The convenience and ease of an electric bike make it a popular form of transportation for all ages and ability levels. Not only can your electric bike get you to and from a destination, but it can also provide a fun adventure along the way. Electric bikes also showcare your personality. You can choose any color, such as a white or black electric bike. Combining enjoyment and practicality, the electric bike serves many purposes beyond normal types of transportation. Of course, it is necessary to know how to maintain your bike so that you can use it to the full extent.
This doesn’t need to be confusing or stressful. With such a large market and so many individuals purchasing these bikes, it’s more important than ever before to make tips on electric bike maintenance easy to understand and available to everyone. Keep reading to learn tips on how you can maintain your electric bike and allow it to serve you for as long as possible.
Lubrication is Important
Keeping your electric bike lubricated like everything with moving parts is very important. While your bike’s chain and other moving parts will naturally encounter friction, properly lubricating these components will greatly reduce the amount of friction experienced and decrease the amount of wear and tear they take on. Make sure to buy lubricant that is specifically designed for bikes for the best results.
Make Sure the Bolts are Tight
Riding your electric bike and suddenly having a bolt come off could cause a dangerous accident and cause costly damages. Before each ride, make a habit of checking each bolt on the bike. Tighten loose bolts and take note of bolts that may have excessive wear and tear. It may be necessary to occasionally replace bolts. Pro tip: bring the bolt you need to replace into the shop with you for easy identification. Walking away with the wrong bolt can be frustrating.
Check Air Pressure Regularly
One of the most common causes of an electric bike suddenly being unrideable is a flat tire. Prevent this from happening by always checking your air pressure prior to your ride. This is easy to do and only takes minutes. It can also be helpful to carry a tire patch kit with you on your rides, just in case you get an untimely flat. These kits come in very small packages for ease of carrying on rides.
Brake Pads are Important
Check your brake pads regularly. If your brake pads were to suddenly be insufficient, this could be incredibly dangerous for you and others around you. Luckily, replacing brake pads is not very expensive and easy to accomplish. Additionally, try not to use your emergency brakes very often. This will help the longevity of your brake pads.
Your Battery is Your Best Friend
If your battery malfunctions or quits on you, your bike is then unusable until your purchase a new battery (which can be pricey). It’s important to thoroughly read your bike’s manual to know exactly how you should be charging and caring for your battery. Charging incorrectly, overcharging, ignoring low charge, etc. can all lead to costly damage to your bike’s battery.
Be Considerate of the Weight You are Carrying
Like automobiles, electric bikes have a weight limit. Even the best electric bikes on the market can only carry so much. When riding your bike for errands, consider the weight limit of your bike and make the appropriate choices with what you will carry home. Carrying too much weight will damage your bike’s battery and could damage other components of your bike as well.
Remember to Power Down
Similar to other electric devices, you should turn your bike off when it is not in use. Leaving your bike on will drain the battery, reducing the overall life of the battery and possibly shortening your ability to ride the desired distance. Whether your goal is to make it home or it’s to not have to replace your battery any time soon, turning your bike off will help.
Also read: Reasons Why Electric Scooters Have Taken the World by Storm
Properly Store Your Bike
Keeping your bike safe from the elements and potential theft is a major component to your bike’s longevity. For this, you will want to consider the climate that you live in, the space you have available, and where you can effectively charge the bike. For instance, if you live in a humid climate, it is best if you keep your bike indoors in an air-conditioned area in order to prevent excessive rust from the humidity. If you live in a dryer climate, rust isn’t as much of a concern and a simple shed or garage might work.
Cleaning is Crucial
Lastly, but probably most important, make sure to clean your bike regularly. Proper cleaning will ensure that dirt and other material will be rinsed away and therefore won’t get a chance to clog or eat away at various parts of your bike, such as the chain. Cleaning your bike on a regular basis will increase the longevity and the efficiency of your bike’s engine, chain, and other key components.
Benefits of Proper Electric Bike Maintenance
Providing adequate care for your electric bike provides seemingly endless benefits to the life of your bike and your ability to enjoy it. This maintenance will decrease the amount of money you will need to spend on repairs, allowing you to spend your money how you would like to. Increasing the longevity of your bike will also give you the freedom to enjoy your bike for as long as possible, without the worry of needing to replace it. Possibly the best part yet, your bike will look brand new for far longer than anticipated with all of the tender loving care it will receive.
Final Thoughts
Electric bikes provide a great form of transportation and outdoor fun. Considering its eclectic usage, it’s clear why electric bikes have become so popular. Taking care of your bike should not be difficult or hard to understand. Follow the tips above and your bike’s owner’s manual to make the most of your electric bike. Enjoy the adventures and the convenience of this amazing piece of equipment.
About the author:
Trevor James is the founder of Electric Bike Paradise, the #1 online retailer of electric bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, and electric golf caddies. Trevor has been selling bicycles, electric bikes, and electric scooters online since 2010 and eventually established Electric Bike Paradise in late 2013 when he happened to meet a car enthusiast that introduced him to electric bikes. Trevor spent time searching for electric bikes online but couldn’t find a website that offered a wide selection of electric bikes, scooters, and informational articles. That is why he decided to start a website where everyone can shop conveniently, browse buying guides, and read educational posts. The website is called Electric Bike Paradise.