Top 5 – What to do and not to do with your electric bike!

Top 5 – What to do and not to do with your electric bike!

Have you just bought an electric bike or are you thinking about buying one in the near future?!
Let us inform you of the good habits to adopt as well as those that are prescribed in order to keep your electric bike working properly and thus enjoy it for as long as possible!

 

Top 5 – To do!

1. Keep the chain clean and lubricated.

   Use only products suitable for bicycle chains to keep them working properly. Remember to clean your chain thoroughly before lubricating it. Using other products could cause premature wear of your chain or even breakage of the derailleur or other mechanism.

2. Check your tire pressure and wear frequently.

   Tires will always deflate slightly after each use. This is completely normal. Follow the recommendation made by your bike professional. It may happen that the recommendation written directly on your tires differs from that suggested by your professional. A tire inflated to the appropriate pressure will provide you with the comfort and safety necessary to fully enjoy your bike ride. For your information, an under-inflated tire will result in a decrease in performance and an increased risk of flat tires. An over-inflated tire will cause less efficient grip and braking.

3. Always brake with both brakes.

   Indeed, by braking with both brakes, you will avoid premature wear of them. By using only one brake, front or rear, you risk a potential loss of grip, therefore a risk of falling. Small tip: try to always brake first with the rear brake (70 %) and then, operate the front brake (30 %). Try to aim for the 7-3 ratio (rear brake –  front brake) to maximize your braking efficiency.

4. Keeping your battery indoors in sub-zero temperatures

   . Indeed, prolonged exposure to temperatures below 0 °C could damage the battery cells and thus compromise its efficiency and reduce its lifespan. Here are some examples demonstrating the influence of temperature variations on the overall autonomy of your battery:

Influence of temperatures on autonomy (approximation)
-20ºC	Loss of 55%
-10ºC	Loss of 40%
0ºC	Loss of 15-20%
10ºC	No loss/gain
20ºC	Gain of 15%
30ºC	Gain of 5%
40ºC	Loss of 20%

5. Recharge the battery by first plugging the tip into the battery and then into the wall outlet.

   This way you will avoid a short circuit that could seriously damage the battery. The RBS warranty does not cover this type of damage.

 

Top 5 – Don’ts!

1. Keep your battery powered beyond the recommendation (4-6 hours maximum).

   By keeping it plugged into a power source, it will lose capacity resulting in a possible loss of autonomy. Check full charge first.

2. Drive with a battery charged to less than 20 %.

   Below this percentage, you risk prematurely wearing out your battery and thus reducing its efficiency.

3. Recharge your battery when it is too cold (0°C and below).

   Be sure to bring your battery inside and wait for it to reach a temperature above 0ºC. before recharging it. By charging your battery this way, you ensure that you maximize the current charge and thus take full advantage of the promised autonomy of your battery. Never charge the lithium battery below 0 °C, as this will damage the battery and kill it.

4. Wash your bike with plenty of water (high pressure jet).

   You risk damaging the electrical components and causing corrosion in the long term. Instead, opt for a gentle and controlled jet, avoiding the electrical parts. Then wipe with a microfiber cloth and you're done!

5. Wait a long time before tuning the bike.

   Maintenance is the secret to a bike's longevity. By doing so, your bike professional will ensure that everything is going well and will be able to advise you on future maintenance. For more details on our maintenance services, refer to our "Services" page or call us at (514) 224-0001 (Montreal Store) or (418) 914-1774 (Quebec Store).

Extra advice… with winter slowly approaching!! Think about finding a place to store your electric bike properly. You will find it in great shape when the good weather returns! Here are some important points to follow:

• Store in a dry place.
• Keep the battery charged between 50-70 %.
• Wash your bike thoroughly.
• Protect the bike with a sheet or tarpaulin.

There you have it! You are now all well equipped with tips and tricks to make your electric bike last a long time! Feel free to share the advice and if you have any questions, call or visit us with great pleasure!