Beyond regular at-home maintenance, scheduling routine professional tune-ups helps catch small issues before they become costly repairs. Always check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals and follow those guidelines. If none are listed, base your servicing frequency on how often you ride—frequent riders need more regular checkups.
Tune-ups: Include inspection, adjustments, and minor repairs to keep all systems running smoothly. Aim for one every few months.
Full overhauls: A complete teardown and rebuild of your e-bike’s components, only necessary when recommended by a qualified technician.
Top 10 E-Bike Maintenance Tips for New Owners
Written by: Rémy Rossi | November 28, 2025 | Time to read 6 min
Keep your e-Bike running smoothly with these simple electric bicycle care tips!
More about the Author: Rémy 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.
Getting off on the right pedal stroke when it comes to e-Bike maintenance is crucial for new riders. You’ll develop good habits to keep your electric bike healthy and running smoothly, and extend its lifespan— saving you money and avoiding headaches.
The most commonly replaced components during Upway's refurbishment process include drivetrain and brake parts, accessories, and electronics. Pedal-assisted bikes require some special care that new owners may not be aware of, so here’s a brief breakdown of the top 10 beginner e-Bike tips for maintaining your ride that’ll keep it from, well… breaking down.
Table of Contents
Top 10 E-Bike Maintenance Tips for New Owners
1. Assemble the e-Bike correctly
3. Develop healthy charging habits
4. Bike check after the first several rides, then periodic servicing
5. Download the e-Bike app, and use it!
6. Clean your e-Bike regularly
7. Keep tires properly inflated
8. Check the brakes every month
10. Keep the chain and drivetrain clean and lubricated
E-Bike maintenance is worth it
Key TakeawaysTop 10 E-Bike Maintenance Tips for New Owners
1. Assemble the e-Bike correctly
This may seem like a no-brainer, but maintenance problems can arise right out of the box. If you purchase your e-Bike online from a retailer like Upway, it’ll arrive partially assembled. The assembly steps are actually quite easy, but mistakes can happen— you’ll also want to check the bike for any damage that may have occurred during shipping, just to be sure.
Install the pedals correctly, ensure the fork is pointed the right way, both wheels are tightened, and that the handlebars are straight. Upway has helpful videos to guide you through the final assembly steps, whether you choose the 15-minute assembly or the 5-minute assembly option.
Install the pedals correctly, ensure the fork is pointed the right way, both wheels are tightened, and that the handlebars are straight. Upway has helpful videos to guide you through the final assembly steps, whether you choose the 15-minute assembly or the 5-minute assembly option.
2. ABC-Quick check
Each time before you ride, complete the “ABC” check to ensure your bike is safe and ready to roll.
- A is for air: Check that the tires are properly inflated to the correct tire pressure. Tires without enough air are slower and prone to pinch flats.
- B is for brakes: Roll the bike back and forth, testing that the brakes are functioning correctly. Most e-Bikes have hydraulic disc brakes, which are quite low-maintenance.
- C is for chain: Keep your chain clean, free of debris and rust, and well lubricated.
I like to add the “Quick” part to this rapid bike check to include quick-release skewers. Ensure the wheels are securely fastened, whether that’s via quick-release skewers or more modern thru-axles. You can give the wheels a shake and squeeze to test the tire pressure, brakes, and wheel tightness all in just a couple of seconds.
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3. Develop healthy charging habits
Get into the rhythm of keeping your electric bike charged, ideally between 20% and 80% at all times. Don’t worry about overcharging or leaving it plugged in, though— modern e-Bike chargers are designed to stop charging or trickle power gradually when the battery is full. Leaving the battery with very low charge for long periods (weeks or months) can damage the battery.
Avoid storing the battery in extreme cold or high temperatures, which can also reduce battery performance. Plus, when you keep your battery sufficiently charged, you’ll always have enough range for your next ride!
Avoid storing the battery in extreme cold or high temperatures, which can also reduce battery performance. Plus, when you keep your battery sufficiently charged, you’ll always have enough range for your next ride!
4. Bike check after the first several rides, then periodic servicing
Bike maintenance is critical right from the start. Issues can reveal themselves or components can shift about during the first few rides, so be especially alert to any problems on the bike. Check the brakes and shifting of your new bike after just a few rides to make sure everything is as it should be. After that, you should keep up with regular cleanings and service the bike once or twice every season, if necessary.
5. Download the e-Bike app, and use it!
You can fine-tune the efficiency of your e-Bike right from your smartphone. Major brands such as Trek, Aventon, Cannondale, and Specialized offer robust companion apps that let cyclists personalize and manage every aspect of their e-Bike’s performance. Motor settings enable precise adjustment of pedal-assist power levels. By tailoring these settings to suit your riding preferences—and dialing back the assist when needed— you can significantly extend the bike’s range. See your bike’s stats, track your rides, and fine-tune tons of settings.
6. Clean your e-Bike regularly
Keeping your e-Bike clean helps prevent the buildup of dirt and grime that can accelerate wear. This is especially important for electric mountain bikes or if you ride in rainy or muddy conditions. While all e-Bikes are built to handle moisture, some manufacturers advise removing the battery before rinsing.
Fill a bucket or grab a hose to give your bike a good rinse— bonus points if you use bike-specific soap and a degreaser on the drivetrain. The motor and battery are well protected by durable seals, and built-in drainage channels help direct water away from sensitive electrical parts. Once everything is clean, dry off the bike, lube the chain, and you’re ready to ride again.
7. Keep tires properly inflated
This is the number one tip I give my friends when they start riding or get a new bike. Tires lose air gradually— especially bikes with inner tubes rather than tubeless setups— so you’ll need to pump them up every once in a while. And it’s probably more often than you think. With my bikes, I top off the air at least once a week. Tires with too little air feel sluggish, reduce efficiency, and are more susceptible to pinch flats. Do yourself a favor and get an inexpensive floor pump to keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
8. Check the brakes every month
Brakes should always work— and when they don’t, that’s a problem. Keep an eye on your brakes whenever you ride, listening for any noises, squeaks, squeals, or squishy feeling that may indicate there’s a loss of performance. Most electric bikes these days have hydraulic disc brakes, which are famously low-maintenance— perfect for beginner riders and e-Bike newbies. Brake bleeding is a complex bit of bike mechanics, so feel free to take your bike to the shop if it’s necessary.
9. Store your bike indoors
Keep your electric bike inside to protect it from the elements and potential bike thieves. Sheltering your e-Bike from the cold, rain, snow, and grimy outside world when you’re not riding it will extend its lifespan significantly and reduce component wear. A convenient indoor location also makes it easier to charge the electric bike. You can remove the battery during charging or keep it on the bike.
10. Keep the chain and drivetrain clean and lubricated
Wear and tear are a natural part of riding, but you can slow it down by keeping the drivetrain, gears, and chain clean and well-lubricated. Grime and debris accumulate on the drivetrain and wear down the metal components over time. Clean the bike with degreaser, dry it, and apply the correct lubricant to freshen up the drivetrain— you’ll probably even notice a quieter, smoother ride.
E-Bike maintenance is worth it
Caring for your e-Bike doesn’t have to be complicated— just consistent. With a few simple habits, from keeping your tires inflated to cleaning the drivetrain and scheduling regular tune-ups, you’ll keep your ride smooth, reliable, and ready for adventure. Treat your e-Bike well, and it’ll reward you with thousands of carefree miles. When it’s time to upgrade or explore certified pre-owned options, Upway’s trusted selection makes finding your next ride effortless.
Ready to ride? Explore certified e-Bikes at Upway!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I maintain my bike?
Should I charge my e-Bike after every ride?
Yes— keeping the battery fully or nearly fully charged ensures you have enough range for your next range and maintains optimal battery charge levels. Modern batteries are much better equipped to avoid problems from overcharging.
How do I keep my e-Bike battery healthy?
Store the battery at or around room temperature and avoid prolonged exposure to the elements or extreme cold which can decrease performance. For long-term storage, try to keep the charge level between 30%-80%. Charging the battery after every ride is perfectly fine, too.
Key Takeaways
- Start Smart: Assemble carefully, check air, brakes, and chain before every ride.
- Consistent Care: Keep your bike clean, charged, and properly stored to prevent wear.
- Service Regularly: Schedule tune-ups and adjust settings with your e-Bike app for peak efficiency.
