Electric Bike
Maintenance

The Motor

Most electric bike motors are sealed and don’t require servicing so there’s practically no maintenance needed. You don’t have a bottom bracket bearing like a normal bike, so one less thing to service. The motor will be serviced by your local electric bike store when you take it in for the ebike's regular checkup.

The Battery

All of our e-bikes use lithium batteries and there are a few do’s and don’ts to avoid common battery issues. When storing your electric bike battery it needs to be kept between 1 to 39 degrees, otherwise this will cause damage to the battery. It’s important to keep this in mind if you store your bike in a garage or shed over winter.

An easy solution is to remove the battery and store it inside. If you’re also storing your bike for a long period of time you’ll need to charge the battery every 3 months. If you don’t this, it can cause the battery to drop below residual power. It’s also worth noting that leaving your battery on charge won’t harm it, it will automatically cut off once fully charged.

We advise to clean the battery connectors with isopropanol or an alcohol-based cleaning agent then spray with GT85. This displaces the water and adds a coating that aids conductivity.

Tyre Pressure

It’s important to check your tyre pressures before every ride. If tyre pressures decrease then you’re more prone to punctures. Each tyre has a different pressure so it’s best to check the advised PSI stamped into the side of the tyre.

The Controller and Display

Our number one tip from the Raleigh mechanics is to use an air duster to clean any dust or dirt from behind the buttons on your controller and display.

The Brake Pads

Along with tyre pressure we also advise you to check your brake pads before each ride. If you have rim brakes it’s very easy to check as they have wear indicators that show you when you need to replace them. With disc brakes it is a little trickier as the pads are inside the brake calliper. The easiest way to check them is to remove the wheel, this way you can see inside and check the wear on the brake pad.

Gear and Brake Adjustment

Over time gear and brake cables will stretch as you use them so they will need some adjustment; although it is possible to adjust them yourself, we always advise taking your bike into your local bike dealer as they will often do this as part of a service for you.

Keeping Your Ebike Clean

To clean your bike after a long muddy ride, simply hose down (trying to avoid any electrical components). The most important tip is to avoid using a jet washer, these force water into seals and remove essential grease from bearings and can also damage your electrical components.

For a bike cleaner spray, we recommend biodegradable bike cleaner as it’s easy to apply and is brilliant at removing post ride mud. Using a brush to remove the stubborn bits of mud and grime, and old toothbrush works wonders on your chain and cassette. Hose down to reveal your sparkling bike. Dry with a clean cloth paying special attention to the drive train (chain, cassette and chainring/s) to ensure all excess water is removed. Once completely dry apply a light layer of lube to the chain. We recommend XLC Race Lube as this is better in wet conditions – which we are always blessed with in the UK!

A Pre-Ride Check

It’s always important to check your bike before every ride to ensure everything is ok and safe before you set off.

Check your tyre pressure is correct and your tyre tread is ok to limit the chance of a puncture. Also check the wear on your rim, you will have a wear indicator line to advise you when it needs replacing but if you also run your finger over it you’ll be able to feel the wear on it as it’ll be concaved.

Check your brake pads to make sure you have enough on them to see you through the ride and also roll your bike along the floor and pull your brake levers to check they’re working correctly too. It’s always good to check that your quick release skewer (this is the part of your bike that assists with easily removing the wheels) to make sure they’re closed correctly.

Just like your brakes, it’s also worth checking that your gears are working correctly. If you don’t have a work stand the easiest way is to pedal it while running up and down your gears or turn your bike upside down and pedal while you check everything is ok. Finally, check all your bolts are tight paying special attention to your stem and handlebar bolts (especially if you’ve had to turn the bars to store or transport it).

Servicing

It’s always worth getting any bike serviced by a mechanic every 3-6 months to ensure everything is working as it should. With electric bikes we advise to take it to a Raleigh electric dealer who will have the diagnostic software to check the electric software on your bike, they will also be able to run any update for you. With the software they will be able to check the condition of your battery, motor and identify any issues.

Combining our top tips with a service by your local electric bike shop you'll be keeping your ebike in top shape. For more information about the electrical components on your bike you can visit the manufacturer’s website where they’ll have further information including user manuals and warranty details. Finally, don’t forget to refer to your bicycle owner booklet that you received with your bike.