eBikes are now seen in great numbers around New Zealand, offering a satisfying blend of exercise, efficiency and a unique feeling that there isn’t anywhere that you and your bike cannot go. Most eBike owners use their bikes for a mix of trail and urban use, getting the most out of our country’s wonderful network of cycling tracks that constitute the ultimate weekend adventure for many.
But owning an eBike isn’t a 'set and forget 'deal: eBikes need looking after so that they can look after you. James Speedy from Electrify.nz chats with Channel Mag's Liz Cannon to explain how eBike owners are maintaining their bikes, and even enhancing their rides for use off the ever-beaten track.
eBikes can be a sizable investment, often due to the powerful motor and battery components required to make them capable of climbing steep hills and reaching high speeds. The added power the eBike’s motor exerts can mean that parts such as drive-trains and brake systems wear at faster rates and damage can occur more easily. So it’s important to keep your eBike safe and reliable while out in the field by making sure your bike is well cared for so that your bike will continue to deliver reliable performance. Maintaining your eBike with routine maintenance will also prolong the parts on the bike, making it run smoother, and saving money in the long run.
Keeping up with the eBike’s maintenance is mostly easy and can be enjoyable. Many owners take an interest in learning how to take care of their bikes themselves. Electrify.nz North Shore store is set up to host eBike maintenance workshops over the summer season, introducing evening sessions of small groups to offer eBike riders hands-on advice on how to maintain their eBikes, and even carry out field repairs for those who venture further away from help. This can be done by performing the simplest of maintenance techniques, such as cleaning and lubricating your chain, inflating your tyres and running through some straightforward checks to give your bike a self-appraised WoF before your ride. Part of taking care of your bike also involves perfecting riding techniques, becoming more proficient with using gears and getting the most out of eBike drive systems.
Typically, eBike motors, batteries and other electrical components are maintenance-free. Most eBikes have lithium-ion batteries, which require regular charging to maintain capacity at around 50%. While there are mixed opinions on battery care, most eBike owners can expect to see their battery offer them a five- to 10-year lifetime, assuming occasional usage and proper care and maintenance.
In more recent times, mechanical cycle components have caught up with the new demands of eBikes, with some modern chains, gear systems and tyres now bearing eBike certifications to handle the additional forces that eBikes provide. Shimano’s innovative LinkGlide eBike gear system is up to four times more durable, for instance, allowing a longer life in line with the bike itself.
Contact James at Electrify.nz now for details of a special offer to all Channel Mag readers: $50* off your first eBike service.
*$50 discount for first-time customers from service packages only. Excludes parts and additional work. Offer available at Electrify.NZ North Shore only. T&Cs apply. Promotion is valid for December and January only, subject to availability.
Electrify.nz
Northridge Plaza, 100 Don Mckinnon Drive, Albany
09 414 4877
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-3pm. Closed public holidays
www.electrify.nz/northshore
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