E-Performance: Anyone who travels a lot with their e-bike will sooner or later have to give their two-wheeler some care. In addition to thorough cleaning, the drive in particular needs regular maintenance. This way you can have fun on the bike for a long time and wear and tear is reduced. We explain how to do it best and how to avoid common mistakes.
The cleaning of the frame and the components - the special features of the e-bike
In general, there are few differences between cleaning a traditional bike and an e-bike. In both cases, we recommend using a special bicycle cleaner that reliably removes dirt without damaging seals and plastic parts. Of course, you can also use conventional washing-up liquid or just warm water for this, but to be honest: You are making life unnecessarily difficult. A special cleaner is usually much faster and more thorough. In addition, you can be 100% sure that no surfaces will be attacked or damaged.
Can't I just clean my e-bike with a high-pressure cleaner?
The short answer: Nein! The high pressure forces the water into bearings and possibly also under the engine cover and can lead to problems. There is now special pressure washers, e.g. from Kärcherthat work with less pressure and can also be used for the e-bike. But the same applies here: Always keep a sufficient distance and do not spray directly on bearing points and plug connections.
In addition to the usual suspects from Muc-Off or Motorex, there is also the F100 cleaner by Dr. wack recommended. It comes pre-mixed in a spray bottle and is quick and easy to apply. However, before you jump into action with over-motivation, there are a few points to consider:
Remove battery: The battery should be removed in any case and cleaned separately. Depending on the manufacturer, this may only be splash-proof and moisture could get inside if cleaned properly.
If possible, remove the display: Many displays can be removed using a click or slide mechanism. If this is not the case, we recommend covering it with a cloth and then cleaning it separately and carefully.
Not necessary, but recommended: remove the wheels and clean separately with fresh water. A lot of dirt and also oily and greasy substances accumulate on the wheel. If these come into contact with the brake flanks or brake discs during cleaning via a sponge or cloth, the braking performance will suffer later.
With the appropriate preparation, cleaning can be done quite quickly. In the case of heavy soiling and dried-on dirt, e.g. on the E-MTB, it is advisable to first remove the very coarse dirt with a garden hose or a sponge and some water. Then spray the entire wheel generously with cleaner and let it take effect for a short time. Finally, rinse off the cleaner again with a garden hose. If you don't have access to a water connection, you can use one instead plant sprayer use. In hard-to-reach places you may have to help with a sponge or a soft brush.
Cleaning the drive and the chain
The drive area of a bicycle is exposed to extreme loads - this applies all the more to e-bikes. The additional power that the motor exerts on the chain, the chainring and the cassette places special demands on the material and its care. With every turn of the crank, the chain slides over the cassette and the chainring, causing friction. If the drive train is heavily soiled and insufficiently lubricated, not only does the noise level increase, but also wear. This reduces the shift quality and the drive components have to be replaced at shorter intervals.
For these reasons, it is all the more important that you now and then devote a few minutes of cleaning and care to the drive of your e-bike. Especially when you ride your bike all year round, even in bad weather and on roads flooded with road salt. In this way, the drive remains quiet, the shift quality is high and wear and tear, and therefore costs, are reduced.
There are basically two components to caring for a bicycle drivetrain: The Cleaning and the Lubrication.
Basically, cleaning is never wrong! If you do it right. Anyone who only travels when the weather is nice and generally does not necessarily count among the frequent drivers does not have to clean the drive after every journey. It is sufficient to invest a few minutes every 2-3 weeks and depending on the kilometers driven. On the other hand, anyone who is out and about every day, regardless of the wind and weather, is doing their e-bike something good if they clean and relubricate the drive every one or two days. This is especially true in winter when the road salt adds to the components.
Cleaning the cassette, chain and chainring: what do I need?
Cleaning supplies: In addition to a general cleaning agent for the bike and frame, we also recommend a special agent for the drive. This is often sold under the term chain cleaner. Both are available from dr Wack from the F100 bike range.
Brush: The A&O if you want to quickly and efficiently remove dirt from your drive. For the cassette there is special brushes, with which you can easily get between the individual sprockets. In a pinch, a toothbrush with extra-hard bristles will also do.
rags: You should also have a cloth or rag ready to wipe off or catch excess lubricating oil. It should be reasonably tear-resistant so that the sprockets and chain don't tear it apart too quickly. Old t-shirts are a good example.
Cleaning the cassette, chain and chainring: how do I do it?
There is no universal panacea for the 100% correct cleaning of the drive, everyone proceeds a little differently. If you are in a hurry, you can put some chain oil on the rag and carefully pull the chain through. This removes the coarsest dirt and also applies some lubricant. But beware: This does not replace proper cleaning of the drive, but is better than no care at all.
The right cleaner is essential for thorough cleaning of the entire drive. On the one hand, this should also remove stubborn dirt, but not have a too strong degreasing effect, otherwise the lubrication will be removed from the individual chain links, which will make the chain unusable after a few cleaning processes. Therefore, under no circumstances resort to strong fat-dissolving agents such as WD40 for chain and drive care, as this will damage more than it will help. Even washing-up liquid is not optimal here, as this can impair the lubrication of the chain.
Caution is advised when spraying on the cleaner: Here you should avoid getting the brake calipers and discs or the brake flanks of rim brakes. The substances contained impair braking performance. Our tip: simply remove the wheels for cleaning to be on the safe side.
After an exposure time of 10-15 minutes, you can simply rinse off the cleaner with a garden hose or similar. In the case of very stubborn dirt, you may have to help a little: With the cassette with the brush mentioned, with the chain better with a rag. Otherwise, a brush may only push the dirt on the chain further into the bearing. Cassette, chain and chainrings now shine in new splendor, the first step has been taken - now the chain definitely needs to be re-lubricated.
Lubricate or oil the drive
Chain oil or chain spray?
Most manufacturers offer their chain oil both in a classic dropper bottle and as a spray. We recommend the traditional dropper bottle here. The oil can be applied in a more targeted manner and there is no risk of the brake discs or sides being covered in a fine oil mist.
Chain oil or comparable lubricants are now available in countless variants. However, it is advisable to use a product specially developed for e-bikes, as these have a significantly longer service life with the additional load under the motor power. at Dr. wow, there is that F100 chain oil in a special variant for e-bikes, which is also anti-corrosive and overall more durable.
Always be careful when applying the lubricant: If the oil gets on the brake system, the braking force will drop to zero! If it comes into contact with the brake pads, they even have to be replaced. For this reason we prefer to use chain oil from a classic dropper bottle. When dosing you can use the rule of thumb One drop per chain link use. Tip: Always apply the oil from the inside, so it also lubricates the cassette and chainring at the same time. Very important: Then wipe off the excess oil - the easiest way to do this is to pull the chain through a rag. Background: If there is too much oil on the chain, the dirt sticks faster and the drive gets dirty even faster than before.
After cleaning: Aftercare with care oil or wax
If the wheel is clean again and the drive is lubricated, you can at least prevent new dirt from forming. The use of special care oil or wax, which can be applied to the frame, is ideal for this. In this way, the colors of the frame come into their own a little better and new dirt does not stick quite as quickly. However, caution is also required here: Many manufacturers offer such care oil in spray bottles. We recommend putting the oil on a soft cloth and applying it to the frame again. Otherwise there is a risk of contamination of the brake system again.