An e-bike needs care. What can you handle yourself and what already requires a service shop?

The season is starting, and that is exactly why it's the ideal time to take your e-bike to a service shop. Modern e-bikes have long since stopped being just “bikes with a motor” and are rather sophisticated machines full of electronics, software and smart systems. And it is these that occasionally need professional care. What can you handle yourself, and when do you need to use a service shop? And how do you choose the right service shop? Professional cyclist and Bosch eBike Systems ambassador Richard Gasperotti has the advice.

Almost anyone can handle basic maintenance at home. With an e-bike, though, the fun ends the moment it comes to the motor, the battery and the electronics.

“An e-bike is a complex system. Without professional diagnostics it can no longer be kept in good shape over the long term,” explains Richard Gasperotti. “At an authorized service shop, a mechanic connects the bike to diagnostics similar to those used for cars. Within a few minutes they can see the condition of the motor and the battery, the error messages, and whether you have up-to-date software. An older version can mean poorer performance, needless errors or a shorter range. Software updates and the removal of hidden faults are exactly the things a layperson can't fix at home, but that can really spoil your mood during the season.”

The app knows more than you do. And sometimes it saves your season

Current e-bikes are connected to mobile apps and behave more and more like smart cars. “The app itself reminds you of the service interval and offers the nearest service shop for the given brand,” explains Gasperotti. It also works as a digital service book, thanks to which you have an overview of all interventions, inspections and repairs. “If a mechanic has their own diagnostic system for the given brand, it means certainty that they have completed the relevant training, have the latest software version to solve your problems and are connected to the supply chain with spare parts.”

Batteries ask for good treatment

Batteries are the most common source of concern because they have a limited lifespan. “But don't worry, it's not such a drama. Reputable manufacturers state that with proper handling you can ride up to 60,000 kilometers on one battery over its lifetime,” reassures Richard Gasperotti, and adds: “A lot depends on handling and storage. It is recommended to store the battery at a charge level between 30% and 60%. If it is charged less or more over the long term, it ages faster.” In the cold season it is also good to know that storing and charging the bike at between 10 and 20 °C is better than storing it at room temperature. And if you haven't ridden the bike for a longer time and it is technically possible, take the battery out of the bike and store it in a dry place. Safety also plays a big role. Batteries from reputable brands are made of quality materials, go through a large number of demanding tests during development, and their operation is continuously watched by an intelligent battery management system that monitors its condition, recognizes potential faults in time and protects against excessive heating or overload.

You recognize a good service shop the same way as a good doctor

Finding a reliable service mechanic is almost as important as finding a good doctor. “You build a relationship with a mechanic – you know you can rely on them, that they won't turn you away, that they have contacts and that they won't leave you waiting for a spare part all summer,” says the professional cyclist, pointing out that at authorized Bosch eBike Systems service shops you never wait longer than three days for spare parts. That way you won't lose part of the season because of a missing component. “A good mechanic can tell you what is going to happen, what the procedure is and at least roughly the price. They don't show off and don't badmouth other people's repairs,” sums up Richard Gasperotti.

Many service shops also offer a pre-season inspection, which can uncover small problems before they turn into big – and expensive – ones. So while you plan your first spring route, let the experts take care of the technical side. Your e-bike will repay you with the very first pedal stroke.

What you can handle yourself with an e-bike

Regular e-bike maintenance is no rocket science, and almost anyone can handle most of the basic things at home:

• Cleaning the bike (frame, chain, cassette – gently, without pressure on the electronics)
• Checking tire pressure
• Lubricating the chain and moving parts
• Basic brake check and adjustment
• E-bike software updates (old software can mean poorer performance or a shorter range)
• Proper battery handling
  • storage at 30–60% charge
  • keeping the battery in a dry place
  • ideal temperature 10–20 °C
  • taking the battery out of the bike during a longer break (if possible)

These steps help keep the bike in good shape, but they don't deal with its technical condition in depth.

What belongs in the hands of a professional service shop

The moment it comes to electronics, home maintenance ends:

• Diagnostics of the electric motor and the control unit
  • detecting hidden faults
  • reading error messages
• Checking the battery condition
  • evaluating its condition and lifespan
  • finding out the number of charging cycles
• Solving electronic faults and errors
• Work requiring original diagnostic tools and access to spare parts