The Maintenance Secrets of Electric Bicycles
Here is a compilation of maintenance tips for electric bicycles, covering key components and daily usage techniques. These tips will help you extend the lifespan of your beloved vehicle and enhance your riding experience. Come and take a look!
Avoid overcharging and over - discharging: Charge the battery when the remaining power is between 20% - 30%. Do not wait until the battery is completely drained, as this may damage the lifespan of the lithium - ion battery. Unplug the charger in time after it is fully charged and avoid charging overnight (overcharging may cause the battery to bulge or catch fire).
Use the original charger: Chargers for different models have different parameters. Using the wrong charger may lead to abnormal charging and even damage the battery.
Precautions for low - temperature charging: In winter, try to park the vehicle indoors (or in a place with a relatively high temperature) when charging. Low temperature will affect the battery's activity. When the charging efficiency decreases, the charging time can be appropriately extended (but do not exceed 12 hours).
If the vehicle is not used for a long time (more than 1 month), first charge the battery to 50% - 60% of its capacity, then disconnect the battery from the vehicle body, and recharge it every 1 - 2 months to avoid the battery being "starved" due to power loss.
The storage environment should be dry and ventilated, away from heat sources (such as radiators and direct sunlight), and the recommended temperature is between 5 - 25°C.
The motor and controller are the core components of an electric bicycle. Try to avoid riding through water (such as deep water accumulations) to prevent short - circuits caused by water ingress. After riding in the rain, promptly dry the motor housing and controller interfaces with a dry cloth.
Regularly clean the dust and dirt on the motor housing to avoid excessive accumulation affecting heat dissipation.
If you notice abnormal noise from the motor during riding (such as a louder "buzzing" sound or jamming), or a sudden decrease in power, it may be due to wear of the internal gears of the motor or loose connection wires. It is recommended to have it checked by a professional maintenance personnel as soon as possible.
Check the tire pressure once a week. Inflate the tires according to the standard pressure marked on the tires (generally 2.5 - 3.5 bar, which can be checked on the side of the tire). Insufficient tire pressure will increase riding resistance, consume more power, and may also cause the tires to deform. Excessive tire pressure makes the tires more prone to bursting.
Observe whether there are cracks, bulges, or foreign objects such as nails and glass embedded in the tire surface. If significant wear (such as shallow tread patterns) or damage is found, replace the tires in a timely manner to avoid the risk of a flat tire.
Disc brake/drum brake: Regularly check the wear of the brake pads (replace if the thickness is less than 2 mm). If there is abnormal noise or the brakes do not work properly when braking, it may be due to oil stains or uneven wear on the brake disc/drum. Clean or adjust them in a timely manner.
V - brake: Check whether the brake cable is loose or rusty. When squeezing the brakes, check whether the two brake pads on both sides fit the wheels synchronously. If not, adjust the brake cable screw (tighten clockwise to tighten, and loosen counter - clockwise).
Lubricate the chain every 1 - 2 months with special chain oil or engine oil to prevent rusting and jamming. Wipe off the excess oil after lubrication to avoid getting dirty with dust.
If the chain makes noise or derails during riding, it may be due to a loose chain or worn gears. Adjust the chain tension or replace the gears in a timely manner.
Wipe the body with a damp cloth (avoid flushing directly with water, especially the charging port and controller interfaces) to remove dirt and oil. If there are scratches on the frame, apply anti - rust paint or stickers in a timely manner to prevent rusting.
Check whether there is dust or water stains at the charging port before each charge. Make sure it is dry before inserting the charger to avoid short - circuits.
Regularly check whether the connecting wires of the handlebars, lights, and horns are loose (you can gently pull them by hand to confirm). Poor contact may cause component failures. Tighten all the screws of the vehicle (such as those at the connections of the frame, wheels, and pedals) with a wrench to prevent them from loosening due to vibration during riding.
It is recommended to have a comprehensive inspection at a professional repair shop every six months to one year. The key points include:
Battery capacity detection (if the range drops significantly, activation or replacement may be required);
Motor bearing lubrication;
Controller parameter adjustment;
Inspection of the aging of all vehicle wires.
Doing the above maintenance not only allows the electric bicycle to be ridden for a longer time, but also reduces the embarrassment of breaking down on the way, and makes riding safer. If you encounter problems that you can't solve, don't disassemble it forcefully. Seek professional help in a timely manner