How do I maintain my electric mountain bike?

Mud, rain, dirt, dust... Your electrically-assisted mountain bike (EABV) is exposed to a variety of aggressions during your outings, especially in winter. While your VTTAE is designed to cope with difficult terrain and conditions without a hitch, regular maintenance is imperative to ensure its efficiency and performance over the long term.

Maintaining an electric mountain bike is similar to that of a muscle bike. General maintenance involves regular cleaning of the VTTAE and careful checking of the transmission for wear. We also insist on protecting the electronic components of the assistance system, such as the battery, which must be treated with the utmost care throughout the year.

Probikeshop gives you all the tips you need to maintain your electric mountain bike.

Why maintain your electric mountain bike?

Buying an electric mountain bike is a major investment, and one that will be appreciated over the course of its useful life. The idea is to keep your e-bike in perfect working order for as long as possible, so you can enjoy regular outings all year round, even in the worst conditions of mud, cold or snow. Extending the life of your VTTAE means taking care of its frame and various components through regular maintenance, including the usual operations: cleaning, wear checks and functional checks.

An electrically-assisted mountain bike has the same morphology and basic equipment as a muscular mountain bike. Conventional mountain bike parts (tires, derailleurs, chain, brakes, etc.) are subject to the same type of wear, but to a greater degree, as the bike is heavier and faster. The transmission of electric mountain bikes is a particularly critical point, as it has to withstand the traction force of the pedal motor.

The motor, battery and control screen are the distinctive components of your VTTAE. These parts carry electronics that need to be well protected from the elements (dust, rain, snow, mud and other dirt).

Maintaining your VTTAE battery

Generally made up of lithium-ion cells, the battery is an essential part of your electrically-assisted mountain bike. The normal functioning of the cells can be altered by a bad shock or extreme temperatures, which can reduce the battery's capacity. This is why battery storage conditions are so important, especially in winter.

How to recharge and store your VTTAE battery in the best conditions?

How do I maintain my VTTAE battery?

In the event of a problem with your battery, it is strictly inadvisable to open it in an attempt to repair it! For maintenance of assistance system components, you should contact a professional who will diagnose the problem.

To clean the battery, never wash it down with water! We recommend systematically removing the battery from the frame and cleaning it separately, before rinsing the VTTAE with a small jet of water. You can use a damp cloth to wipe away any dirt or mud splashed onto the battery. You can also use contact cleaners to take more detailed care of sockets and pins. This simple gesture protects this sensitive equipment from wear and oxidation. If you're used to riding on damp terrain, you can regularly apply grease to the contacts.

VTTAE motor and component maintenance

Manufacturers of VTTAE solutions work on the continuous improvement of their motors, batteries and consoles. They regularly offer updates aimed at optimizing component management systems, to improve and fine-tune the operation of your VTTAE. Of course, it's a good idea to get in touch with your local bicycle dealer to carry out these updates.

A regular visit to a professional will also enable you to identify and resolve any malfunctions in your assistance system. Last but not least, the expert will be able to check critical tightening points, such as the fastenings of the engine block to the frame.

General maintenance of your electric mountain bike

With the VTTAE's powerful, torquey central motor, the strain on the transmission is particularly high. As parts wear more quickly, it's imperative to regularly check the condition of the chain. The chain wear monitor is a handy tool that warns you when the drivetrain's condition becomes critical. If the chain starts to show signs of fatigue, it's high time to replace it, otherwise the wear will be passed on to the cassette and chainring.

The maintenance of your electric ATV continues with checks on the other components:

How to clean your electric mountain bike?

Mountain biking often means tackling difficult terrain and muddy conditions, especially in winter, when salt and snow put your bike to a severe test. After that, you need to take good care of your mountain bike, cleaning and drying it properly.

You must remove the battery and console before cleaning your VTTAE! You can use a bucket or a low-pressure water jet, but certainly not a kärcher, which could send water into the engine block and bearings. Use brushes to remove all the dirt from the frame, bottom bracket, wheels and rims, transmission... The brush is ideal for removing the bulk of the residue, before rinsing with a small jet of water. All that's left to do is dry the VTTAE and lubricate the chain, avoiding any greasy splashes on the brakes.