How to clean and maintain your electric bike

How to clean and maintain your electric bike

When you buy a good electric bike, regular cleaning and maintenance are necessary. This will allow it to stay with you longer. After a short period of time, simple cleaning should be done, especially after riding some muddy roads.

A simple wipe with a wet towel is fine, but you can do more.

The following are some experiences of professional bicycle mechanics on personal cleaning and maintenance of bicycles at home.

When to clean

If you have just finished riding and your bike looks clean, you do not need to wash it thoroughly. But if possible, wipe the chain clean, apply new lubricant to it, and then wipe it clean.

If your bike looks dirty, say there is a layer of mud on it. Then you’d better clean it up before putting it up. The gravel can enter places you can’t believe, such as bicycle bearings or rear shocks, which can affect your riding experience. Cleaning the bicycle in time can extend the life of the bicycle.

Cleaning tools

First of all, it can be cleaned by standing directly on the foot support of the electric bicycle. If there is no foot support, you need to find a place to let your bicycle lean or turn it over.

Then prepare a bucket of clean water (or connect the water pipe directly), and a few rags that don’t mind getting dirty. In addition, several brushes are required, and three different styles of brushes are usually prepared. The first is a soft brush, which can be used on metal parts such as the frame. You can purchase a special cleaning soft brush, but a paint brush can also be used. The second type is a harder brush, used for cleaning dirty places, such as your tires or cranks, and has a special bicycle brush. The third is a smaller bristle brush for cleaning chains and gears. If there is no special chain brush, you can use a bristle toothbrush instead.

As for the cleaning agent, you can buy a special bicycle cleaner. If not, common detergents are also available. It can remove oil stains and is easy to clean. You also need some degreasing agent to clean the chain quickly and thoroughly.

Cleaning process

Step 1: Wet the bicycle with water

Do not use high-pressure water guns, you do not need too much water flow. Just need the water flow as big as watering the plants. Excessive water flow will make the water rush into each link and then rust.

Step 2: Clean the drive system

First spray and wet the chain and gear with degreasing agent. Then use a smaller bristle brush to scrub the various parts of the drive system. After brushing a part, put the brush in a bucket to rinse and then continue to brush, repeat as many times as necessary. When the transmission system is clean, it will shine like silver.

Step 3: Wash the wheels and tires

Put a big hard brush into the bucket, squeeze out the detergent, and then brush the wheels and tires cleanly. If there is a hole in the tire, the soapy water will foam. Wait until the cleaning is completed before renewing the tire.

Step 4: Clean the frame

Use the same bucket of soapy water as above and a soft brush ready to clean the dirt on the frame. If there is annoying dirt on the frame, do not increase the water pressure to rinse it, use a soft brush to sweep it down. Treat it like your car.

Step 5: Rinse the entire vehicle

Rinse the foam on the car with a hose, and do n’t let it leak. After cleaning, you will notice any scratches or wear on the frame. If you care, rub a little rubbing alcohol on the rag and wipe it gently to remove lighter wear.

After cleaning

After washing, dry the bicycle with a clean towel, and then dry it completely in the sun. After drying, use chain lubricant to maintain the chain. While rotating the chain, lubricate the oil slowly. Rotate a few times to make it more even, then let it soak for three to five minutes, then wipe off the lubricant, the most important thing is to wipe off. Because most people drip too much lubricant, this is not a good thing for bicycles. Wiping with a towel will not wipe off the lubricant, it will only wipe off the excess lubricant.

Other

No matter what kind of bicycle, road bike, mountain bike, they are cleaned in the same way. However, there are a few things to remember.

If there is leather on the bicycle (may be the seat or grip), try not to get these places wet. You can wrap them with a dry rag to avoid spraying the hose to that place.

But if your bike has any electronic components, such as batteries, they are not a problem, these components are usually designed to prevent moisture.
After cleaning, only use lubricating oil on the chain. Do not use lubricating oil wherever it seems that it should be used instead of when it is necessary.