Your e-bike is designed for real-world riding. But like any performance machine it needs regular care to stay at its best. Small checks and habits make the biggest difference. Look after the battery, chain, brakes and frame and you’ll protect your investment, avoid costly repairs and enjoy smoother, safer rides.

This guide covers the essentials of e-bike maintenance. From charging habits to chain lube choices, brake checks to pre-ride routines, it’s all here in one place. Follow these straight-talking tips and your e-bike will keep running sweet through every season.

The battery is the most valuable part of your e-bike. It powers every ride, so it pays to treat it right.

Temperature and Storage

• Keep your battery at room temperature whenever possible, ideally 10–25°C
• Avoid leaving the bike in freezing garages or hot conservatories for long spells
• If your only option is a cold shed, remove the battery and store it indoors

Charging Habits

• Always charge in a dry, stable environment
• After cold rides, let the battery return to room temperature before charging
• Daily use: top up to what you need rather than always going to 100%
• For long-term storage: keep it at 60–80% and recharge monthly

Battery lifespan explained

Most e-bike batteries are rated for 500–1,000 full charge cycles. That means several years of regular use if you avoid extremes. Think of a cycle as one full charge from empty to 100%. If you top up from 50% to 100%, that counts as half a cycle. Good habits keep your battery performing well beyond the warranty.

Range reality

Battery range depends on terrain, rider weight, tyre choice and weather. Cold days reduce efficiency, as do steep climbs, knobbly tyres and heavy panniers. Plan your rides with this in mind and you’ll never be caught short.

Contacts and seals

Keep terminals clean and dry. Check rubber port caps for damage and replace if needed. A tiny smear of dielectric grease on exposed contacts prevents corrosion in winter.

Pro tip

Never use third-party chargers. Stick with the manufacturer’s unit, as it’s built for your system and protects the cells.

The drivetrain, chain, cassette and chainrings, works hard on an e-bike. Extra motor torque means components wear faster if ignored. Keep it clean and lubricated and it’ll run quieter, shift smoother and last longer.

After gritty rides

• Wipe down the chain with a rag while back-pedalling
• Brush mud from cassette, jockey wheels and chainrings
• For heavy grime, rinse gently with low-pressure water, then dry and lube

Weekly deep clean

• Use a proper chain cleaner or citrus degreaser to strip grime
• Scrub cassette sprockets and chainring teeth to remove paste-like build-up
• Rinse thoroughly, dry, then lube

Lube choice

• Wet lube for winter and wet conditions — it clings on and protects
• Dry lube for summer and clean roads — it sheds dust and grime
• Apply one drop per link, run the chain through the gears, then wipe off the excess. Too much lube just attracts dirt

Chain wear

Chains stretch under load. A simple checker tool shows when it’s time to replace. Swap the chain before it stretches too far and you’ll save your cassette and chainrings.

Cassette and jockey wheels

Inspect sprockets for hooked teeth and jockey wheels for sharp edges. These parts wear slowly but replacing them early keeps shifting crisp.

Pro tip

Rotate between two chains. Swapping every 500–1,000km spreads wear evenly and can double the life of your cassette.

Extra speed and weight make braking and grip more critical on an e-bike. Keep these parts dialled in and you’ll ride with confidence in all conditions.

Brakes

• Inspect pads weekly — if material is thin or uneven, replace now
• Clean rotors with isopropyl alcohol or disc-specific cleaner
• If brakes squeal, lightly scuff pads with emery paper, clean rotors, and re-bed with a few hard stops
• Resin pads are quieter with early bite, metallic pads last longer in wet grit

Rotor sizes

Most e-bikes run 160mm or 180mm rotors. Larger rotors handle heat better on long descents and with heavy loads, giving consistent stopping power.

Bedding-in new pads

• Fit new pads and clean rotors
• Ride at moderate speed (a slight downslope works best), brake firmly to a near stop 10–15 times
• Let brakes cool between sets — this transfers material evenly onto the rotor surface

Tyres

• Check pressures before every ride
• Lower slightly in winter for grip, raise in summer for efficiency
• Watch for cuts, glass or squared tread
• Tubeless setups give better grip and fewer flats. Refresh sealant every 2–3 months
• Match tread to riding: slick for fast road, semi-slick for mixed, knobbly for off-road

Contact points

• Check bar, stem and saddle bolts to correct torque
• Inspect grips or tape for wear and replace if slippy
• Keep pedals tight and greased at the threads

Pro tip

If you regularly descend long hills, upgrade to larger rotors if your frame allows. More control = less fade.

Salt, grit and grime eat components fast. Keep cleaning simple but regular.

Safe routine

• Rinse with low-pressure water to loosen dirt
• Spray bike-specific cleaner on frame, fork and wheels
• Brush from top to bottom with soft brushes
• Degrease drivetrain with a dedicated cleaner
• Rinse, then dry with a microfibre cloth

Seasonal routines

• Winter: Clean after every wet or gritty ride. Focus on drivetrain, brakes and underside of frame
• Summer: Weekly wipe-downs with occasional deeper cleans are sufficient

Avoid

• Jet washers that blast water and grit into bearings and electrics
• Harsh solvents that damage paint or seals
• Direct sprays on control buttons and ports

Protect

• Use bike-safe protectant sprays to ward off rust and water
• For matte frames, use matte-specific sprays to preserve finish
• A little silicone on grommets and seals keeps them supple

Pro tip

A work stand makes cleaning faster and thorough. You’ll reach every part of the frame and keep brushes off the ground.

Where you keep your e-bike makes a big difference to how long it lasts.

At home

• Store indoors where possible
• Use a stand or wall hook to keep it upright
• Wipe condensation if bringing the bike in from cold

If outdoors

• Use a quality waterproof cover that won’t flap to pieces
• Keep tyres off soaked ground if you can
• Remove and store the battery indoors

For commuters

• If workplace storage is outdoors, always remove the battery
• Lock the frame and wheels with quality locks
• Carry a lightweight cover to keep rain and grit off

Travelling

• Airlines don’t allow batteries on planes, plan ahead for trips
• For car racks, use a waterproof cover to protect electrics from spray
• Always remove the battery before transport where possible

Long-term storage

• Clean and lube the bike first
• Leave the battery at 60–80% charge
• Spin the wheels and shift gears occasionally to keep seals free

Pro tip

Keep a “ready to ride” box near your storage spot — lube, cloths, pump, tubes, links and tools. If everything’s to hand, you’ll actually use it.

A quick once-over before you set off prevents roadside drama.

• Rear wheel: spin for trueness, check tyre and brake
• Saddle: check height and clamp tightness
• Pedals and cranks: tighten and spin freely
• Bars and stem: secure, no headset play
• Front wheel: tyre, brake and true

Battery and system

• Check charge is enough for your ride
• Confirm power button responds
• Test lights before setting off

Quick ride test

• Roll down the street, shift through gears, brake firmly, check steering
• Any odd noise? Sort it now, not 10 miles in

Pro tip

Use the checklist “Air, Brakes, Chain, Battery, Lights”. Five seconds before rolling out saves long walks home.

Good e bike care is about little and often. A clean chain, fresh pads and a well-kept battery mean more reliable range, fewer breakdowns and longer life from your bike. Regular maintenance saves money, keeps rides safer and makes every mile smoother.

E-bikes are built to be ridden all year. Stay on top of the basics and your bike will run like new for longer. Clean it often, lube it right, keep brakes and tyres fresh, store the battery well and give the frame a little protection.

Simple routines pay back in smoother rides, longer-lasting parts and fewer visits to the workshop. And when you need replacements, pick quality bike parts that match the conditions you ride in.

Explore Ribble’s full range of electric bikes and see how the right care routine keeps you rolling strong.