What Are the 8 Most Important Electric Bike Tips You’ll Ever Read?

The 8 most important electric bike tips you’ll ever read focus on maintenance, battery care, safety, and riding habits that maximize your e-bike’s performance, longevity, and your riding experience. These essential tips cover cleaning, charging, tire pressure, brake inspection, chain lubrication, storage, software updates, and professional servicing to keep your e-bike running smoothly and safely.

How Should You Maintain Your Electric Bike for Optimal Performance?

Regular maintenance is crucial for electric bikes to ensure smooth operation and longevity. Keep your bike clean by wiping down the frame, drivetrain, and components after rides, especially in wet or dusty conditions. Avoid pressure washing to prevent water damage to electrical parts. Regularly inspect for loose bolts, spokes, or broken parts, and lubricate the drivetrain to reduce wear and friction.

What Are the Best Practices for Battery Care and Charging?

Battery health is vital; charge your e-bike battery regularly but avoid leaving it fully charged or completely drained for long periods. Store the battery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. Use only the charger provided by the manufacturer and avoid charging immediately after a long ride to prevent overheating.

How Often Should You Check and Maintain Tire Pressure?

Proper tire pressure ensures safety, ride comfort, and efficiency. Check tire pressure before every ride and inflate to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, usually printed on the tire sidewall. Underinflated tires cause increased wear and reduce range, while overinflated tires can reduce traction and comfort.

Why Is Brake Inspection and Maintenance Essential?

E-bikes are heavier and faster than regular bikes, so brakes require frequent inspection. Check brake pads for wear and replace them promptly. Ensure brake cables or hydraulic systems are functioning correctly and adjust them if needed to maintain reliable stopping power.

How Important Is Chain Lubrication and Drivetrain Care?

The chain and drivetrain endure significant stress on an e-bike. Clean and lubricate the chain regularly, especially after riding in rain or dusty environments. Use high-quality lubricants and wipe off excess to prevent dirt accumulation. Inspect the chain for wear and replace it before it damages other drivetrain components.

What Are the Best Storage Tips for Your Electric Bike?

Store your e-bike indoors or under shelter to protect it from moisture and temperature extremes. If storing long-term, remove the battery and keep it partially charged (around 40-60%). Avoid leaving the bike with a dead battery, which can cause permanent damage.

How Do Software Updates and Professional Servicing Improve Your E-Bike?

Keep your e-bike’s software updated to benefit from performance improvements and bug fixes. Schedule annual professional inspections to check electrical components, motor, and battery health. Never attempt to repair the motor or battery yourself, as this can void warranties and cause damage.

What Safety and Riding Tips Should You Follow?

Wear appropriate safety gear including a helmet and reflective clothing. Familiarize yourself with your e-bike’s controls and power settings. Ride defensively, obey traffic laws, and be mindful of battery range to avoid unexpected power loss mid-ride.

Electric Bike Maintenance and Safety Chart

Purchasing Advice

When purchasing an electric bike, choose models with reliable batteries, durable motors, and user-friendly maintenance features. HOVSCO offers a diverse range of e-bikes designed for longevity and ease of care, backed by expert support. Look for bikes with accessible components for cleaning and maintenance, quality brakes, and clear manufacturer guidelines. Investing in proper accessories like chargers, lubricants, and protective gear enhances your riding experience and bike lifespan.

HOVSCO Expert Views

"HOVSCO emphasizes that the key to a satisfying e-bike experience lies not only in the initial purchase but in ongoing care and smart riding habits. Our team designs bikes that are robust yet easy to maintain, encouraging riders to adopt essential maintenance routines. Regular cleaning, battery care, and professional checkups ensure your e-bike performs reliably and safely for years." – HOVSCO Product Development Team

FAQ

How often should I charge my e-bike battery?
Charge regularly and avoid leaving it fully charged or depleted for long periods to prolong battery life.

Can I clean my e-bike with a pressure washer?
No, pressure washers can damage electrical components; use a damp cloth instead.

What tire pressure is best for e-bikes?
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, checking before every ride.

How do I know when to replace brake pads?
Replace brake pads when they show significant wear or reduced braking performance.

Is professional servicing necessary?
Yes, annual professional inspections help maintain safety and performance.

 

Are you hungry for more fun and comfortable rides with electric bikes?

We’ll make that easy for you!

At HOVSCO, we pride ourselves on giving you the latest reports about ebikes, electric biking, and everything in between.

The following eight excellent tips about this game-changing innovation will equip you to perfection for your next FLYER e-bike trip.

1) Charging and Discharging Your E-Bike Battery

To prolong the lifespan of your e-bike battery, charge it regularly but avoid overcharging. Try to keep it between 20-80% charged. When not in use, store it in a cool, dry place. Fully discharge it occasionally to calibrate, but avoid deep discharges to prevent battery damage.

A battery is the only component separating an electric bike from a traditional bike. Being the most essential and expensive component in an electric bike, it’s worth knowing how to charge, recharge, and maintain it for optimal performance.

Here are six rules to keep your ebike battery in top shape:

Avoid a Long-Term Full or Empty Battery  

Take hunger as a scenario to understand the limit for charging and discharging your ebike's battery. It's a bad idea to wait until you are starving to eat. Similarly, do not fill up to the point of being unable to eat anymore.

Most manufacturers give a battery a warranty on the number of charge cycles. Therefore, to maximize your battery life, it’s better to avoid charging your battery to 100% (unless you are charging for the first time or don't need a full battery) and discharging it to 0%.

A full or empty battery wears out the hardest. So, try to keep its power between 30-80%.

Use the Correct Charger

You should avoid using quick chargers. According to nutritionists, eating slowly at a steady rate is recommended. In the same context, use chargers that charge your batteries at a constant rate (i.e., the one that comes with the battery) to avoid stressing them.

However, a quick step-charger is an exception. It speeds up on the first 50% but goes easy on the last 50%, which is the most essential.

Mind the Way You Charge

Most electric bikes offer on-the-bike charging, i.e., charging the battery while directly mounted to the bike. Even if that is true, it's an excellent practice sometimes to detach the battery from the bike. That way, you can inspect the connections and corrosion.

Make Use of a Light Timer

We are sure you may have more important things to do than sitting and watching your battery charge. A light indicator will pulse or flush red while the battery is charging and switch to green once the timer’s time elapses or the battery reaches full charge. Please make use of it!

Do Not Store in Extreme Temperatures

Anything above 85°F or below 45°F is considered extreme and not healthy for the battery chemistry. Therefore, it's crucial to secure your bike in a cold, dry environment that will not exceed its room temperature in the presence of direct sunlight.

Don’t Get Used to Full Throttle and Pedal-Assist Modes

You will probably get a little more out of the battery if you occasionally ride on eco mode. Pedal-assist and throttle modes will put more load on the battery, limiting its range.

2) Plan for Punctures

Punctures are a common issue when riding an e-bike. Carry a repair kit with tire levers, patches, and a pump. Consider investing in puncture-resistant tires or tire liners to reduce the risk. Regularly check tire pressure and inspect for damage before each ride to prevent issues.

Electric bikes are artificial, so expect them to develop multiple punctures and wear out with continual use.

But what will you do when your bike components stop operating as designed?

It would be best if you trained some standard bike troubleshooting and repair tips, i.e., fixing flat tires, broken chains, brake pads, and derailleurs. You should also know how to inspect wiring and connections, disconnect the motor, check the tire pressure, and more.

And don’t forget to carry bike repair tools. Even though you hope you won't use them, it's still wise to have them with you for precaution.

3) Cornering, Turning, and Braking

When cornering or turning on an e-bike, lean into the turn like you would on a regular bike but be mindful of your speed. Use both brakes evenly to avoid skidding, and shift your weight to maintain balance. Take turns slowly until you’re comfortable with your bike’s handling.

Braking, cornering, and turning with an e-bike are a matter of practice. These tips may help!

• Do not scrap your pedals when cornering and entering/leaving turns to keep your pedals in the correct position, i.e., the pedal on the inside of the turn at noon while the other at the six o'clock position.
• Brake early, lightly and evenly to avoid premature wear to your e-bike brake pads. If you have to brake harder, do so at the front but be gentle on the rear brakes.

4) Make Time for Maintenance

Regular maintenance is crucial for your e-bike’s performance and longevity. Check tire pressure, brake pads, and the motor regularly. Clean and lubricate the chain, inspect the battery connections, and ensure all bolts are tight. Schedule professional servicing for complex issues like motor or controller maintenance.

There is a thin line between the maintenance of an electric bike and that of a conventional bicycle. However, because an ebike is heavier, stronger and more complex, some components, like the drivetrain, are susceptible to greater forces and increased wear.

To maintain your electric bike's smooth, safe, and efficient running, you must take care of it. Therefore, you are bound to have a few more maintenance considerations, for instance,

• Regularly check the tires to ensure they are correctly inflated
• Make a habit of checking the brakes
• Keep an eye on your motor system
• Regularly inspect, clean, and lube your chain
• Recharge your battery whenever you have the chance to avoid depleting its cells.

5) Follow Road Rules

Riding an e-bike safely means adhering to traffic laws. Always obey speed limits, stop signs, and traffic signals. Use hand signals when turning, and wear a helmet for protection. E-bikes have specific regulations in different regions, so familiarize yourself with local laws before riding.

COVID-19 made us realize that no one is safe until everyone is safe.

The same concept applies to all vehicles, whether electric or traditional. Everyone on the steering wheel needs a great deal of safety knowledge and precaution.

Therefore, always ensure you're wearing the proper safety gear, complying with the electric bike laws and regulations, and following road rules at all times.

It would also help if you stick to the secondary side of the lane and ride in a manner that neither puts you nor the people around you at risk.

6) Lock Your Electric Bike

To prevent theft, always lock your e-bike when leaving it unattended. Use a high-quality U-lock or chain lock that secures both the frame and wheels. Consider adding a GPS tracker for extra security. Store your e-bike in a safe location, like a garage or secure bike rack.

There’s one rule we have been living by here at HOVSCO: the harder you make it for a thief to access your property, the less likely they’ll steal it. So, security starts with you.

Electric bikes are expensive —the cost of replacing their battery, motor, and any other significant component may run you bankrupt in a blink.

So, be aware of your surroundings, and learn how to secure your electric bike from thieves.

7) Lowering Your Center of Gravity 

To improve stability, lower your center of gravity by adjusting the saddle height and positioning. Keeping your body low while riding and positioning the weight towards the center of the bike will help maintain balance, especially on uneven or off-road terrain, and can enhance control.

The further you go above or below the earth's surface, the more the centre of gravity (COG) weakens. And since an object’s stability depends on its COG position, a lower COG equals better balance.

If you are fond of standing up, leaning, or turning when bicycling, please note that you are damaging your bike’s range, stability, and controllability.

How?

By shifting your ebike’s COG from its normal low position, your bike, its battery, and the motor will struggle to maintain its stability, improve controllability, and propel the vehicle forward.

Therefore, always choose an ebike that can support your weight, and you can enjoy your rides while seated. Besides, mount your load at the back of the bike, behind your seat, to lower your bike's COG.

8) Be Conscious of the Weather

Weather can significantly impact your e-bike's performance. Avoid riding in heavy rain or snow, as wet conditions can affect traction and cause damage to electrical components. Be mindful of extreme temperatures, as both cold and hot weather can reduce battery efficiency and overall performance.

Most electric bicycles are designed to function optimally in hot weather. The best performance of lithium-ion batteries, which are employed in most ebikes, is between 60-80°F (15.5-26.6°C). Below 40°F (4.4°C) or above 115°F (46°C), the battery performance begins to degrade.

This write-up summarizes five salient points to consider for comfortable cruising during summer. You can also use the suggestions in this guide during the rainy or snowy seasons.