Cleaning & maintenance: These tips will keep your e-bike fit

Every now and then the e-bike needs thorough cleaning or maintenance. Sure, you would prefer to just ride, ride, ride with the e-bike, to the horizon and even further. But sometimes it's already clear after a short tour in the rain or over a muddy dirt road: The bike doesn't just live on air and love, it also needs to be cleaned, cared for and serviced. IMTEST has compiled for you how to proceed and what you need for it.

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The high-pressure cleaner is taboo!

The good news first: The electric and electronic components of an e-bike are encapsulated waterproof and therefore don't mind riding in the rain any more than a soft jet of water from the garden hose. An electric shock from a wet e-bike is also impossible, at least for brand manufacturers. But: Under no circumstances should a high-pressure cleaner be used when washing e-bikes, as the high pressure can actually cause water to penetrate electrical and mechanical components (e.g. wheel bearings or joints) and damage them. Basically, gentle cleaning methods are recommended.

Remove dirt as soon as possible!

If the e-bike has collected a lot of dirt, for example in the forest, it should be cleaned as soon as possible. Because once the dirt has dried, it is much more difficult to remove. In addition, dirt deposits promote damage to paintwork, corrosion and wear - so get rid of it quickly!

Required cleaning supplies

method

First of all, remove the battery. If possible, the display should also be removed - alternatively, you can pack it waterproof. Just wipe the battery with a damp cloth and put it aside. If available, clamp the bike in an assembly stand - this makes cleaning a lot easier, since you can easily reach all components and move the wheels and chain freely.

Now shower the e-bike with the garden hose to loosen dirt such as mud. However, you should not aim the concentrated water jet at the electric drive, the wheel bearings, spring elements or brakes. It is better to set the water jet to be as soft as possible and spray the bike over a large area. If you don't have a garden hose to hand, a bucket of water will suffice.

Now spray the bike with a bike cleaner from a distance of about 20 to 30 centimetres, leave to work for a short time and clean with a sponge or soft brush. Alternatively, you can also get to grips with the dirt with washing-up liquid.

Important: You should always work with plenty of water, otherwise you will sand scratches into the paintwork with a sponge and brush.

Rinse off generously with the garden hose. In the case of stubborn dirt, a second pass may be necessary. Once all the dirt has been removed, you can rub the bike dry with a soft cotton cloth or a chamois leather. Recommended bike care products are available from the providers Sonax, Dr. Wack, Liqui Moly or Nigrin.

Clean the chain

There are special chain cleaners for the chain drive that have a strong dirt-dissolving and degreasing effect. After the chain, chainrings, cassette, rear derailleur and front derailleur have been cleaned of the coarsest dirt with a brush, spray these parts with the chain cleaner and leave it to work for five minutes. Then clean all gears, the rear derailleur and the front derailleur with the brush and pull the chain slowly and carefully (caution: risk of injury!) through a rag. If the entire chain drive is clean, the chain oil is applied. To do this, move the chain slowly again and drop the oil onto the lower chain strand from above. Here, too, the assembly stand has proven itself once again.

maintenance and repairs

When the e-bike shines again and the chain is freshly oiled, all you have to do is put the battery back in and carry out a short function test. Then it can start again, to the horizon and beyond...

E-bike care also includes regular maintenance and occasional repairs. However, the electric drive, i.e. motor, battery, display and software, are excluded here, because the professional or workshop is responsible for this - if only for reasons of guarantee or warranty.

However, maintenance work such as regular oiling of the chain or fastening loose parts can certainly be carried out on your own. You don't have to go to the bike workshop because of a flat tire either, although the mostly reinforced e-bike tires are not that easy to peel off the rim. IMTEST explains how to fix a flat tire and which tools e-bikers should have as basic equipment for at home and on the go in the guide “Tools and assembly stands for e-bike repairs”.