The ultimate electric bike cleaning and care routine

Safe and correct electric bike cleaning methods and maintenance tips

How to maintain your electric bike

The electric bike is a swift mover, and with the speeds it clocks, you don’t sweat half as much. You can ride one without the physical fitness needed for conventional cycling and forget about fossil fuel burning for a ride around town. It is a handy investment, and like everything we own, maintenance is necessary to keep it running in top condition. Here are the best electric bike cleaning tips for continuous best performance.

Keep it clean

How often you clean your bike is vital. Most riders only think of cleaning when the bike is visibly dirty. Do not wait until it becomes dusty, muddy, or grimy. Cleaning after every ride helps preserve the bike and prevents dust from accumulating. Most electric bikes are water-resistant, and you can use water to clean. However, removing the battery will ensure there can be no damage to it. Remove the display if it is removable, or cover it with cloth and film, if it is permanently mounted.

It is advised not to use a pressure hose as this releases water into electrical components, with water getting in between seals. The seals are there to keep your bike watertight. Grease on wheel bearings and the bottom bracket can also strip away with power washing.

An ordinary garden hose can safely clean the wheels and tyres. Use a sponge or a cloth for scrubbing and a towel for drying. Reconnect the battery only after the bike is thoroughly dry. Make sure to use only recommended bike cleaner. Soapy water is harmful to disc brakes, so use disc brake cleaner.

To remove grimy and oily dirt, you will need a degreaser. Apply degreaser and wait a few minutes before wiping it off and washing.

Keep your tyres inflated properly

Check tyre pressure before every ride. Decreased tyre pressure leads to punctures. The tyres should have the advised pressure range PSI stamped on to the sides. Under-inflated tyres can cause the bike to feel sluggish and harder to pedal. It also results in premature ageing of tyres.

Check your brake pads

Brake pads wear down with use, and you need to check them too before taking your bike out for a spin. Rim brakes have wear indicators and show you when to replace them. Disc brakes are inside the brake calliper, and to check them, you need to remove the wheel. They don’t need maintenance that often. Cable-actuated brakes need adjustment over time as the cable will stretch.

Lubricate your bike

Friction between moving parts can wear your bike out. Chain and wheels need adequate lubrication to prevent resistance and surfaces from coming into contact too often. Use a wet lube for cycling in wet conditions and a dry lube for dry summer months. Clean the bike before adding lubricants. Dirt and oil mixed with lubricants can result in a grinding paste. Apply chain lube to the chainset and re-apply grease to bearings and bottom bracket often. Lubricating brakes can render them ineffective, so avoid the brakes. Lube the cables with some light spray oil.

Check the tyres and wheel bearings

The surface of your tyres is more exposed to wear and tear than other components of your electric bicycle. Inspect for tiny pieces of glass or stone that get embedded in the tyres. Removing these can save your tires from future punctures. Your e-bike wheels may feel rough when you spin them due to wear in wheel bearings. They also eventually wear out and need replacing. Regular servicing helps them last longer. They need cleaning and re-greasing as well.

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