The Art Of E-Bike Maintenance

E-Bike Life and Maintenance Recommendations

As the electric bike industry evolves, it has amassed statistics on e-bike longevity and best practices. On average, the life of your Pedego e-bike, or your Segway, is a minimum of 10 years. That number can be slightly higher or lower depending on the type of e-mobility device you choose, how you use it, and how much care you take. Want to increase your e-bike’s life and your enjoyment? Our expert opinion is that you should service it every six months or about every 1,000 miles of riding. As a Level 3 Segway Service and Repair Center and Pedego expert service site, our team at all four of our locations can expertly assist with maintenance and repairs.

If you are conscientious about caring for your Segway or Pedego, it can last well over that decade. But because e-bikes are heavier and people tend to ride them faster and over longer distances, e-bikes do need more frequent maintenance than conventional bikes to preserve your investment and ensure driver safety. As the owner, you can also take actions to preserve the health of your e-bike, and for personal security, it is important to monitor wear on tires, brake pads, chain, and drivetrain regularly.

Various e-bike parts like motors and chains need periodic replacement, even with proper care. An average e-bike chain, as an example, should be good for up to 3000-3500 miles. Depending on the type of motor and the sort of riding you do, the number of miles on this can swing either way up to 20%. Commuter e-bikes, or those ridden typically on smoother terrain, as an example, can often be ridden 3500 miles or more before needing to change the chain.

Best Owner Practices

Although e-bike maintenance is comparable to conventional bike maintenance, there are crucial differences. Key e-bike components, particularly the drivetrain (cranks, chain, and sprockets), are subject to greater forces and increased wear. Dirt and mud increase wear on components, decrease the efficiency of your bike and wear through consumable parts. So carefully washing your e-bike regularly and keeping it well maintained is vital. The smoother your electric bike runs, the more efficient it will be, and the longer your key components will last. Riding a bike with a clean, efficient drivetrain, along with correctly adjusted gears, provides a better experience.

If your drivetrain looks excessively dirty, clean it gently with a rag, or do a deep clean with an approved degreaser. Electric bike chains tend to require more frequent lubrication than non-assisted bicycle chains. Gently applying a quality lubricant to your chain will ensure the transmission runs efficiently. E-bike motors and batteries are sealed units and impervious to water. But do not wash your e-bike with a powerful jet wash since water could force its way through the e-bike’s seals. Instead, use a bucket or low-pressure hose and a brush to quickly cut through dirt and grime. Ensure that all connections remain sealed by leaving the battery in its housing, but turn the e-bike system off before washing it (and unplug it from the charger). After washing the bike, dry it off with a clean cloth, making sure to avoid the disc brakes (you do not want to accidentally contaminate them with any oil or other cleaning products used elsewhere on the bike).

You should also regularly check your e-bike’s tire pressure. Under-inflated tires are potentially dangerous, waste power and reduce efficiency. Equally, running tires at too high a pressure can compromise comfort and grip, especially if you are riding off-road. As a starting point, keep your tires inflated to within the recommended pressures indicated on the sidewall and experiment to find the ideal pressure for you, balancing weight, comfort, grip and rolling resistance.

Electric bike drivetrains tend to be beefier and have different gear ranges from non-assisted bikes. E-bike-specific wheels and tires are also sturdier, fork stronger, and brake more powerful. We recommend you keep an eye on the components and frame for loose bolts or damaged parts. Regularly check to ensure that tightened bolts and axles are at the recommended torque settings. Check your tires for anything that could cause a puncture. Test for any loose spokes. Be attentive to excessive wear. If one part wears out, such as the chain, it can have a knock-on effect on other components, causing premature deterioration of key parts of the bike.

Charging ports can accumulate dirt, so check inside and brush out any mud with a dry cloth or brush. Keep the port closed when washing the bike. Every now and then you might want to give the battery contacts a clean. You can do this with a soft, dry brush, a cloth and (optionally) switch lubricant. If your bike has a range-extender battery (an optional second battery connected for longer rides), you should always disconnect it before cleaning and clean the connections with a soft, dry brush.

In addition, pay attention to your battery. All lithium-ion batteries gradually deteriorate and lose capacity over time. This could amount to around 5 per cent of maximum charge per year. Taking good care of the battery, storing it correctly according to temperature and environmental instructions and keeping it charged will help ensure a long life.

Safety Basics

Safety when riding an e-bike should be of paramount concern, so we have practical safety recommendations.

• Stay alert to your surroundings. When traveling on trails or off-road, watch for tree roots, holes in the path, and large stones that you can circumnavigate. When traveling on busy thoroughfares, keep an eye on cars, trucks, and other bikes. Always ride your e-bike defensively. Ensuring you have visibility on all sides is essential. Use mirrors if you plan to travel roads that have many pedestrians or other traffic. Note: All our Segways and Pedegos have handlebar and rearview mirrors that can be ordered and installed on your e-mobility device.
• Monitor your speed. It can be a temptation to travel faster on a motorized vehicle than is safe. Do not do it. Obey local speed laws, and, when in doubt, err on the side of caution.
• Practice braking. Your e-bike can easily brake, but you need to typically brake earlier than you would on a conventional bike, because it is a heavier device.
• Be visible and audible. Ensure you have front and rear lights. Wear bright and/or reflective clothing, particularly at dusk or at night. Ensure you can audibly signal your presence with a noise-making device (horn, bell, etc.)
• Wear appropriate foot gear when using the heavier e-bike. We recommend flat shoes, boots, and heavy sneakers that fully cover and protect feet. (Avoid flip-flops, as an example.) Your choice of footwear optimizes your ability to control your e-mobility device.
• Be careful in mounting, dismounting, and storing your e-bike. Remember this is a motorized vehicle, and it is heavier than a conventional bike. Practice mounting and dismounting. Ensure you have the strength to store it safely at the end of your journey.
• Wear a helmet. Just like conventional bikes and motorcycles, e-bikes should always be operated by a person who wears a helmet. The statistics are overwhelming that helmets save lives and prevent serious injuries.

We Can Help

Like any investment, looking after your electric bike will help you get the most enjoyment out of your machine, and potentially increase the lifespan of key components. At Great Lakes Segway, Walled Lake Pedego, Segway of Central Florida, and Mount Dora Pedego, we stand ready to answer any maintenance questions, help you extend the life of your e-bike, and service your Pedego or Segway at any time. We also offer warranty programs. Simply ask us!

MICHIGAN:

https://greatlakessegway.com for Segways and https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/walled-lake/ – for Pedegos

In Michigan, we can also be reached at 248 896-2600 (Sales) and 248 859-5057 (service).

Or visit both our Pedego and Segway storefronts at 239 East Walled Lake, Walled Lake, Michigan, 48390, from 10 AM through 5 PM.

FLORIDA:

https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/mt-dora/ for Pedegos, and https://greatlakessegway.com/florida/ for Segways

In Florida, we can also be reached by phone at (352) 383-9900, or just drop by for a visit at our storefronts!

Segway of Central Florida: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM through 5 PM, 430 North Alexander Street, Mount Dora, Florida, 32757 (Mondays, by appointment)

Mount Dora Pedego: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM through 5 PM, 430 North Alexander Street, Mount Dora, Florida, 32757 (Mondays, by appointment)