You use your e-bike for recreation or as a convenient mode of transport. Therefore, it would be very disappointing if your e-bike is damaged due to lack of maintenance and you are unable to ride it. With this in mind, you need to look after your e-bike.
Regular maintenance of your e-bike will keep it in good working order, prolong its life and increase its reliability. It's even more important to maintain your e-bike during the winter months, as winter conditions can cause serious damage to its components.
In this article, we'll provide you with a number of winter e-bike maintenance tips to ensure that your bike runs perfectly.
Winter eBike Maintenance Plan
You should perform different levels of maintenance on your e-bike at different times. Some maintenance tasks should be done before and after each ride; others can be done as monthly or weekly checks, but it depends on how often you ride. Let's break it down.
Check your e-bike weekly
When you ride your e-bike regularly during the winter, a few things can happen. Some parts may come loose and others may wear out, so keeping a close eye on them will keep your bike running smoothly and your ride safe. Here is what you should do:
1. Clean the drivetrain
The drivetrain consists of the sprocket, flywheel, derailleur and chain. Keeping these parts clean will prevent them from wearing out too quickly. You should also lubricate the chain of your e-bike with a wet lubricant to prevent it from rusting and keep it running smoothly.
2. Check the crankset
You will be using the crankset constantly while riding, which means that the crankset will loosen over time. Therefore, it is important that you check that the crankset is tight enough to avoid damage.
3. Check the brake pads
Since e-bikes are heavier, they require more braking power than regular bikes.
This means that the brake pads wear out faster and therefore checking them is an essential safety precaution. This is a simple task as all you need to do is check that the brake pads have enough braking material. If the pads look like they're wearing down too much, it's time to replace them so you have enough braking power when you need it.
Check your e-bike monthly
Whether you ride in the summer or winter, it's always a good idea to take the time to thoroughly inspect your e-bike. If you're not sure how to do these checks, you may want to take your e-bike to a bike shop just to be sure.
1. Check the chain
The torque of an electric motor puts a lot of stress on the chain of your bike. This can cause the chain to stretch and wear out over time. You can use a chain stretch gauge to see if the chain is stretching, but if the chain looks worn, you can determine if the chain needs to be replaced.
Riding with a worn chain will gradually wear out other drivetrain components, causing you to need expensive repairs.
2. Clean and lubricate suspension components
Some e-bikes are equipped with suspensions that require maintenance. This is especially true during the winter months when they are exposed to a lot of dirt and salt. Regular cleaning of suspension components will prevent them from wearing out and corroding. It's also a good idea to check the rubber seals as you may need to replace them if they are damaged.
3. Make sure brakes and gear lines run smoothly
When riding in the winter, braking must be accurate and reliable. You can lubricate the cables by dripping oil inside the housing and letting it run over. You can also do the same for the gear cables.
If any of the cables look worn or frayed, it's time to replace them, which is a simple job.
The only tricky part is indexing the year after replacing the cables. But there are plenty of videos online that can teach you how to do this.
4. Thoroughly clean your drivetrain
Your drivetrain components are susceptible to damage if they are covered in dirt and salt. Therefore, you need to clean the parts with a degreaser and then re-lubricate them.
What to check on your e-bike before each ride
Before riding your e-bike, you should perform some simple checks. By taking just 5 to 10 minutes to check before you go, you can rest assured that your e-bike will operate properly and safely.
1. Check tyre pressure
When your e-bike has the right tyre pressure, it will run efficiently and handle properly. If you ride on slippery surfaces such as snow or ice, you may need to reduce the tyre pressure slightly. By lowering the tyre pressure by 2 or 3 psi, you will get more traction because the tyre has more contact area with the ground.
All you need is a tyre pressure gauge and a pump to check tyre pressure.
2. Check your brakes
It doesn't hurt to check the condition of your brake pads before you ride, as this will let you know when they need to be replaced. You should also make sure the calipers are tight and not wobbly. Then, test them by starting slowly and applying the brakes before setting off on your ride.
3. Check the bolts
You may want to check all the bolts on your e-bike before you set off on your ride. The fastest way to do this is to perform an M-check. This involves following an M pattern starting at the front wheel and ending at the rear wheel, tightening all the bolts along the way.
When performing this operation, make sure you do not over-tighten the bolts as this can cause serious problems; just tighten them enough.
4. Check the remaining battery power
Before you leave home, make sure your battery is fully charged for the journey. You don't want to be stuck in the cold with a flat battery. Therefore, before you leave, start your bike and check the battery level on the LCD. If it's low, plug it in.
When you ride in the winter, you need to be aware that cold weather can negatively affect the efficiency of your battery, which can shorten your range.
What to do after each ride
1. Clean the chain
If you ride in snowy or wet weather, it's a good idea to clean and lubricate your e-bike's chain after every ride. This is even more important if you ride off-road and on muddy surfaces. The easiest way to do this is to use a chain cleaner or use a degreaser and wipe it down with a clean cloth.
Make sure your e-bike is switched off so you don't get your fingers caught in the chain.
2. Clean the frame
Even if you don't thoroughly clean your e-bike after a ride, it's a good idea to wipe the frame with a cloth. Doing so will remove any salt or traffic stains picked up during the ride, which can eventually corrode the frame if left unattended.
3. Charge the battery
If you get back to your bike in the morning and realise that you haven't plugged in your charger, it's going to be a bad start to the day. Therefore, you should charge your battery before you forget. However, don't plug in the charger right away; let the battery cool down for 20 to 30 minutes before plugging it in. This will extend the life of your battery.
Storing your e-bike in winter
It's important not to let your e-bike battery get too cold. Leaving it outside or in a cold garage can significantly shorten its life. If you have no choice but to leave your e-bike in a cold place, it's best to insulate it with a neoprene cover or anything that will prevent it from being damaged by cold temperatures.
If you know you won't be using your e-bike for a while, don't leave the battery as is. Make sure you charge the battery to between 30 and 60 per cent. This keeps the battery balanced and doesn't put it under too much stress for long periods of time. This will greatly extend its lifespan.
Final thoughts
Maintaining your Bodywel e-bike during the winter months is relatively easy. Some maintenance tasks are trickier than others, so if you don't feel you have the time, skills or tools to do the job yourself, we recommend that you take your e-bike to a quality bike shop that can help you.
