The Ultimate Ebike Maintenance Schedule & Guide
Now that you have your new ebike, you are wondering “What kind and how often do I need to maintain it?” Regular maintenance is vital to the safety and longevity of an ebike. In the same manner as car maintenance, ebike maintenance is a simple task that, once it becomes routine, will seem as natural as wearing your shoes before leaving the house, and it will become as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Your electric bike needs six "different" maintenance schedules to ensure safety and durability, many of which you probably already follow without realizing it. Some items may seem difficult at first, but once you figure out how to do them, they will also become second nature to you. Do not be intimidated by this relatively long list. You just need to get used to it.
PRE-RIDE CHECKLIST
This should take you around 5 minutes with a little practice!
| TASK | TOOLS | INSTRUCTIONS |
|
Check Tire Pressure |
Tire Pressure Gauge |
Check tire pressure is within the range specified by the manufacturer. |
|
Inspect Brakes |
N/A |
Whilst rolling your ebike besides you, pull on one of the brake levers. |
|
Check Headset |
N/A |
Pull the front brake and rock the ebike forward and backward. |
|
Clean & Lube Chain |
Chain Lube & Rag |
With the tires of your ebike off the floor, grasp the chain between the back gears and pedals with |
|
Check Wheel Tightness |
N/A |
Check that each wheel's axle nuts are tight and there's no wheel wobble. Tighten as needed. |
|
Check Battery Charge |
N/A |
Turn on your ebike and ensure it is sufficiently charged for your journey. |
POST-RIDE CHECKLIST
If you practice a little, you should be able to complete this in less than 10 minutes!
| TASK | TOOLS | INSTRUCTIONS |
|
Inspect Tires & Rims |
N/A |
Look for debris and damage on the rims and tires. |
|
Check Shifter & |
N/A |
With your ebike tires off the floor, turn the pedals and shift through the gears. |
|
Wipe Down Frame |
Clean, damp rag |
Take a rag and wipe the frame of the ebike. |
|
Wipe Down Chain |
Clean Rag |
With the tires of your ebike off the floor, grasp the chain with the rag and spin the pedals |
|
Check Pedals |
N/A |
Give your pedals a once over to check for any cracking. |
|
Check Wheel Straightness |
N/A |
Turn each wheel in turn whilst looking straight down the tire. |
|
Charge Battery |
Battery Charger |
Put your battery on the charger so your ebike is fueled and ready for your next adventure. |
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Note: The checklists below may be labeled by a specific timescale, but these time scales are aimed at the daily rider. If you're just a weekend warrior or an intermittent, casual rider, your ebike may not need these tuneups as often.
Doing some further research and purchasing the tools and equipment necessary to complete these lists can be beneficial for your long term financial health; plus, you become more knowledgeable and in tune with your daily ride.
WEEKLY EBIKE CHECKLIST
An easy task that can be accomplished with basic bike tools.
- Clean the chainrings, cassette, and derailleur pulleys
- Check and tighten the crankset
- Brake pads should be inspected
MONTHLY EBIKE CHECKLIST
Performing a more thorough inspection and tuneup requires some in-depth research and special materials, but they are not hard to locate.
- Chain water should be checked
- Clean and lubricate suspension sliders (if applicable)
- Lubricate all brake and gear shifting cables
- Grease and lubricate the chain and all chainrings, both front and rear.
- Lubricate all other drivetrain elements, such as the derailleur and chain
SIX MONTH EBIKE CHECKLIST
Many places call this a complete tune-up, and it is recommended twice a year for daily users and once a year for weekend warriors and casual riders. Most places charge around $100 for this service.
- Make sure the brakes are working properly
- Check the gear shifters for proper operation
- Be sure to lubricate both the brakes and the gear shifters
- Make sure the drivetrain works normally
- Be sure to true your wheels
- Check your bearings
- Make sure all bolts are tight
ANNUAL CHECKLIST
The annual checklist combines everything from the six-month checklist with a complete breakdown of your ebike, checking all its components are working as they should, cleaning said components, lubricating them and reassembling your bicycle. For daily commuters and serious riders, this should be done annually. Weekend warriors and casual riders probably need this only every 18 months to 2 years.
FINAL WORDS
You can take your ebike to your local ebike service center if you're not comfortable with any of the elements listed in the checklist above. These highly knowledgeable technicians are often able to identify any problems as second nature.
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