What you should regularly maintain on your E-MTB

Thomas Rögner

 · 17.05.2020

What you should regularly maintain on your E-MTBPhoto: Georg Grieshaber
What you should regularly maintain on your E-MTB

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If you love your e-mountainbike, you need to lubricate it. Here we explain where greases, oils and sprays should be used at regular intervals.

The chain

It is subjected to even greater stress when e-biking. A dry chain loses efficiency, causes increased wear, jumps and is more likely to break. Caution: With certain Bosch motors, the crank can only be turned forwards. So: Turn the bike upside down or hang it on the assembly stand.

How often to lubricate?

Principle: Clean the chain first, then oil it! After every ride in the rain and after washing. Otherwise every four weeks at the latest. Rub a slightly dirty chain with a cloth, then oil it. After a few minutes or the next day, rub off any excess.

  Clean the chain first, then oil it!Photo: Daniel Simon Clean the chain first, then oil it!

Check!

The chain becomes longer and longer during operation. If a certain length is exceeded, the chainring and sprocket will be severely worn. A Gauge reveals excessive elongation. If the chain jumps, look for stiff links and make this point flexible by bending it sideways back and forth.

  Check the chain length with the measuring gauge!Photo: Daniel Simon Check the chain length with the measuring gauge!

The circuit

The cleaner, the better the gears slip. Press the rollers with a soft object (Tyre lever) from dirt. Then treat their bearings and the joints of the derailleur cage - including the derailleur, if still present - sparingly with silicone oil. Do not use grease or resinous oils, as these will only attract dirt.

How often to lubricate?

After riding in the rain and after washing. Wipe dry with a soft cloth. When treating with spray, take care not to spray anything onto the brake disc. Interval in dry conditions: six to eight weeks, clean the brake discs every week depending on use.

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  Precision work: cleaning the gearstick with sprayPhoto: Daniel Simon Precision work: cleaning the gearstick with spray

Check!

If the derailleur hanger is slightly bent, the gears will jam. At axle height, check from behind whether the derailleur cage is exactly perpendicular (parallel) to the sprockets.

  Check derailleur hangerPhoto: Daniel Simon Check derailleur hanger

Lubricant

  <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=11768&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+chains%C3%B6l&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rosebikes.de%2Ffahrradzubeh%25C3%25B6r%2Freinigung-und-pflege%2Ffahrradpflegemittel%2Fkette" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">chain oil</a> *: High-quality products with additives such as graphite or wax increase the service life and preserve the chain at the same time.Photo: Daniel Simon chain oil *: High-quality products with additives such as graphite or wax increase the service life and preserve the chain at the same time.   <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=11768&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+care+bearing grease&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rosebikes.de%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dlagerfett" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">GREASE</a> *: Only for areas that move slowly or need to be protected from moisture, such as the headset or the joints of the suspension rear triangle.Photo: Daniel Simon GREASE *: Only for areas that move slowly or need to be protected from moisture, such as the headset or the joints of the suspension rear triangle.
  <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=11768&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+Brunox+Spray&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rosebikes.de%2Fbrunox-spray-deo-555557" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">BRUNOX DEO</a> *: Classic from Switzerland, especially for fork and damper running surfaces. "Normal" penetrating oil can attack the seals.Photo: Daniel Simon BRUNOX DEO *: Classic from Switzerland, especially for fork and damper running surfaces. "Normal" penetrating oil can attack the seals.  <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=11768&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+silicone%C3%B6l&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rosebikes.de%2Fballistol-bikesilex-silikonspray-786597" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">SILICONE OIL</a> *: It reduces friction, protects plastics and metal, does not stick. Well suited for clipless pedals or gear joints.Photo: Hersteller SILICONE OIL *: It reduces friction, protects plastics and metal, does not stick. Well suited for clipless pedals or gear joints.  <a href="https://amzn.to/34R4fpA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">CONTAKTTSPRAY</a> *: For all areas that transmit electricity: battery and control unit contacts. Prevents flash rust and verdigris formation.Photo: Daniel Simon CONTAKTTSPRAY *: For all areas that transmit electricity: battery and control unit contacts. Prevents flash rust and verdigris formation.  You can download this article or the entire EMTB 4/2019 issue in the EMTB app (<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/de/app/emtb-das-magazin-fur-e-mountainbiker/id1079396102?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">iTunes</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=en.delius_klasing.emtb" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Google Play</a> ) or reorder the edition in the <a href="https://www.delius-klasing.de/emtb-04-2019-emb-2019-04" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DK-Shop</a> .Photo: Markus Greber You can download this article or the entire EMTB 4/2019 issue in the EMTB app (iTunes and Google Play ) or reorder the edition in the DK-Shop .

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