Maintenance Guide

Now that you've acquired your new eBike, you might be pondering, "What type of maintenance do I need to perform and how often?" Similar to traditional bicycles, eBikes require regular maintenance to uphold their safety and durability. Maintaining your eBike is akin to caring for a car, involving straightforward tasks that, once habitual, will feel as routine as donning your shoes before stepping out the door, and will be as effortless as a breeze!

To ensure the safety and durability of your eBike, it's essential to adhere to six distinct maintenance schedules. Many of these tasks are likely already part of your routine without you realizing it. While some maintenance activities may initially seem daunting, once you've mastered them, they too will become second nature. Therefore, don't be daunted by this seemingly extensive list. It's simply a matter of establishing a regular maintenance routine.

PRE-RIDE CHECKLIST

With a little practice this will take you around 5 minutes!

TASK	TOOLS	INSTRUCTIONS
Check Tire Pressure	Tire Pressure Gauge	Check tire pressure is within the range specified by the manufacturer. The range or limits can be found on the sidewall of the tire. Fill or release air as necessary.
Inspect Brakes	N/A	Whilst rolling your ebike besides you, pull on one of the brake levers. The ebike should come to a stop immediately. Repeat with the other lever.
Check Headset	N/A	Pull the front brake and rock the ebike forward and backward. There should be no play in the handlebar mount. Tighten if needed and re-test.
Clean & Lube Chain	Chain Lube & Rag	With the tires of your ebike off the floor, grasp the chain between the back gears and pedals with a clean rag. Spin the pedals a few times so that the chain runs a few cycles through the rag, cleaning off any dirt. Apply lube as instructed by the manufacturer.
Check Wheel Tightness	N/A	Check that each wheel's axle nuts are tight and there's no wheel wobble. Tighten as needed.
Check Battery Charge	N/A	Turn on your ebike and ensure it is sufficiently charged for your journey.

POST-RIDE CHECKLIST

Again, with a little practice this will take you less than 10 minutes to finish!

TASK	TOOLS	INSTRUCTIONS
Inspect Tires & Rims	N/A	Look for debris and damage on the rims and tires.
Check Shifter & Derailleur	N/A	With your ebike tires off the floor, turn the pedals and shift through the gears. Your ebike should shift seamlessly. Additionally, check the derailleur for any debris.
Wipe Down Frame	Clean, damp rag	Take a rag and wipe the frame of the ebike. Whilst doing so inspect for any damage and cracks.
Wipe Down Chain	Clean Rag	With the tires of your ebike off the floor, grasp the chain with the rag and spin the pedals a few times so the chain runs through the rag (The frequency of this step is dependent on both climate and the terrain you ride in. Some may need to do it daily others every month).
Check Pedals	N/A	Give your pedals a once over to check for any cracking.
Check Wheel Straightness	N/A	Turn each wheel in turn whilst looking straight down the tire. You should observe no wobble.
Charge Battery	Battery Charger	Put your battery on the charger so your ebike is fueled and ready for your next adventure.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Important - The checklists below may be labeled by a specific timescale however these time scales are directed at the daily rider. If you're just a weekend warrior or intermittent, casual rider then you ebike is going to need these tuneups less frequently.

If you're a daily rider then doing some further research and purchasing the tools and equipment necessary to complete these lists may be to your long term financial benefit; plus you get to become much more knowledgeable and in-tune (pun intended) with your daily ride.

WEEKLY EBIKE CHECKLIST

An easy undertaking, which can be done with basic bike tools.

• Wipe down chainrings, cassette, and derailleur pulleys and check for proper alignment
• Inspect brake pads
• Check hardware for proper torque
• Oversee the condition of the frame, looking for any damage

MONTHLY EBIKE CHECKLIST

A more in-depth inspection and tuneup which requires some in-depth research and special, but not hard to find, materials.

• Check brake pad alignment and brake cable tension
• Verify if derailleur is shifting properly and check chain stretch
• Lube all braking and gear shifting cables including drivetrain
• Check spoke tension and true wheels if necessary
• Tighten any accessory mounting (rack bolts, fender hardware, and confirm alignment)

SIX MONTH EBIKE CHECKLIST

This is also known as a complete tune-up in many locations and is recommended twice a year for daily users and one a year for weekend warrior or casual riders. This costs around $100 at most ebike tune-up locations.

• Adjust brakes to ensure proper functionality
• Adjust gear shifters to ensure power functionality
• Lube both brake and gear shifting systems
• Ensure drivetrain is working as normal
• True your wheels
• Check bearing system
• Safety check all bolts
• Inspect all cables and housing

ANNUAL CHECKLIST

More of an addition to the six-month checklist, the annual checklist involves everything from the six month checklist along with a full breakdown of your ebike, checking all the components are working as they should be, cleaning said components, lubing them and putting your ebike back together. For daily commuter and serious riders this should be completed annually. For weekend warriors or casual riders it is probably only necessary every 18 months to 2 years.

A FINAL NOTE

If you feel unsure about handling any of the tasks listed in the checklists above, consider taking your eBike to the nearest eBike service center and explaining the services you require. These experienced technicians are often able to identify any issues instinctively due to their extensive knowledge.

Moreover, before committing to spending $100 on tuning your eBike every six months, it's crucial to assess how frequently you utilize your eBike. Visit your local eBike service center and provide them with details about your usage patterns; they can offer guidance on the optimal frequency for servicing your eBike. With regular servicing and maintenance, your eBike will continue to serve you well into the future!