recommended pressures can be found on the tyre wall and in your manual. Use a pressure gauge and top up with air as necessary.
Before every ride, visually inspect the tyres for punctures and give them a squeeze to check for major pressure loss.
When checking tyre pressures, you can also check the wheels. Do they spin freely and look straight? Are there any loose spokes?
Brakes
Brakes on an e-bike wear quicker than on a traditional bike, as e-bikes are heavier and faster. Check the brakes regularly, especially if you notice a reduction in braking force or more vibration or braking noise.
Shine a torch into the brake calliper. You should be able to see the brake pads. If the pads are running low (less than 1mm thick), then it’s time for replacements.
Check the specs in your manual for replacement pads, or take a pad out and head to your local bike shop. If you aren’t confident with replacing the brakes yourself, get the shop to do it.
If the pads are ok, but you still have braking issues, the brakes could need ‘bleeding’. You can do this yourself (there are plenty of guides online) or head to the bike shop.
Excessive vibration may be because the brake pad is worn or the brake disc (rotor) is warped. Get the bike shop to check.
Noisy brakes are often due to dirt on the pads or disc. Spray both with a can of brake cleaner from the auto store or bike shop.
Chain
An e-bike’s chain is subjected to higher forces than a traditional bicycle, so keeping it lubricated is important for a smooth ride, easy gear changes and reduced wear.
Lube your chain every 200km or so – more often if you ride in particularly wet or dirty conditions.
If the chain is dirty, give it a clean. There are many chain-cleaning products available, but kerosene in a spray bottle does a fine job of removing grease and dirt, combined with a chain brush.
Pro-tip: Get someone to help you flip the bike upside down and slowly turn the pedals as you clean the chain with the brush and spray on the lube.
If your chain is clean and lubed, but the bike is missing gear changes, your chain tension may need adjusting. There are guides online for how to do this, but it can be tricky, so the bike shop might be the best bet.
Cleaning
Keep your e-bike clean! It deserves a regular wash.
But take care not to get water into the motor or electrical systems if you’re using a hose. To be extra sure, it pays to remove the battery first and tape over any electrical connectors.
Alternatively, there are many bike-specific cleaning products available that you can use.
Cleaning your e-bike regularly will not only help it run better, but makes it more likely you’ll spot any issues sooner, such as damage to componentry, loose bolts or a slack chain.
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