Repair your e-bike yourself: fix minor breakdowns easily
Display stays dark, tyre flat or chain dry? Here you will find clear instructions for the most common problems, and you will learn when the workshop is the better choice.
E-bike tools and safety
With the right tools and a few safety rules, most small jobs go smoothly and without stress.
Safety first
- Switch off the drive system before working on the bike.
- For work on the drive wheel, remove the battery and disconnect the plug connector.
- Never open the battery yourself and do not let it come into contact with water.
- Before working on your e-bike, ask the manufacturer or dealer what you are allowed to do yourself. This is important for the warranty.
- If you are unsure: better to ask the workshop.
E-bike display won't switch on: what you can do
There can be several reasons for this. One simple cause you can check yourself: you have not used your e-bike for a while. In that case the battery automatically goes into a protection mode, also called hibernation, and the display on the handlebars cannot be switched on.
Changing an e-bike tyre: how to go about it
Whether it is a puncture, a nail in the tyre or a switch from summer to winter tyres: with a few tools you can do it yourself. You need a spanner, tyre levers and a pump, or an e-bike multitool.
- Make sure the drive system is switched off.
- Unlock the lock and take off the battery.
- Disconnect the plug connector next to the drive wheel.
- Loosen the wheel, usually with a 15 mm open-ended spanner.
- Pull the rear derailleur backwards to bypass the gears.
- Carefully pull the wheel out of the dropouts.
- Gently lever the tyre over the rim with the tyre lever.
- Undo the valve cap and knurled nut and pull the inner tube off the rim.
- Inflate the new inner tube only slightly and gradually pull it over the tyre. Then inflate it fully. You can also repair the old inner tube with a puncture repair kit.
- Refit the wheel in the reverse order and tighten everything.
Oiling an e-bike chain properly
Every chain needs oil from time to time. As soon as the pedals become harder to turn, it is time for cleaning and oiling.
- Clean the chain, cassette, chainrings and jockey wheels with an old rag.
- Turn the crank and put a drop of oil on each chain link. Oil the inside of the chain, not the outside.
- Wait a few minutes and turn the crank a few times.
- Wipe off excess oil with a dry rag so that the chain does not attract too much dirt.
E-bike battery won't charge: causes and prevention
There are many possible reasons for this too. In winter there is an extra problem: very high and very low temperatures damage the battery. If you leave it outside on the bike or store it too cold, it can suffer deep discharge, which damages the battery. Individual cells or the fuse can also fail.
Do not work on it yourself
Once the battery is defective, you should not tinker with it at home. Get professional help, for example from our e-bike battery repair.
How to protect your battery
- No contact with water
- Avoid extreme temperatures
- Avoid complete discharge
- In winter, do not leave it outside on the bike and do not store it too cold
When to go to the e-bike workshop? We will help.
If the DIY repair does not work or you are unsure, the workshop is the right place.
Related pages
More knowledge on care, technology and service.
Frequently asked questions about repairing your e-bike yourself
Short answers to the most important questions.
What can I do if the e-bike display won't switch on?
If the e-bike display won't switch on, you probably have not used your e-bike for a while. The e-bike battery has then gone into protection mode (hibernation). On most e-bike models there is a button directly on the battery: press it until the battery starts, and then switch the display on again. If the e-bike display stays off nonetheless, there may be another cause and the workshop should check the e-bike.
What is protection mode (hibernation) on an e-bike battery?
Protection mode is a state the e-bike battery goes into automatically when the e-bike is not used for a longer period. In protection mode the display on the handlebars cannot be switched on. On most e-bike models you reactivate the battery with the button directly on the battery.
What can I do if the e-bike battery won't charge?
If the e-bike battery won't charge, there are many possible causes: extreme temperatures, deep discharge, defective individual cells or a defective fuse in the battery. If the e-bike battery is defective, you should not work on it yourself but ask the experts. YouMo offers e-bike battery repair for this.
Which e-bike tools do I need for minor repairs?
For minor e-bike repairs such as changing a tyre and chain care, you need a spanner (usually a 15 mm open-ended spanner), tyre levers, a pump, a puncture repair kit, an old rag and chain oil. Instead of individual tools, an e-bike multitool is often enough.
When should I go to the e-bike workshop?
You should go to the e-bike workshop if the e-bike battery is defective or no longer charges, if the display stays off even after activating the battery, if your DIY repair does not work or if you are unsure about a job. In Switzerland, YouMo's e-bike service can help you; in Germany, the e-bike service in Germany.
Does the e-bike warranty lapse if I repair it myself?
Whether the e-bike warranty is preserved after a DIY repair depends on the manufacturer and the model. Before working on your e-bike, therefore, ask your manufacturer or dealer which jobs you may do yourself. As a rule, you should not work on the e-bike battery yourself.
How do I store the e-bike battery in winter?
Do not leave the e-bike battery outside on the bike in winter, because very high and very low temperatures damage the battery. Storing it too cold can also lead to deep discharge, which permanently damages the e-bike battery. Also avoid contact with water and complete discharge.
How often should I oil the e-bike chain?
The e-bike chain needs oil from time to time. As soon as the pedals become harder to turn, it is time to clean and oil the chain. To do this, first clean the chain, cassette, chainrings and jockey wheels, then put a drop of oil on each chain link and wipe off excess oil with a dry rag.
How do you oil an e-bike chain properly?
Clean the e-bike chain with an old rag, turn the crank and put a drop of oil on each link. Oil the inside of the chain, not the outside. After a few minutes and a few turns of the crank, wipe off excess oil with a dry rag so the chain attracts less dirt.
How do I change the tyre on an e-bike?
To change a tyre, first switch off the drive system, take off the e-bike battery and disconnect the plug connector next to the drive wheel. Then loosen the wheel (usually with a 15 mm open-ended spanner), lever the tyre over the rim with the tyre lever, pull off the inner tube and fit the new one. You will find the full step-by-step instructions further up this page. Depending on the e-bike model and drive, the steps may differ.
How do I protect the e-bike battery from damage?
Keep the e-bike battery away from water, avoid extreme temperatures and do not let it discharge completely. This keeps the battery performing for longer. In winter, the battery does not belong outside on the bike.
Where can I get e-bike service and repair in Switzerland and Germany?
YouMo offers e-bike service and repair in Switzerland and information for customers in Germany. You will find the offers on the pages E-bike service & repair in Switzerland and E-bike service in Germany. For Go SwissDrive e-bikes there is also a repair request form. If you have questions, the contact form will help.
Can't get any further?
Our service team will take a look at your e-bike. Get in touch with us, we will be happy to help.