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E-Bike Maintenance 101: Ride More, Wrench Less

Inside info for MTB enthusiasts.
Welcome back, Trail Crew!
I’m Francoin, your friendly Industrial Designer working in the trenches of the bike industry — designing bikes, tools, and gear for the daily grind and weekend send. If you're new here, Trail Insider is your place for clear, useful MTB tips, setup advice, and insight from within the cycling world.
📅 What’s Inside This Week:
Main Feature: E-MTB maintenance guide (it's more important than you think).
Gadget of the Week: Ryder Electric Bike Pump with Digital Pressure Gauge
Shorts: Quick tire pressure tip
MTB Clip of the Week: For your coffee break stoke.
⚡ E-MTB Maintenance: What You Should Know
E-bikes are awesome. More distance. More power. But here’s the catch: they wear out faster.
More torque = more drivetrain stress.
Heavier bikes = faster suspension fatigue.
More riding = more maintenance.
Here’s your no-BS guide to keeping your E-MTB running smoothly.

Great image by ebike-mtb.com
1. 🔋 Battery
Charge after every ride but don’t leave it at 100% for days.
Storage: Cool, dry place. Avoid heat and direct sunlight.
Inspect: Look for cracks in the casing, swelling, corrosion at terminals, or loose connections.
Check connectors: Ensure they’re clean, free of dirt, and making solid contact.
When: After every ride + deeper inspection every 2–3 months.
Solid Infographic by Really Good Ebikes.
2. ⚖️ Drivetrain
Clean: Use a degreaser & brush after muddy or dusty rides.
Lube: Apply chain lube after cleaning, wipe off excess.
Check chain wear: Use a chain checker tool to prevent premature wear on cassette and chainring.
Inspect derailleur alignment: Especially after crashes or tip-overs.
When: Clean/lube every 1–2 rides. Check wear every 3–6 months.

A chain checker tool is cheap and could save you plenty in the long run.
3. ⛓ Brakes
Inspect pads: Check for glazing, uneven wear, and thickness (<1mm = time to replace).
Hydraulic fluid: Check for spongy feel. Bleed if needed.
Check rotors: Spin wheels to detect rubbing, warps, or bent rotors.
When: Inspect pads monthly. Bleed every 6 months or if braking feels soft.
Its easier than you think. Also messier. But also more needed than you think.
4. 🚛 Suspension
Oil leaks: Look at fork/shock seals after rides — any oil streaks may mean time for service.
Clean stanchions: Wipe down fork legs and shock shaft after every ride.
Suspension setup: Adjust air pressure and rebound/compression settings for your weight and riding style.
When: Clean after every ride. Full lower leg/factory service every 50–100 hours or 6–12 months.
Not what I meant when I said your Fox needs a service.
5. 🛍️ Tires & Wheels
Check pressure: Use a gauge before each ride. E-MTBs may need slightly higher PSI to handle weight.
Tread wear: Look for square profile, shallow knobs, or cuts.
Check for punctures: Sealant weeping or sidewall damage.
Spoke tension: Gently squeeze pairs of spokes to feel for loose or uneven tension.
Wheel trueness: Spin wheel and look for wobbles or hops.
When: Inspect before every ride. True wheels and check tension every 6 months or after hard impacts.
6. 🚗 Motor
Clean externally: Use a soft brush or cloth. Never use high-pressure water.
Listen: Grinding, knocking, or unusual resistance = potential motor issue.
Check mounts: Ensure motor is secure to the frame.
Check firmware: Some motors may have updates via apps.
When: Visual check after rides, deeper inspection every 6 months.
Image: ebike-mtb.com
7. 🛋 Frame & Components
Inspect frame: Look for cracks around welds, bottom bracket, and seatpost area.
Bolts: Use a torque wrench to check stem, bars, cranks, and axles (don;t just keep tightening them).
Pedals and contact points: Look for play or looseness.
When: Quick bolt check weekly. Full inspection every 6 months.
Can’t really miss that one!
8. 🔌 Electrical System
Cables & wires: Check for pinches, fraying, or exposed wires near the motor, display, and controller.
Display: Ensure proper startup, no error codes.
Connections: Open junction boxes (if accessible) and blow out dirt/dust.
Battery terminals: Keep clean with a dry brush.
When: Check connections every 2–3 months or if any error appears.
Image: ebike-mtb.com
✅ Maintenance Timeline Summary
Every Ride: Clean drivetrain and stanchions, check tire pressure, inspect battery connections.
Monthly: Inspect brake pads, check bolts, lube drivetrain, visual check of suspension and frame.
3–6 Months: Motor check, drivetrain wear, spoke tension, electrical system scan.
6–12 Months: Suspension service, brake fluid bleed, firmware update, full bike safety check.
🌟 Bottom Line
Want your E-MTB to last longer and ride better? Treat it like a machine that deserves attention. Just 5 minutes of upkeep can save hours (and R’s) in the workshop.

Charge and go!
Image by ebike-mtb.com
🛠 Gadget of the Week
Ryder Electric Bike Pump with Digital Pressure Gauge
Precise, compact, and built for all bikes, including E-bike needs, this rechargeable mini compressor makes maintaining the right tire pressure a breeze. The integrated digital gauge ensures you get your PSI exactly right every time—critical for heavier E-MTBs where pressure matters for performance and puncture prevention.
Fits easily in your pack or tool kit
Sturdy design built for rugged use
Accurate digital readout so you never guess tire pressure again
One charge equals 3.5 × 25G CO2 cartridges - so up to 4× 29” tyres.
Perfect for on-trail adjustments or pre-ride checks.

🩳 Shorts: Real Talk
Q: Can I run the same tire pressure as my analog MTB?
A: Probably not. E-MTBs weigh more. Bump your pressure by 2–4 psi, depending on terrain and tire volume. I would also recommend tyre inserts to prevent flats (at least in the rear).
🎬 MTB Clip of the Week
Ebike or ELegs?
Sam Pilgrim answers the question that no-one was asking. Sam’s always entertaining, grab your coffee and enjoy!
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Thanks for tuning in! Happy trails and torque responsibly!
— Francoin