5 Mistakes to Avoid

While eBikes are very similar to traditional analog bikes, there are some specific maintenance areas which need special attention.

Tire Pressure.  Avoid pinch flats.  Though it is suggested that tire pressure be checked before every ride of a traditional bike, it’s much more important on eBikes, as they generally weigh twice as much as their analog counterparts.  For added comfort and traction, eBikes often have larger tires than standard bikes (often with thicker sidewalls), and due to the laws of pneumatics, it’s harder to gauge tire pressure with just a squeeze from your fingers.  Larger, stronger tires combined with heavier loads makes correct tire pressure imperative, so please check before each ride to avoid pinch flats, bent rims or wash outs.  

Drivetrain.  It’s rare to see a broken-in drivetrain that’s spotless, but dirty gears cause premature wear and poor shifting.  Keep your chain and gears free of dirt to provide faster, more precise shifting and also extend the life of these components.  A clean and lubed chain is especially important on an ebike, because your pedal assist system can offer up to 4x your pedaling input…think of how much harder these parts are working on an ebike!  Applying a quality wax-based lubricant will go far, and once dirty, a chain cleaning tool paired with an old toothbrush for your cassette will keep your drivetrain in good working order.

Suspension.  Improper set up can ruin your suspension.  Many of our bikes come with front or full suspension.  Similar to tires, your shocks need correct air pressure to adequately absorb bumpy roads and trails.  If your suspension has too low of air pressure, it could be permanently damaged.  We offer a short video explanation on YouTube, for more information.  

Battery.  Don’t treat your ebike battery like a common Duracell.  BULLS offers the biggest batteries available so you can ride further.  These batteries are considered a consumable component, and by doing a few simple tricks, you can extend your battery life significantly.  It’s best to keep your battery between 20%-80%, just like your cell phone or laptop computer.  If you don’t need your whole battery for your commute, try not to top off the charge.  If your ebike is moth-balled for the winter, bring your battery inside and keep it charged at ~70%; make sure to recharge to 100% before riding again.

 

Rider Input.  Unlike Class 2 eBikes or unclassified electric motorbikes, you can’t just push a throttle lever and go.  Pedaling is required with mid-drive motor systems, and the more input the rider provides, the less battery power is needed, offering longer range.  Pedaling at a moderate cadence of 70-100rpm is ideal, as is keeping your bike in a gear appropriate for your current speed.  You can ease stress on the motor and battery by downshifting a few gears when you come to a stop.  Check out this article for more information about efficient riding.

Keeping up with these practices will ensure your ebike performs like new for the long haul, giving you the power you need to charge your limits.