The following is brought to you with our friends at Halfords.
The popularity of electric bikes shows no signs of slowing down, as more of us experience the joys of electric-powered pedalling. E-bikes come fitted with an electric motor and battery pack for power, but the rest of the bike is reassuringly familiar – which is why they’re relatively easy to maintain and repair.
Keep your e-bike clean!
Electric bikes, like all bikes, get dirty – but if left, this dirt, dust and grime can affect the crucial components on your bike, which can lead to breakdowns. You should give your electric bike a wipe down after every ride, taking care to remove any excess mud and muck from the motor and battery.
Every few weeks you should give the bike a proper clean with a dedicated bike cleaner and degreaser. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, including whether the battery should be removed before washing. Use a bucket and bike cleaning tools and leave your pressure washer for your car or decking, as high-pressure water can find its way into important areas of your bike, like the bearings.
Wipe the bike down with a towel or cloth to remove any residual moisture, taking special care to ensure no water comes into contact with the battery or terminals. Use special bike lube and apply it to the moving parts of your bike, such as the chain, front and rear mechs.
e-bike maintenance
Electric bikes use motors and batteries, but at their core, they’re good old fashioned pedal cycles, which makes them simple to work on. We explore the more complicated area of batteries and motors below, but learning a bit of basic bike maintenance is a must.
Before every ride you should give your electric bike a once over, checking the tyres are inflated, the gears index properly, and the whole thing runs smoothly and without a squeak. Electric bikes are deceptively quick with the battery powered motor adding an impressive kick to each pedal stroke, so always check your front and rear brakes are working, providing progressive stopping power – which means the more you pull, the harder they brake.
Electric bike battery charging
Follow the bike and battery manufacturer’s instructions for charging, cooling, storage and battery removal. Charging times and recommended charge levels vary by model; avoid applying one fixed schedule to every battery.
Use the supplied charger or a replacement authorised by the manufacturer for that battery. Do not use an incompatible charger. If a battery is hot, allow it to cool as instructed before charging.
Charge while you are awake and at home, never unattended. Keep the battery and charger uncovered, away from combustible materials and clear of escape routes. Unplug the charger when charging is complete.
Do not charge a damaged battery. If you notice damage, overheating, swelling or another fault, stop using it and seek advice from the manufacturer or retailer. Read the government’s battery-safety advice for e-cycle users.
Electric bike battery care
Halfords’ Premium E-Bike CycleCare package is available from £65. It includes eligible inner-tube repairs and replacements, brake and gear adjustments, 15% off eligible accessories and parts in store, and 45% off one year’s Cycleplan total premium, subject to the package and insurance terms. Check Halfords’ current package details before buying.
If you’re considering an e-bike, check out the electric bike buyers guide, which is packed full of information and advice to help you select the right one.
Maximise your electric bike battery range
It’s true that the larger the battery in your e-bike, the longer it will last, but careful use and care can see you eke out extra performance from your battery and motor, maximising your cycling range.
The first thing to be aware of is the mode that you’re using. Most battery-powered bikes have a variety of modes, including turbo, tour and eco modes. Turbo – as the name suggests – will get you there as quickly as possible, but will use the most energy. Eco mode provides less support but uses less power.
The heavier the load, the harder the motor will have to work and the more power it will use up– so to maximise your bikes range cut down on the non-essentials. Under-inflated tyres can create drag on the road, which is inefficient, taking more effort from the rider and the motor to make progress. A well maintained, properly lubricated and efficiently set up bike will be most efficient.
E-Bike care packages
Halfords’ Premium E-Bike CycleCare package is available from £65. It includes eligible inner-tube repairs and replacements, brake and gear adjustments, 15% off eligible accessories and parts in store, and 45% off one year’s Cycleplan total premium, subject to the package and insurance terms. Check Halfords’ current package details before buying.
If you’re considering an e-bike, check out the electric bike buyers guide, which is packed full of information and advice to help you select the right one.