Cleaning, lubrication, battery, professional inspection: This is how you maintain your e-bike – otherwise it will be expensive!

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The cycling boom continues in Switzerland: around 500,000 bikes are sold every year, of which around 220,000 are e-bikes. About 15 percent of the Swiss population already owns an e-bike. Experts expect that from next year, or at the latest the following year, one in every two bicycles sold will be equipped with an electric motor.

E-bikes are more expensive than regular bikes, this is easy to understand considering the motor and battery. Therefore, it is doubly important to take proper care of the two-wheeler. This can, on the one hand, extend the service life and, on the other hand, ensure safety. These are the most important tips.

To prevent corrosion and damage, the e-bike should be cleaned regularly, especially if you ride off-road or on the road in winter. Salt sprinkled to prevent roads from becoming icy remains longer and can contaminate the bike if the road is wet. This greatly accelerates the rusting of bicycle parts.

High-pressure cleaners are problematic with e-bikes: The harsh jet can cause water to enter and damage the engine. But electronic devices are also at risk. High water pressure can also damage wheel bearings and flush grease from hard-to-reach contact points. All you have to do is hose down the bike with a hose, bucket or watering can and wipe it down with a cloth, soft brush or sponge. Also be careful not to let water get into the battery.

If the bicycle is used in dirty environments, regular maintenance must be carried out on the chains and sprockets. And it should be professionally checked and serviced at least once a year or every 3000 kilometers. Professionals can discover vulnerabilities before problems arise.

The battery is basically the tank of the e-bike and is one of the most expensive parts of the e-bike. If you maintain it correctly, first of all, you will extend its life, and secondly, you will be able to travel longer distances with a single landing. A battery can be charged 500 to 1000 times before it is no longer suitable for daily use.

One of the biggest myths about batteries is that they must be completely discharged before recharging and must always be fully charged. Lithium-ion batteries have no memory. They don’t always need to be fully loaded either. And they can be completely discharged, but they don’t have to.

Very high and low temperatures will damage the e-bike battery. It should not be parked under the scorching sun in summer. It is best to park the e-bike in the bike room in summer and winter.

E-bikes are a popular product among thieves. Between 2019 and 2022, the number of stolen e-bikes in Switzerland tripled to 14,153. On the other hand, normal bicycle thefts have also decreased.

Since e-bikes are expensive, it’s worth looking closely at your own insurance. TCS writes: “In certain cases, household contents insurance covers the risks of theft, vandalism and fire, as well as damage to the bike itself. Bicycle insurance provides protection against theft and damage, as well as assistance in the event of a breakdown.” The best way to find out if you need special insurance for your e-bike is to contact your insurance company directly.

Source : Blick