1. Check Your E-Bikes Chain to Keep It Running Properly
Servicing a traditional bike’s chain is one of the most important things you can do to keep it running. E-bike chains must also be maintained, and just like in a traditional bike, this will extend the bike’s life. Maintenance of the chain is crucial if you own an e-mountain bike and constantly tackle muddy or dusty trails. Hitting the trail with your e-mountain bike can be tons of fun, but if you don’t clean it properly, dirt can start to accumulate on the chain. An unclean chain will greatly impact the normal functioning of your e-bike.
The friction introduced by this dirt is a death sentence to the overall efficiency and proper functioning of your e-bike. In order to combat this, you should meticulously clean your e-bike, especially the chain, when you’re back from the trail. When you get home from the trail, you should remove the e-bike’s chain and visually inspect it for any damage. If there is no apparent damage, you can proceed to clean it.
There are many ways to do this, but the most important thing is to remove all the dirt and grime from the chain thoroughly. Once you’re done cleaning, lubricate the chain. This will ensure the chain runs smoothly, and all the ancillary components will also function more efficiently.
2. Checking Your E-Bike Tires Is Crucial
Tires are another item many cyclists tend to neglect, which is a big error when maintaining your e-bike. Checking the life of your tires is super important for drivability and overall safety.
If your e-bike tires aren’t functioning properly, the entire e-bike will perform in a suboptimal manner. If the thread pattern looks worn out and uneven, it’s definitely time to go shopping for a fresh set of tires for your e-bike. It’s crucial that you purchase the correct tires for the terrain that you will be riding in constantly.
This is a common mistake that cyclists make, especially when they pick off-road tires for their mostly tarmac daily commute. Unfortunately, this is a huge problem and will cause the tires to wear out unevenly.
Tires should be chosen depending on the specific usage, ensuring they perform safely. It’s also vital that you check your e-bike’s tire pressure, as this will also affect the overall performance of the e-bike. Bikes with inadequate tire pressure may feel sluggish to drive, and inflating your tires to the proper pressure will make a world of difference in cycling feel and help keep your bike running like new.
3. Take Care Of Your E-Bike’s Battery
You wouldn’t have to worry about this maintenance item with a typical bike. Much like taking care of an EV’s battery, the lithium-ion battery in your e-bike needs proper care. If you want to take good care of your lithium-ion battery, you must avoid discharging it completely, as this will negatively impact battery life.
If you constantly let your battery visit the extremes of charging, accelerated battery wear may occur. You should keep your battery in a happy medium state of charge; somewhere between 20% and 80% will do the trick. Charging your battery in frigid temperatures is another practice that will damage your battery, so you will want to ensure the battery is at an adequate temperature before beginning the charging process.
Storing your battery in a safe place and avoiding extremely hot temperatures will also help to preserve your battery for a long time. Another often overlooked factor when taking care of your e-bike’s battery is the handling aspect. If your battery is removable and you let it fall when removing it, this can ultimately lead to structural damage to the battery.
Take extra caution when removing your battery and moving it wherever it will be charged. Remember, at the end of the day, your e-bike’s battery is one of the two most important components contained in your e-bike. In fact, the lithium-ion battery pack and the accompanying electric motor are what make your e-bike an e-bike. Most of the value of your e-bike resides in these two components, so taking care of them is a must. This is especially true if your e-bike’s battery is very expensive, like those in long-range e-bikes.
4. Keep Your E-Bike Clean
Cleaning your e-bike is an underrated way to keep it going for a long time. Whenever you wash your e-bike, especially after taking it out on the trail, you mustn’t use a cleaner that might damage the bike’s paint or other components.
Keeping your e-bike clean is especially important if you’re riding through roads that have been treated with salt, so make sure you’re keeping up with your e-bike cleaning routine if you live in an area where your e-bike might be exposed to salt.
Regular Maintenance Will Keep Your E-Bike Running Like New
If you keep up with all the regular maintenance items related to your e-bike and take proper care of important components like the battery, your bike will reward you with long service life. Just like any other vehicle, regular care and maintenance is the key to extending its life and making the ownership experience more rewarding.
