E-bike Maintenance

Learn about what you can do to keep your new ride in good condition with these basic maintenance tips

Tips on maintaining your bike

Simple maintenance tips that anyone can do at home!

Check your tyre pressure every few rides

Running too little pressure in your tyres increases the risk of getting a puncture or damaging the wheel when you ride on rougher terrain.

Unsure of how much pressure to put in your tyres? Check out our guide below!

Please note, always check the writing on the side of your tyres. Most tyres have a minimum / maximum pressure stated on the tyre.

Rider's Weight

on-road riding

off-road riding

<65 kg’s

30 - 35 PSI

20 - 23 PSI

65 - 80 kg’s

35 - 45 PSI

22 - 26 PSI

80 - 95kg’s

45 - 55 PSI

24 - 30 PSI

95+ kg’s

55 PSI up to max displayed on tyre

30 PSI up to max displayed on tyre

FActors to lower tyre pressure

FActors to increase tyre pressurE

Wanting more grip

Minimise the chance of damaging the rim

Riding with tyre inserts

Tyres narrower than 1.8 inch

Tyres wider than 2.8 inch

Carry heavy a load (luggage, cargo etc.)

Temperature below 0° Celsius

Trails with sharp rocks

Lubricate your chain every couple of rides!

Regularly cleaning and applying a lubricant to your chain will ensure the transmission runs smoothly. We recommend doing this every few rides and always after washing your bike.

Does the chain feel dry or make a squeaky noise when pedalling? this is a sign that it needs lubrication.

There are different types of lubricants out there, some more suitable for dry or wet riding conditions.

Applying lubricant is a piece of cake, check out the quick tip from our mechanic on how to do this at home below.

How to apply chain lube?

On E-bikes, it can be a bit harder to apply chain lube as the chain ring doesn't always move when pedalling backwards.

If you don't have a bike stand at home, the below demonstration video & picture might work for you!

How to?

First check the chain ring on your E-bike, if it has bolts use an Allen Key, if not, use a strong velcro or cable-tie
Insert the Allen Key in one of the bolts or wrap the strap around the pedal and chain ring (view pictures -->)
If the chain is dirty first clean with a rag and remove all excess dirt (sometimes this isn't enough, and you will need to clean the chain with a brush and degreaser)
Rotate the pedal backwards by hand
(the front chain ring & chain will now move when pedalling backwards)
Apply the chain lube at the bottom, while moving the crank/pedal
Apply one full rotation and continue rotating to distribute the lubricant.

Never apply too much lubricate, as this will attract too much dirt.

No need to purchase a fancy tool for this, just use a velcro strap or cable tie, some chain rings also work with an Allen Key.

Clean your bike when dirty!

When you have been out on a muddy ride it is recommended to wash your E-bike.

You can do this with a low-pressure hose, a bucket with water or a brush (never use a high-pressure washer!). There are different cleaning products on the market to make cleaning even easier and some even leave a protection layer on the bike.

Avoid spraying these cleaning products on your brake rotors as this can contaminate the brakes, which results in loss of braking power. Also, avoid spraying directly on the charging ports and ensure these are all closed and sealed. You can clean your charging ports with a dry cloth or brush.

Find the Do's & Don'ts on cleaning your E-bike below

Do's & Don'ts on cleaning your E-bike?

Don't wash your E-bike with a high-pressure washer.
Even though the electrical parts on an E-bike are water resistant, cleaning it with high-pressure can cause serious damage. Water and dirt can also find its way into the bearings under high pressure, so even on the non-electrical parts it is a NO-GO.
Don't wash your E-bike upside down
The E-bike is designed to be upright, if water goes in the frame, motor or battery it drains through the bottom. If you have the bike upside down water can't find its way out and it might cause damage to electronics or even your dropper post.
Dry your E-bike before storing
Bounce the bike a couple of times to remove excess water and wipe down the electronic connections and ports. Also wipe the chain and apply some lube. Storing the E-bike wet can cause rust and can damage the electronics.
Avoid spraying directly on the electrical components
It is best to avoid spraying directly on the electrical components and ports.
Avoid spraying cleaning products on the brake rotors
Never spray cleaning products directly on the brake rotors as this can contaminate the brakes, which results in loss of brake power. Also, never touch the brake rotors with your fingers, as this can often cause the same effect. If you want to clean brake rotors always use isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth.
Avoid using any strong chemicals
Harsh chemicals can damage some parts on your E-bike.

How often to bring your E-bike in for servicing?

Preventing is better than curing

How often your E-bike needs servicing depends on the type of bike, how often you use the bike and the conditions you ride in.

Generally, E-bikes make more kilometres compared to an analog bike, plus they are also a bit heavier. Wear and tear components like brake pads, chains and cassettes might need replacing after a couple of months.

BOOK THE GENERAL CHECK HERE

Things to look out for!

Servicing your bike regularly can prevent unnecessary repairs or replacement costs.

Issues can occur at any time, therefore it is best to listen to your bike, as it will tell you most of the time that it needs love and attention.

Look out for:

You hear ticking/clicking noises from the drivetrain
It doesn't shift gears as smoothly as it used to do
The brakes make strange noises (especially in combination with loss of braking power)
The suspension creaks with every compression

Guidelines on service frequencies

I ride less than once a week
If you don't ride your bike very often and you never ride in wet conditions, then servicing it once a year should be fine.
I ride occasionally, once a week or every weekend
We recommend booking your bike twice a year. If you ride a lot in wet/muddy conditions, is it recommended to get it serviced more often.
I ride frequently, 2 times a week or more.
If you ride more frequently it is recommended to service your bike every 3 to 4 months.

It is always best to listen to your bike, if something feels off, or there are ticking/creaking noises, book it in for a service.

Hubtiger Bike Maintenance App

Stay up to date with your bike maintenance and ensure each component is well maintained and replaced when needed.

This app integrates with our workshop system and allows you to view recent services and maintenance history. You can also record self-services or make changes to your bike.

Find out more here >

Happy Riding

Are you ready to start exploring with your E-bike?

We hope this short guide helped you understand how to care for & maintain your E-bike.

If you have any questions, or you need help with certain aspects.

Please feel free to contact us and we are happy to help.