When purchasing an electric bicycle, you will probably be presented with different maintenance intervals. Some e-bikes require ebike oem service and inspection, while others might only need annual service. The amount of care and maintenance that you give your e-bike is a personal choice. If you want to keep your e-bike for a long time, then taking care of it now will help to lengthen its lifespan. Neglecting it now could even shorten its life significantly. Read on to find out how often you should service your e-bike to get the most from this investment.
How Often Should You Service Your E-Bike
If you are new to electric bicycles, you may be unsure about how often you should service your e-bike. Fortunately, there are five main areas of your e-bike that will probably require some kind of maintenance during the lifetime of your bike. Some of these areas require more maintenance than others and some will require less. It all depends on how much you ride your bike.
Drivetrain – The drivetrain is often referred to as the chain, gears and cabling. The cabling is the wiring that transmits energy from the battery to the motor and back. The chain and gears are what move your bike forward when you pedal. This is a very important part of your e-bike that needs to be maintained and serviced regularly.
Battery – The battery is an integral part of your e-bike. It powers the motor and charges the lights and display panel on your handlebars. The battery is a long-term investment, so it makes sense to make sure that it is in good condition and performing at its best.
Wheels – The wheels are an important part of your e-bike. You can’t go very far without them. Although they can be quite durable, you will probably have to replace the wheels on your e-bike at some point during its lifespan.
Frame and Suspension – The frame is the skeleton of your e-bike. It’s the bit that supports the rest of the bike and keeps everything together. The suspension is the system that absorbs bumps and vibrations. These two components are essential to e-bike functionality. If either of them is damaged, it can affect the performance of your bike.
Which Parts of the Bike Should You Service?
There are five main areas that you should service regularly on your e-bike. Depending on the type of e-bike you have, you may have to service more or less.
– Drivetrain – The drivetrain is the chain, cabling and gear system. It is important to keep this as clean and lubricated as possible. If you fail to maintain it, it can break quickly and cause you to fall off your bike. Once a month, clean and lube the chain and gear cabling.
– Battery – The battery is an important part of your e-bike. It powers your motor and lights and charges your display on the handlebars. If you fail to maintain it, it can cause your battery to break quickly and fail. Check your battery regularly to make sure that it is clean and dry.
– Wheels – It’s important to check your wheels regularly to make sure that they are in good shape. If you notice that one or both of your wheels are damaged, it might be a good idea to replace them.
Recharging and Calibration
After you have cleaned and lubed the drivetrain of your e-bike and recharged the battery, you should calibrate your e-bike. This is a simple process that can be completed in a matter of minutes.
– First, turn on your e-bike and let it warm up for a few minutes. This will allow the motor to heat up and reach its normal operating temperature.
– Next, turn your e-bike off and unplug the charger.
– Now, press the mode button three times followed by the power button. This will launch the calibration procedure.
– Wait until the display shows “calibrating” and then let the process finish. This process usually takes around 10 minutes.
– When the calibration process has finished, you should hear a series of beeps. This means that calibration is complete and you can now ride your bike.
Check the Tires
The first thing that you should do when you are checking your e-bike is to look at the tires. Some e-bikes require you to regularly check the tire pressure to make sure that they are in good condition. If your e-bike requires tire pressure checks, then you should do it as part of your monthly maintenance. Make sure that the tires are smooth and don’t have any nails or thorns sticking into them. If they do, remove them carefully with a pair of pliers.
Check the Battery
The next thing that you should do when checking your e-bike is to look at the battery. If you have a removable battery, check the fluid levels and cleanliness. You should also check the terminals. Make sure that the clamps are fastened tightly and that there are no signs of corrosion. If you see any signs of damage, you should have the battery inspected by a qualified technician to make sure it is safe. You can also use the “charge voltage” feature on some e-bike batteries to check the voltage of your battery. If the battery is less than 50% charged, you should charge it fully before riding your e-bike again.
Check the Chain and Gears
The last thing that you should do when checking your e-bike is to look at the chain and gears. You can do this by removing the chain using the tool that came with your bike. Once you have removed the chain, you should clean it and lube it to make sure that it stays in good condition. You can do the same with the gears and other moving parts of the bike.
Conclusion
An electric bicycle is a great way to get around, especially if you want to exercise more. However, maintaining it will keep it in top condition, providing you with the most enjoyment out of your e-bike. Regularly servicing your e-bike will keep it running smoothly, making it a more enjoyable experience to ride.
