In Motion: SPRING E-BIKE CHECKLIST

April 17, 2023

SPRING E-BIKE <br>CHECKLIST

SPRING E-BIKE
CHECKLIST

ENSURE YOU'RE READY FOR BIKNG SEASON BY CHECKING ON YOUR E-BIKE'S HEALTH BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD!

Spring is here and your bike is coming out of the garage and back on the road! Its time to get energized with all your favorite outdoor activities. But, there's nothing worse than having bike troubles when you’re in the middle of a ride. Our bikes need health-check ups just like us, especially if it’s been stored away for a long period of time. 

Here are some spring maintenance tips to ensure your E-bike is fit and ready for your next adventure.

ADJUST YOUR SEAT

If your bike has been stored away for a while, it is important to tighten your seat before riding again. This is not only for comfort but to avoid slipping when riding.

CHECK YOUR BIKE CHAIN

For smooth riding it is important to grease your chain. Turn your bike upside-down and apply grease to the chain as you spin the pedals slowly. Try to avoid dusty or wet conditions.

You will also need to check the chain tension by pressing your fingers against the top of the chain. It shouldn't move more than half an inch. If your chain is too loose, get a qualified technician at a bike shop to adjust it for you.

"YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE LIFE AND RIDE IT 'TIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF."

Brad Simms

TIRE CHECK

As you should before every ride, give your tire pressure a check and pump it up if needed. After storing your e-bike for a long time, it’s likely that the tire has deflated a bit.

Ensure you only inflate to the recommended PSI as displayed on the tire sidewall. If your tires or inner tubes are damaged and need replacing, visit our bike shop to purchase a replacement!

BRAKES

It is super important to test your brakes to ensure they are working correctly. Make sure you check both the front and rear brakes!

You'll know they are working properly if the brakes don't stick, and the bike comes to a complete stop when moving. If your brakes have any issues, we recommend having them checked by a qualified technician.

CHECK YOUR SPOKES

Spokes are what keeps your wheels straight. If your wheel is looking a little wonky, we recommend taking your e-bike to a shop to get your tires re-trued by a professional.

BATTERY CARE

The most common question asked to our customer service team is about the lithium-ion batteries in our e-bikes.

During winter, you may stored your battery separately from your bike, preferably indoors as we recommended in our Winter E-Bike Maintenance blog.

Before riding in spring, locate your battery and allow the battery to return to room temperature before charging.

Cooler temperatures will reduce your riding range, you will not be able to maintain the same range as you would in warmer climates. To help prolong the battery life, store the battery inside after rides.

If you did not ride your e-bike during winter and stored your e-bike for a few months, we hope you charged your lithium-ion battery intermittently during storage as we recommended. It is important to try to charge your battery to 50% power. Over the winter the battery will self-discharge slowly, so remember to check it every few weeks and recharge to 50% as needed.

If you have allowed your battery to completely die, it is recommended you fully charge it before riding for the first time. Ensure your battery is discharging at a normal rate, and ensure it is holding its charge.

VISIT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP

If you’re unsure about e-bike care, we recommend visiting your local bike shop for a tune-up. At the tune-up, the professionals will give your bike a run-through and make recommendations for optimal maintenance.

Things like brake cables, brake pads, and tires do wear out over time, so you’ll want to get those periodically replaced. A bike shop employee will recommend whether it is time for a replacement or give you a heads up on when you should be replacing them in the near future.

Your tune-up should leave you assured that your bike is in the perfect shape for the perfect ride.

A bike tune-up from a bike shop usually consists of below:

  • Cleaning the bike
  • Checking that the gears and derailleurs are functioning properly
  • Checking the chain for stretching or wear and tear
  • Inspecting the brakes for wear and stopping power
  • Checking the tires for wear, cracks, or swellings
  • Checking all cables for stretch and function
  • Checking the wheel spokes and tightening if needed
  • Ensuring no unwanted movement from the headset and seat posts
  • Tightening every nut and bolt to ensure the bike is stable while riding
  • As required, applying the right oils and greases to moving parts

Stay speedy, stay stylish, and - most importantly - stay safe!

Check out out Bike Shop for extra parts and accessories!

BIKE SHOP
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