7 Maintenance Tips to Increase Your Electric Bike’s Lifespan

Electric bikes are trending because they offer an eco-friendly transport that is apt for both exercise and commuting.

Also, they are space-savvy, which means you will no longer be late to work due to the hassle of finding a parking spot.

If you already own an e-bike or are considering purchasing one, you need to know a few tips to increase the lifespan of your e-bike.

Just a bit of care and regular maintenance can go a long way to allow you to ride your e-bike in peace.

1. Keep Your E-bike, Dirt-free

Nothing is smoother than an e-bike that is clean, and yes, green, too, thanks to its eco-friendly features.

However, do not go overboard with the cleaning stuff. While regular cleaning is essential to clear up gunk and grime accumulated in the drivetrain component of your e-bike, excessive cleaning can do more harm than good.  

Also, be mindful to remove the battery and place a cloth over the control unit to prevent water seepage inside as it can ruin internal components.

Wash your e-bike with a garden hose and not jet wash. Jet wash can eliminate the factory grease applied on the bearing which alters the functioning. It can also put the electronics in your e-bike’s drive system at stake.

2. Keep Tabs on Your E-bike’s Battery Health

If you desire to increase your electric bike’s lifespan, then taking care of its battery is pivotal. Indeed, the battery is the lifeline of your e-bike; and thus, it is an essential component. Specifically, if you are an athlete who rides electric bikes for marathons; range, performance, and durability must be your primary concern, and it is all managed by the battery. So be very careful while you are attaching and detaching the battery.

If you want longevity and better performance of your e-bike, choosing the right kind of battery is also essential. Lithium-ion battery works perfectly; you can charge it virtually a hundred times, and it will last you a lifetime, increasing your electric bike’s lifespan.

3. Do not Overcharge Your Electric Bike’s Battery

There is always a sudden urge among bike enthusiasts to charge their electric bike with the thought of ‘topping it off.’ However, this frequent and unnecessary charging can overcharge your battery, reducing its efficiency and eventually influencing your electric bike’s lifespan.

If you are not riding your electric bike for long, for example, during snowy winters, remember to give the battery a full charge and keep it away.

To properly store your battery, it is apt to peruse your electric bike’s instruction manual thoroughly. When handled with care, batteries can last you a lifetime, boosting your electric bike’s efficiency.

4. Store Your Electric Bike’s Battery at the Right Temperature

The external temperature always influences your electric bike’s battery health. It also explains why you might suffer through the issue of low mileage during the colder seasons.

Therefore, when you are storing your battery away, be mindful of the storage temperature. It should not be too hot or too cold; a moderate temperature works in favor of increasing your battery’s lifespan.

Also, if you desire to boost the battery health of your e-bike, try to minimize the use of pedal assist. Using pedal-assist drains your battery faster than normal usage and might wear out over an extended period of time. This affects the charging capacity as well as the lifespan of your e-bike.

5. Use Your Own Electric Bike Charger

To enhance the lifespan of your e-bike; you need to boost its battery health as much as possible. Therefore, stick with the battery charger that originally came with your e-bike as that charger was specifically made for your bike. Charging from others’ chargers can lead to damage as you never know the condition their chargers.

As the major focus of the e-bike manufacturer is eco-friendliness and affordability, they explicitly design the charger in accordance. This also implies that the manufacturer undergoes thorough testing to ensure that the charger works optimally with your e-bike’s battery.

If you use any other charger, it may speed up the charging process but will heat up your battery leading to another expense of battery replacement. Also, your e-bike has been designed to optimally function with its in-built battery. Thus, replacing a battery can influence your bike’s efficiency; impacting its lifespan.

6. Keep Your Electric Bike Tires Inflated

Sounds too obvious to be a tip? Yet, it is one of the things that many electric bike owners do not pay attention to!

Even though it is common sense to keep your electric bike’s tire inflated, we thought of revealing the science behind it.

The truth is when your bike’s tire is not in good shape; your ride will be bumpy and uneven, forcing the battery to exert more power in order to keep it rolling. When your battery is constantly over-working, it wears out eventually; sabotaging the lifespan of your e-bike.

Therefore, cultivate a habit of inspecting the tire of your bike before you set off for a ride. Just a swift glance on the surface of your tire is enough to spot any nail, thorn, or any sharp object etc.

Lastly, maintain adequate air pressure in your e-bike’s tires.

7. Do not Skip Drive System Maintenance

No matter how skilled you were at fixing your bicycle, drive system maintenance is best left in the hands of authorized mechanics or service shops.

By regularly maintaining the drive system at a dealership or service shop, you ensure that your e-bike is always serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s set standards; while covering you under warranty. Indeed, a pocket-friendly deal!

Yet, to satisfy your self-taught mechanic soul, check all the nuts and bolts on your electric bike regularly to maintain its health. Also, keep an eye on the lock rings for the chain wheel to ensure maximum torque is produced while you pedal through your journey.

Additionally, regularly lubricating and degreasing your e-bike’s chain is also vital to increase your electric bike’s lifespan. Remember to get rid of grime on your e-bike’s chain before lubing it. Use a rag to do so, and later apply a coat of fresh lubricant sparingly.

Lastly, do not forget about the drivetrain component, and use your e-bike’s gear aptly; it will expand the longevity of your e-bike’s component.

The Bottom Line

The truth is, no electric bike will function for a lifetime. However, the tips revealed above can empower you to get more juice out of your electric bike’s battery and other essential components, prolonging its lifespan.

Hopefully, your e-bike will be in much better shape after applying some of these tips. We hope you have comfortable and smooth rides ahead!