Behind the Scenes: Upway's E-Bike Reconditioning Process
Written by: Rémy Rossi | April 30, 2025 | Time to read 5 min
What are the most common repairs at our UpCenters? Here’s how Upway gets your e-Bike into tip-top shape.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
A lot goes on behind the scenes before you’ll see that shiny e-Bike posted on Upway’s online catalog. Those glossy JPEGs are just snapshots of the electric bike that’s waiting for its new owner— you! The certified e-Bike is in great condition, but how does it get there? Here’s a look at the most common repairs completed at our UpCenters, ensuring your electric bike is riding like a dream.
How are Upway e-Bikes certified?
Upway sources electric bikes from a few channels, including directly from brands, bike shops, and individuals selling used e-Bikes. We follow a rigorous certification process to ensure every pre-owned electric bike meets high standards before resale. The process begins with a 50-point inspection that covers all major components, and our professional mechanics will perform any necessary mechanical repairs.
For electrical components, Upway refurbishes or replaces items like displays, sensors, and lights, and ensures that battery capacity is above 80%—replacing or reconditioning batteries as needed. At the end of repairs, each bike is thoroughly cleaned and undergoes a final quality control inspection. For another layer of confidence, Upway includes a one-year warranty.
For electrical components, Upway refurbishes or replaces items like displays, sensors, and lights, and ensures that battery capacity is above 80%—replacing or reconditioning batteries as needed. At the end of repairs, each bike is thoroughly cleaned and undergoes a final quality control inspection. For another layer of confidence, Upway includes a one-year warranty.
Top 10 Common Repairs at Our UpCenters
I asked our friendly mechanics about their most common tasks when reconditioning e-Bikes at the UpCenter. Our expert mechanics have seen it all, and these minor repairs keep them plenty busy. Interestingly, most of these repairs are actually related to mechanical parts rather than electrical components— but we always ensure the motor, battery, and controller are performing optimally anyway.
Cassette replacement
Electric bikes are more powerful than standard bikes and that puts more wear and tear on the parts which drive the rear wheel forward. The helpful motorized assistance adds additional force on the gears on the rear wheel— known as the cassette. And all that heavy use over time will wear down the teeth on that metal cluster of gears. But by simply switching out the worn cassette for a new one, the e-Bike will be enjoying precise shifting and efficient power transfer.
Chain replacement
In a similar vein, chain replacement is a common repair at the UpCenter because of e-Bikes’ extra power. Chains on all bicycles will naturally stretch over time and too much stretch will lead to imprecise shifting or chain slippage. The added power of an e-Bike mid-drive motor speeds up this process slightly, requiring a new chain to be installed. Easy peasy.
Brake bleeding
Most electric bikes have hydraulic disc brakes because of their increased stopping power and reliable performance, especially considering e-Bikes’ extra weight and speed. Hydraulic brakes are known for requiring little maintenance because of the closed system that’s protected from the elements— and unlike mechanical brakes, there’s no exposed cable or cable stretch. But if there is a problem, hydraulic brakes require brake bleeding— and it’s a good repair to do every once in a while, anyway.
Brake pad replacement
Freshening up those disc brake pads ensures you have responsive, powerful brakes from the get-go. If the electric bike had sufficient mileage in its previous life, the brake pads may be worn down and require replacement. This is a simple repair that reaps huge benefits.
Rotor truing
Disc brakes work by clamping down on the disc rotor that’s bolted to the wheel to slow the bike. Whether it’s from a big bump or heavy use, sometimes those rotors can get bent. Our mechanics can “true” the rotors, or get them back to perfectly straight, ensuring your disc brakes are working just as well as they did on day one.
Wheel truing
Similar to disc brake rotors, wheels can get out of true, meaning there’s a slight imperfection in how they roll. This has to do with spoke tension which connects the rim to the hub and gives the wheel its strong structure. By adjusting certain spokes, we can get the wheel back to perfectly straight in a jiffy. Back in my bike mechanic days, this was actually one of my favorite repairs to do in the shop.
Tire replacement
Tires wear down over time and Upway ensures you’ve got some fresh rubber on your next e-Bike. Tires in good condition provide the right amount of traction and are less prone to punctures. Some of our e-Bikes have never been ridden before whereas some have more mileage and require tire replacement to get them back to like-new condition.
Controller replacement
The controller makes sure the motor and battery are talking to each other correctly. The compact electrical part may be integrated inside the frame or mounted along the frame. Occasionally, this important component needs to be replaced to ensure optimal motor and battery performance. Upway specializes in electric bikes and our professional mechanics are experts when it comes to completing this repair.
Lock core and keys replacement
Many Dutch-style e-Bikes, such as hybrid e-Bikes from Gazelle, feature an integrated wheel lock. And we all know that keys have a habit of getting lost. If we receive a bike without the proper keys to match the lock, we have to replace the lock core and source the correct keys. And if your electric bike doesn’t come with an integrated lock, you can purchase a lock and other e-Bike accessories directly from Upway.
Dropper post repair
Many electric mountain bikes come with a dropper post that lets riders change their seat height on the fly. Dropping the seat gets it out of the way while standing up on the pedal and descending technical trails, while a higher seated position is more efficient pedaling up the climbs. The mechanics team reported that this repair is one of the most common ones which makes sense considering Upway’s huge selection of e-MTBs ready to shred the trails.
Key Takeaways
- Rigorous Certification Process: Every e-bike at Upway goes through a thorough 50-point inspection, including both mechanical and electrical checks.
- Common Mechanical Repairs Dominate: While Upway services both mechanical and electrical components, the most frequent repairs are mechanical—like replacing cassettes, chains, and brake pads, as well as truing wheels and rotors.
- Attention to Detail and Customization: Upway doesn’t just restore function— they enhance usability. Whether it’s replacing lock cores and keys, tuning dropper posts on e-MTBs, or installing fresh tires, the team ensures every bike is safe, fully functional, and tailored to the rider’s needs.
