How to care for your e-bike

E-bikes need a little TLC to keep running smoothly. Whether you’re a first-time rider or an experienced cyclist, follow these simple tips to get the best out of your e-bike.

Use all your gears ( as well as the motor)

‍If you’re new to e-bikes, you might be tempted to rely on the motor to skip using your gears. This can lead to uneven wear of the bike’s cassette (the rear gear cluster), which means an expensive replacement of the cassette and chain. To avoid this, get into the habit of shifting gears so they work in harmony with the motor. Your bike shop will be happy to give you a demo.

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Skip the pressure washer

‍Pressure washers can force water into the motor, controller, and even the bearings, causing serious damage. Stick to washing by hand and you’ll avoid the risk - and more than likely to a better job anyway.

Look after your battery

A good quality e-bike battery will last for years if you take care of it. However, you run the risk of a dead or damaged battery if you leave it uncharged for months, especially in a cold shed. Before storing your bike for any extended period, charge the battery fully and check it every few weeks to keep it healthy. Remember, like your phone, e-bike batteries lose capacity over time.

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Routine maintenance matters

E-bikes put more strain on components like the chain and gears due to the motor’s power. Regularly check for wear, and don’t wait too long to replace worn parts. Catching issues early - like replacing a chain before it wears out the entire drivetrain - will save you money. It's just one of the reasons to get e-bikes serviced regularly.

Check your tyres

‍One of the quickest and easiest way to prolong your battery life is to keep your tyres inflated to the correct pressure. Under-inflated tyres make the motor work harder, draining the battery faster.

e-bike insurance: Protect your investment

Our e-bike insurance includes everything you’d expect, like theft, accidental damage and vandalism cover – plus a few things you might not. For example, we have a no-quibble battery theft policy, zero devaluation for life, and if you break down on your electric bike, or run out of battery, you can call us 24/7 and we’ll arrange a rescue. Whether you ride a tricycle, folding, mountain or cargo electric bike, our comprehensive policy has you covered.

Every ETA cycle insurance policy includes the following as standard:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue (breakdown cover for your electric bicycle and you)
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)

Read a full list of everything we include as standard.

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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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