E-Bike richtig reinigen und pflegen
An e-bike is for riding, not for taking it easy. And if you use it as it is intended, it will get dirty from time to time. They have to put up with a lot in everyday life: Rain, dust, mud, kerbs, full loads. This makes it all the more important that you treat your bike to regular maintenance.
Here we show you what you should look out for, which parts are particularly vulnerable and how to keep your e-bike ready for use for a long time.
Cleaning and care: the basics
It’s more important than you might think: if you want to maintain your e-bike or cargo bike, you should use the right cleaning agent. Many people reach for the all-purpose weapon WD40 for the chain, but be careful: the spray attracts dust, which causes the chain to wear out more quickly and impairs its running properties
The most important thing here is:
- Gentle cleaning instead of high pressure: In order not to endanger the bearings, motor and electronics, the bike should never be treated with a high-pressure cleaner.
- Observe the correct sequence: First clean the chain and drivetrain, then the frame and other components.
- Protect electronic components: The battery, display and contacts do not belong under water. A slightly damp cloth is sufficient.
Preparation: what you need for cleaning
To clean your e-bike or cargo bike properly, you should have the right products and tools to hand. You may already have many of them at home – others are worthwhile for long-term care.
What you need:
- Mild bike soap or bike cleaner – especially for paintwork and sensitive surfaces
- Chain cleaner or degreaser – to thoroughly clean the drive and chain
- Bucket or hose – for clear water for rinsing
- Sponges and soft brushes – for coarse and fine dirt
- Toothbrush or detail brushes – for hard-to-reach areas such as the sprocket or rear derailleur
- Microfiber cloth – for drying, polishing and electronic areas
Step-by-step instructions
1. degrease the chain. To do this, apply a generous amount of degreasing spray to the chain, cassette and chainrings. Allow it to work in before washing it off.
1. Entfetten Sie die Kette. Tragen Sie dazu eine großzügige Menge Entfettungsspray auf Kette, Kassette und Kettenblätter auf. Lassen Sie es einwirken, bevor Sie es abwaschen.
As soon as you turn the pedal crank backwards, it hits the hexagonal key and the chain moves as you continue to turn it
2. cover the battery and display or remove the display. It is better not to remove the battery, as the connector poles will then be exposed and could get wet.
Fill a bucket with warm water containing soap. Clean the entire bike from top to bottom.
Leave out all electronic parts (display, motor, drive) and also when you rinse off the soapy water.
Use a soft jet when cleaning the e-bike with the garden hose and leave the electronic parts out.
3. you can compress the suspension fork firmly twice with the handbrake on. The dirt on the seals will then move upwards and you can wipe it off with a dry cloth.
Do not use penetrating oil on the fork springs, as this will get past the seals and then mix with the oil in the suspension, which is not good. A silicone spray that maintains the seal is the better choice.
4. once the wheel has been rinsed, dry everything meticulously and grease the chain. You can proceed in the same way as for degreasing (hexagon socket wrench).
Clean and maintain battery contacts and connector terminals correctly
The battery contacts and connector poles are best cleaned with a dry cloth. If there is more dust there, you can also use a dry toothbrush (soft bristles).
These are sensitive parts of your e-bike that you do not want to handle too roughly. Nevertheless, cleaning is important to protect against corrosion and to maintain performance. You can use contact spray on the battery and lightly grease the connector poles.
Drying and preservation after cleaning
If you love your bike … you store it in a dry place. Of course, it’s not quite as easy to store an e-bike decoratively in your living room as it is with a lightweight road bike, but it’s still good to keep your e-bike dry.
To protect it from dirt after cleaning, you can apply a wax or preservative spray to prevent dirt from sticking.
Maintenance intervals for cleaning, care and inspection
To keep your e-bike running reliably – and for as long as possible – it is worth integrating a few simple maintenance routines into your daily routine. You can do many things yourself, but others should be checked regularly in the workshop. These intervals provide a guide:
After every journey or weekly if used frequently
A quick check is often enough: check the tires, brakes, lights and battery. Remove coarse dirt – especially around the drive unit and the display. And if necessary, charge the battery and store it in a dry and protected place.
About every 200 to 300 kilometers – or once a month
Now it’s time for the first maintenance: clean the chain, relubricate it and check the tire pressure. Also check the brake pads and whether all bolts (e.g. on the luggage carrier) are still tight.
Every 500 to 1000 kilometers – or every three to six months
The mechanical parts now deserve a little more attention: check whether the chain and sprockets are worn, readjust the gears and check the braking performance. You should also check the handlebars, pedals, stem and bottom bracket for play. If you are technically adept, you can also check the wheels for concentricity and spoke tension and take a look at the electronic contacts.
Every 1000 to 2000 kilometers – or at least once a year
At the latest now you should take care of the bearings and suspension elements. The fork, shock and any suspension seatpost need grease or a small maintenance unit – depending on the system. The headset is also in need of cleaning and fresh grease. If permitted, you can also clean the battery contacts and perform a system update.
Every one to two years – depending on use
Regularly schedule an appointment with your specialist dealer: a complete inspection will reveal any weak points before they become a problem. The hydraulic oil in the disc brakes should also be changed every two years – especially on models such as Shimano. Have the battery capacity checked at the same time.
Care and maintenance for cargo e-bikes
Cargo e-bikes are designed for maximum stress in everyday use – they transport heavy loads, are in daily use and defy rain, dust and dirt. To ensure that your vehicle remains reliable, comfortable and safe on the road in the long term, it needs regular care and targeted maintenance.
You should check and maintain the frame, loading area and brakes more frequently, as they are exposed to higher loads than your road bike. The loading area and any special attachments are also something that your bike may not have and that require your attention.
The following care and maintenance recommendations apply specifically to our XCYC Cargo e-bikes, but can also be applied to many other e-cargo bikes – especially if they are used in a professional environment.
| Component | Maintenance / measure | Recommended interval |
| Clean, | degrease and relubricate the chain with suitable chain | oilEvery 200-500 km |
| Lenkungsdämpfer (O-Ring) | Auf Verschleiß prüfen, ggf. austauschen; reinigen und mit Atlantic-Fett schmieren (Art.-Nr. 2252) | Alle 1000 km oder einmal im Jahr |
| Suspension fork (inside) | Open and grease on both sides (Atlantic grease, item no. 2252) | Every 600 km or once a year |
| Suspension fork (outer / stanchions) | Regularly wipe and spray with care oil | or sprayEvery 2 weeks (depending on use) |
| Clean and grease rear | axle (e.g. with Ballistol care wipes or spray + Atlantic grease) | Every 2 weeks |
| Ball pillow block | bearingLubricate grease nipple with Atlantic | greaseEvery 600 km or once a year |
| Seat post (adjustable) | Clean and grease the height-adjustable area (Ballistol + Atlantic grease) | Every 600 km or once a year |
| Paint / frame | Treat with wax or preservative spray to reduce dirt adhesion | As required – e.g. after cleaning |
| Parking | space Store as dry and protected from the weather as | possible Permanently recommended |
Conclusion: If you look after your e-bike, you simply ride better
Whether in everyday life, at work or in all weathers – e-bikes and cargo e-bikes do a lot every day. With the right care, a little attention and a few fixed maintenance routines, your bike will not only remain reliable, but will also be noticeably more pleasant to ride. And the best thing is that you can carry out many of the measures yourself – with simple tools and little time.
Our tip: Don’t just maintain your e-bike when it is already creaking or squeaking – but rather as a preventative measure. Because a well-maintained e-bike not only rides better, but also lasts longer.
Do you ride an e-bike with the Go SwissDrive system? Then you’ve come to the right place: our service team offers professional maintenance and repairs. All XCYC Cargo e-bikes that are on the road in Switzerland can also be serviced by us.
If you purchased your XCYC E-cargo bike from a specialist dealer, we recommend that you have the service carried out directly by this dealer.
