The maintenance of electric bikes in Orange County is important for two main reasons. The first reason is safety. As with any other bike, a well-maintained e-bike is safer to ride and less likely to break down or have mechanical trouble while you are on the road. The other reason is that an electric bicycle represents a significant investment, and you want to protect it.
In many respects, the maintenance of an electric bike is similar to maintaining a traditional bike. However, there are some special concerns that pertain more to e-bikes.
Understand the Difference Between Mechanical and Electrical Faults
How do electric bikes work? Most of the mechanical systems are similar to what you would find on a traditional bicycle. The difference is that an e-bike also has an electrical motor powered by a rechargeable battery. Depending on what mode you choose to ride in, the electric motor can propel the bike independently, with no need to pedal on your part, or it can assist you to make pedaling easier.
The electrical components are surrounded by waterproof casing so you can ride safely in all kinds of weather. Nevertheless, you should avoid spraying any water directly at these components while cleaning the bike to avoid unintentionally damaging them. If there is an electrical fault in the system, there is little you can do to fix it yourself. Any attempt to do so could result in further damage, a voided warranty, or even electric shock. Instead, take it to a bike shop familiar with your type of electric bicycle.
Charge the Battery
Because it can take a while to charge an electric bike’s battery completely, it is a good idea to plug it in when you finish a ride. That way, when you want to head out again, it will be charged and ready to go. There are also things you can do to make the battery’s charge last longer. For example, you can ride in pedal-assist mode rather than full throttle to save some battery power.
Perform Routine Checks Before Riding
On a traditional bike, when the tires are not properly inflated or the gears are worn down, you notice right away because this makes it harder to move the bike. However, an e-bike’s electrical motor can mask some of these problems so you may not be fully aware of them. Nevertheless, these problems can still put undue strain on the battery. Before you take a ride, you should always check to make sure that the tires are properly inflated, the gears are fine, the brakes are working, etc.
Keep It Clean
In a perfect world, you would clean your electric beach cruiser after every ride immediately after you got home. If this is not practical, however, the less often you ride, the less frequently you may have to clean your bike. For example, if you only ride a few times a week, one cleaning every seven days may be sufficient. Clean electrical components carefully with a clean, damp cloth and then make sure to dry thoroughly rather than pointing a stream of water directly at them.
Taking care of your electric bike with regular maintenance helps you get a lot more use out of it. The online retailer from which you purchase your e-bike may have more specific maintenance tips.
