Maintenance is an essential part of bicycle ownership, and this is no different with electric bikes.

Keeping your bicycle in a good condition will not only save you money and keep the bike running smooth for years to come, but also help to avoid any mishaps whilst you're riding.

Thankfully the electrical side of ebikes require very little maintenance, as most motors and batteries are sealed systems. This is great news for ebike owners. With this in mind, maintenance of an ebike will be very similar to a normal bike.

Initial Bedding In

Most dealers offer a full set up with the bike, this is important as the bike will need to be set up properly to be able to function well. Some dealers also offer a free first service, this is particularly useful as generally with a new bike there is a "bed in" period. During the bed in process, new gear cables can stretch a little, whilst bolts can settle, therefore it’s good practice to have the bike checked over within the first few hundred miles to ensure properly adjusted gears and that all bolts are tight.

Service Schedules

How often and far you ride will affect how often your bike will require servicing, for most people this interval will be between six months to a year, providing the bike hasn't sustained any damage whilst in use.

Bike Cleaning Routine

Keeping your bike clean will help to prolong time between services, this is as dirt can accelerate wear of components, especially moving parts such as the drive chain. Whilst this might sound like a large investment of time, if undertaken on a regular basis as needed, will take up very little time.

Cleaning with bike specific cleaners will ensure the process is straightforward and will avoid damage to any components. Post cleaning "bike shine" products are also available, which leave a protective layer over the frame/paintwork, keeping the bike looking like new for longer. These shine products usually help to avoid dirt sticking to the bike, making the next bike clean easier, although it is important to avoid getting these near any braking surfaces.

Drive Chain Routine

A clean drive chain will improve the quality of shifting, increase the lifespan and keep the drive train quiet. It is important to not to just re lubricate a dirty drive train, as this will create a "grinding paste" which will increase wear on the chain.

Cleaning down the chain, jockey wheels, cassette and chain rings prior to application of lube will alleviate this issue, greatly improving the lifespan. Using a bike specific chain lubricant is also important, as this is specifically designed to keep the chain lubricated without affecting performance, also helping to keep the chain clean as dirt will be less prone to adhering to the chain.

All of the above will lead to a happy on-going ebike experience and extend the life of your electric bike. 

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With thanks to Martin Brown @ e-bikeshop.co.uk