Riding a bicycle to commute is one of the best ways to travel around town, all while enjoying the great outdoors and maintaining a low carbon footprint. While cycling through the city with your bike is fun on its own, zipping through the streets on an e-bike takes the experience to a whole new level.
Just like any traditional bike, it's just as important to give your e-bike the TLC it deserves, so it can perform flawlessly and reduce wear-and-tear. This is especially crucial for e-bikes that you use for off-road adventures, but how exactly should you take care of your e-bike?
How to Take Care of Your E-Bike on the Daily
Tip #1: Keep it Clean
Riding an e-bike daily means you're likely riding it in pretty regular traffic, and like your car, your bike is subject to road grime and the elements. Luckily, maintaining your e-bike is fairly simple and doesn't take much time to do.
The first thing to remember is to always keep your bike clean. This doesn't mean taking it in for a full detail every week, but make sure you clean it up after every ride. This includes wiping down the bike and ensuring no loose screws or parts.
In addition, I'd also recommend wiping down the tires to get rid of road grime and other debris. If you want to make the job easier, you could also invest in something like a bicycle wet/dry vacuum to clean the tires and wheels of your e-bike, but it's certainly not necessary.
Tip #2: Make Sure the Tires are Properly Inflated
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it's one of the most important factors in ensuring your ride in comfort. If your tires are not properly inflated, you're going to feel every bump in the road, making your ride all the more uncomfortable.
If you're tired of getting a sore backside or feeling all kinds of vibrations, it's time to check your tires' inflation. Never trust the built-in pressure gauge on your bike, as this is a widespread failure. Instead, invest in a high-quality tire gauge that offers accurate readings.
Tip #3: Lube and Grease Up the E-Bikes Moving Parts
Owning an e-bike means you'll be riding it across various terrains, including paved roads, gravel, and dirt, which in turn means more wear and tear on your bike's moving parts.
To ensure your bike keeps working like new, it's essential to ensure that your chain is adequately lubed up and greased. This will ensure that the chain moves smoothly and doesn't get stuck in the chainring, or worse, fall off.
I'd recommend using a lightweight chain lube that you can spray on your chain, as it'll help prevent it from getting gummed up by dirt.
Tip #4: Always Check the Brakes
In addition to the chain and tires, another common failure point on e-bikes is the brakes. Like any other bike, your brakes will wear out over time, so it's important to check if they're in working order before every single ride.
If you're unsure of whether or not the brakes are functioning, try stopping the bike by applying the brakes at the same time you put your foot on the ground. If the brakes don't fully stop the bike, it's time for a replacement.
Tip #5: Don't Forget to Do Proper Battery Care
Riding an e-bike is all about convenience, so you'll be charging the battery before every ride. Make sure the battery is fully charged before you ride, and remember to leave it unplugged after each ride. This will ensure the battery's life and prevent any damage from overcharging.
The Bottom Line: Caring for Your E-Bike for a Longer-Lasting Ride
To help your e-bike last longer and perform better, it's important to give it the TLC it deserves. By cleaning, lubing, and greasing the moving parts, checking and inflating the tires, and keeping the battery charged, you'll ensure that your e-bike continues to perform at the level you expect it to.
Of course, there are more things you can do to ensure the longevity of your e-bike, but these five simple tips should go a long way in keeping your e-bike running smoothly.
Are You Looking for the Best E-Bike in the USA?
If you want to find the perfect e-bike for your needs, you should check out our complete guide to the best electric bikes here at Coast Bike Co.! We've got a full breakdown of the top e-bikes available, including everything you'll need to know about the different models and their specs, as well as a handy guide on how to find the perfect e-bike for you.