How to take care of an electric bicycle?

Buying an electrician is a considerable expense. So it’s no wonder that every freshly minted e-bike owner huffs and puffs on his new acquisition to keep it in impeccable condition for as long as possible. Fortunately, this is not difficult – you just need to pay closer attention to some of the more sensitive elements. Find out how to take care of an electric bicycle and where to store it so that it will repay you with trouble-free riding for a long time.

How to take care of an electric bicycle? First of all, find the right place for it

It is known that electronics can sometimes be sensitive to adverse weather conditions. Surely you are well aware of this if you have happened to waterlog your phone or complain about the battery draining quickly in the cold. Although electrics are designed to be driven in the rain, in the long run they too don’t like humidity or too low or high temperatures. Storing an e-bike in the right place is important for its condition.

How to store an electric bicycle? First of all, in a dry, sheltered from rain and warm, but not brightly sunny place. The temperature in such a room should be between 10 and 25°C, so in winter an unheated garage or basement will not be a good choice. Even more so the balcony! Outdoor storage is detrimental even to an ordinary bicycle, let alone an electric one.

If you don’t live in a block of apartments and don’t have a place where you can safely keep a unicycle, consider “garaging” it in an apartment. With the help of a bike rack or hanger, you can easily set aside a bit of space for it even in a studio apartment. A bicycle stored on such a holder will be well protected from accidental tipping or scratching, and at the same time will not clutter the apartment.

How to store the battery from an electric bicycle?

The battery is the most critical part of an electric bicycle. It is its heart – after all, it is what sets the whole system in motion, supporting the cyclist’s muscular work during the ride. If you don’t have the ability to store your electrician at home, take at least a battery to your apartment. Especially in the autumn-winter season – when exposed to moisture and low temperatures, the battery can degrade more quickly.

However, when answering the question of how to store a battery from an electric bicycle, we can’t just say in a dry and warm place. It is also important to remember to keep it charged, especially during winter dormancy. Above all, don’t store the battery completely discharged! If the battery “dies” on the road, plug it in right away when you get home. During longer breaks from driving, regularly check its charge level. The general rules state that:

• Gel (lead-acid) batteries should be fully charged before winter dormancy,
• while lithium-ion batteries are stored with a medium charge.

However, it is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions in this regard, as brands develop their own, often very specific recommendations. For example, Bosch and Fazua recommend storing the battery at 30-60% capacity, while Shimano recommends 70% or more.

How to charge the battery in an electric bicycle?

The battery in an electric bicycle (like any other battery, by the way) has a certain lifespan, determined by the number of full charge cycles. Once this ceiling is reached, the cell’s capacity drops to approx. 70%, and then it starts to decline a little faster. The degradation of the battery can be further accelerated by repeatedly discharging it to zero – harmful chemical processes occur in a discharged battery.

The recommendation that the battery in electrical devices should be completely discharged before charging is a myth. This approach has worked well for nickel-cadmium cells, which are not used in electrics. Modern lithium-ion batteries can be recharged at any time. If you need to unplug your bike when the battery is at 60% capacity – no worries, it will be fine. Also, don’t wait to recharge until the battery starts asking for it. You can confidently recharge it when it shows 40% or 50% capacity, and you expect that this will not be enough for the route you are planning.

However, remember not to leave the battery connected to the charger for an extended period of time. Also, do not cover these components with any stickers or protective film – heat is generated during charging, and it must find a natural, unrestricted outlet.

Chain, brake pads, tires

Although the maintenance of an electric bike is not very different from that of a regular bike, there are a few items that are worth looking at more closely:

• Chain. In a power-assisted bicycle, especially in models with a center motor, more forces are exerted on the chain than in the case of a unicycle without power steering, so you need to check the condition of the links more often and replace them in time if necessary.
• Brake pads – wear out faster than on a traditional bicycle because electrics are much heavier.
• Tire pressure – check it regularly, as improper tire pressure levels can hinder driving and thus affect the battery’s range.
• Given the heavier weight of an electric bicycle, it is also worth checking from time to time whether the spokes in the wheels are getting too loose.

How to take care of an electric bicycle? Be careful when washing!

In order to enjoy a trouble-free ride for as long as possible, it is necessary not only to take care of the bike’s technical condition, but also its cleanliness. Sand, dust and other debris disrupt the drive and make it harder to spot the first corrosion outbreaks. So after every ride in the mud, and regularly throughout the season, it’s a good idea to fund your two wheels a little home spa.

Cleaning an electric bicycle is no more complicated than cleaning a regular unicycle. But before you get down to business, once again, go back to your owner’s manual and check whether the manufacturer recommends removing the battery or display for cleaning. Also be more careful when cleaning electronics-related components – instead of pouring water over them, use a damp cloth soaked in a mild detergent.

Also let go of using a pressure washer. Washing an ordinary bicycle with it requires skill and care – so as not to accidentally wash the grease out of the hubs or rudders and “push” particles of dirt into their delicate structures. In the case of an electrician, there is also the issue of moisture-sensitive electronics. Although the entire system is rainproof, treating it with high-pressure water can end badly. We strongly advise against it!

Brutus Up Pro – electric bike stand

Finally, a little inspiration on how to store an electric bicycle. If you are looking for a sturdy, durable stand that will hold your electrician and allow you to better utilize space in your apartment or garage, we recommend our Brutus Up Pro model. It allows you to store your bike both horizontally and vertically, so you can choose the layout that suits you better. Using the Brutus Up Pro stand is child’s play at the same time. In addition to the standard features that make daily use easier, the Brutus Up Pro also has room for a charger – it is fully equipped to store an electrician.