Maintaining your electric bike: how to maximize its lifespan?

That's it, you have your own electric bike! In addition to making your daily commute easier, traveling on two wheels will also reduce your carbon footprint. Whether you're a classic or a cargo bike, it still represents a significant investment. To keep it as long as possible, you'll need to take care of it! Are you wondering how to maintain your electric bike and what tips will help you keep it longer ? Is a cargo bike maintained the same way as a classic electric bike? We'll explain everything!

Guarantee the lifespan of your electric bike

Having your electric bike serviced: how often, at what cost?

Maintaining your electric bike yourself: best practices

Does an electric bike motor need servicing?

Maintaining your cargo bike: are there any specific features compared to a traditional electric bike?

Guarantee the lifespan of your electric bike

Taking care of your electric bike on a daily basis to ensure its longevity isn't that complicated. However, compared to a mechanical bike, the e-bike has certain specific features:

• It is heavier.
• It is more bulky (especially in the case of cargo bikes).
• It integrates electronic elements (battery, motor, dial).

Given these characteristics, there are some simple actions you can take to extend the life of your electric bike.

Adopt a smooth driving style

Like any motorized vehicle, riding an electric bike requires a certain amount of flexibility. E-bikes (and even more so cargo bikes) are heavier than a conventional bicycle. Braking suddenly or repeatedly applying emergency brakes can therefore damage your brakes more quickly .

Parking your bike inside

Whenever possible, park your electric bike in your bike shed or garage . This will protect it from the elements.

A tip if you have to leave it outside: remove the battery and the electronic dial. If you're parking it in an enclosed area like your garden, you might want to invest in a protective cover.

Taking care of the battery

To ensure the durability of your battery , here is our advice:

• When not in use, remove it and store it in a dry place at room temperature and away from light.
• Avoid using your e-bike if it is too cold or too hot (below -10°C and above 50°C). Electronic components could be damaged.
• Transport it carefully. A fall, even from a height of one meter, can be fatal. If you notice a malfunction, go to your retailer, who will be able to diagnose it.

💡 Good to know: Some lithium e-bike batteries are equipped with an electronic card, also called a BMS (Battery Management System). This allows you to regulate the battery's charging and discharging or control its temperature. On high-end batteries, you can even view the number of cycles performed. You'll also be notified when the equipment is reaching the end of its life. A battery equipped with such a system is therefore of higher quality and more durable than a model without a BMS.

Having your electric bike serviced: how often, at what cost?

How often you need to service your electric bike depends mainly on how you use it. If you commute daily, expect two services per year . One annual service is sufficient for recreational use.

The cost of servicing an electric bike varies depending on the model of your bike, but also depends on the service provider you use. For a traditional e-bike, the cost will be around €60 (excluding component replacement). This amount can go up to €100 for a cargo bike (1) .

1. : average price of a service noted by the UFC Que Choisir association in June 2021.

Maintaining your electric bike yourself: best practices

Beyond the annual check-up that you can carry out at a professional, there are a few simple actions that can be carried out at home.

Cleaning the bike

Especially in winter, the mechanical components of your electric bike are put under a lot of strain. Dust, mud, and other impurities become encrusted on the frame and wheels and can ultimately damage your bike.

To avoid this, you can clean it with a soft cloth and soap . If you use a water jet, remove all electronic components first. Be careful not to use a high-pressure jet like a Kärcher !

Transmission maintenance

The drivetrain includes all the components (crankset, derailleur, cassette, chain, or belt) necessary for the operation of your bike. As with the frame and wheels, clean it regularly using a soft cloth and a stiff-bristled brush to remove dirt.

If your bike has a chain, clean it with a degreaser before oiling it with a suitable lubricant. If it has a belt, do the same using a special belt lubricant.

💡Good to know: Compared to a chain, a belt is more durable over time. The one installed on our Galian cargotail has a lifespan of around 20,000 km!

Tire check

Check your tires once or twice a month to make sure they are properly inflated. If they are not, reinflate them. To find out the ideal pressure for your tires, refer to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Properly inflated tires ensure greater comfort and a smoother ride. This action also guarantees greater durability of your tires!

The condition of the brakes

Effective brakes guarantee your safety . Whether they are rim or disc brakes, they require regular maintenance:

• For rim brakes: You can check the wear of the pads by checking the thickness of the rubber between the caliper and the wheel of your bike.
• For disc brakes: If the brake pads are less than 3 mm thick, they must be replaced. Note that a whistling noise may appear as the pads wear out. If these are not visible, visit your bike repair shop!

If your e-bike is equipped with hydraulic brakes (pads or discs), you must also keep the brake fluid topped up. Of course, if you're not mechanically inclined, these checks are carried out during your e-bike's annual service.

💡 Good to know: more and more e-bikes are connected to an app . This allows you to control your bike remotely (lock it in case of a break-in attempt, for example), but also to have access to a certain amount of essential information. For example, the Galian brand mobile app sends you a notification as soon as a part needs to be changed. Practical, isn't it? 😉

Does an electric bike motor need servicing?

An electric bike's motor doesn't require any special maintenance. When servicing your e-bike, the technician will simply check that the motor is properly tightened, whether it's located in the wheel or the crankset.

If the professional notices any malfunction in the motorization, he can perform an initial diagnosis and update the software. In some cases, electrical or electronic components may be damaged. The motorization will then have to be returned to the manufacturer.

Maintaining your cargo bike: are there any specific features compared to a traditional electric bike?

Compared to a classic electric bike, the cargo bike is maintained in the same way.

There are, however, other checkpoints that are important to verify:

• the correct tightening of the screws on the front box of your cargo bike or the rear seat of your longtail;
• the correct tightening of child safety elements (guardrails on the longtail and seat belts at the front on the cargo bike);
• the correct tightening and oiling of the stand, which is used much more on a cargo bike than on a conventional bike;
• tire pressure and proper brake function. Since cargo bikes are heavier than conventional electric bikes, these components are subject to greater stress.

Either way, whether you own a classic electric bike or an electric cargo bike, regular maintenance is essential. Mechanical and electronic components can be serviced by a professional once or twice a year. All you'll need is a little elbow grease to clean it. Because a gleaming e-bike looks great, don't you think?