Are you planning on taking your e-bike out on a long-distance tour? You’ll want to ensure it’s in the best possible shape, so nothing goes wrong while you’re out. Preparing before you leave lets you focus on the ride.
These four expert tips will help you prepare your e-bike for your next long-distance tour. We made sure to include all the essential tips below, so make sure to stick around!
1. Check the Battery
First, you must check the battery before you take it on a long-distance trip. You’ll want to charge the battery the night before so it has plenty of time to reach a full charge.
Start by making sure that the battery is fully charged. Most e-bikes can travel between 30 and 60 miles with a full charge with pedal assist mode on; you wouldn’t want the battery to die partway.
If you’re planning on traveling further than that, you might want to get an extra battery to take with you. Most modern e-bikes come with removable batteries, which are easier to charge. However, that also means that you can swap them out when you’re on a long ride. You must review how to choose the best battery for your bike.
Related Read: Different Types of E-Bikes
2. Inspect the Bike
You wouldn’t want to have to deal with repairs or even have to walk back. We recommend checking on its overall condition the night before your tour, then again quickly right before you leave the house.
Check its frame, tires, and brakes for anything out of place. Refill the tires with air before heading out and ensure the chain moves smoothly. If it doesn’t, you can oil the chain. It’s also a good idea to bring some tools with you if you need to make repairs while on tour. You should look over the bike for wear and tear too.
Many e-bikes come with a luggage rack for storage. You’ll want to check that it can support the weight of any bags you bring. Then, do your best to balance the weight of your supplies evenly around the frame.
Overall, you should never leave for a tour without giving your bike a quick look over. You wouldn’t want to get to the start of your tour and realize you need to make some repairs before you can even begin.
What Maintenance Do E-Bikes Need Before Tours?
If you ride it often, you’ll want to perform regular maintenance every few months on your e-bike. It’s also good to get it tuned up before going on a long-distance tour. You wouldn’t want something to go wrong in the middle of nowhere.
E-bikes need you to inspect the brakes, especially before a long tour. Here’s how to do that:
- Flip the e-bike over, and make sure the battery is off.
- Spin the wheels, then hit the brakes to test if they stop.
- You’ll need to adjust the brakes if the brake pad rubs the rotor constantly or if the handle brake touches the handlebar when you squeeze it.
- You can tighten or loosen the cable tension to adjust the brakes.
3. Know the Ins and Outs of Your E-Bike
Next, you must understand your bike well before you take it on a long-distance tour. Experts recommend that you train using the bicycle you plan to take for at least three months. During that time, you’ll learn the ins and outs of riding your e-bike and build stamina for the tour.
There are three different e-bikes, and you’ll want to know what kind you’re riding. These include types 1, 2, and 3. Let’s break down these different types in more detail.
- Type 1: Offers pedal-assist features. The motor can help you pedal, so you don’t get tired as quickly. Most e-bikes can use pedal assist until you reach a set speed.
- Type 2: Offers pedal-assist and throttle features. The throttle helps you until you reach a certain speed, then the pedal assist kicks in.
- Type 3: Offers pedal-assist features like Type 1 e-bikes but offers assistance until you reach a much higher speed.
For most long-distance tours, you’ll want to choose Type 1 or 2 e-bikes. Type 3 e-bikes have more limitations on where you’re allowed to ride them. For instance, most Type 3 e-bikes are only allowed on highways and roads since they’re much faster than Type 1 and 2 e-bikes.
It’s worth mentioning that an e-bike for women has a slightly different frame shape than an e-bike for men. However, both are still perfect for taking long-distance, and you won’t notice much difference between them when riding.
Knowing what Type (or class) of e-bike you’ll ride during the tour can help you understand how much you’ll need to pedal. It can also help maintain and get the most out of a fully charged battery.
4. Clean Your E-Bike
It’s also a good idea to clean your e-bike before and after a long-distance tour. Dirt and grime can get stuck in the nooks and crannies of your bike, which can add to its wear and tear. So, if you want it to last as long as possible, you’ll need to clean it frequently.
Use a brush and water to remove dried mud from the tires and rims on the e-bike. Then, scrub the pedals with water too. You want to avoid getting water on the battery and any other electrical parts.
Next, use a slightly damp rag to wipe down the frame of your e-bike without getting the seat post wet. Wipe the e-bike’s frame with a dry towel. Lastly, you must lube the bike chain, or it will rust.
If you’ve just brought your bike in from the rain, you’ll want to wait for the mud on it to dry. It’s a lot easier to clean dry dirt off of an e-bike than it is to clean mud. However, you can use a dry rag to wipe up some of the mud if you want to.
Taking care of your bike before and after a long-distance trip will help it have a longer lifespan.
Always Inspect Your Bike Before a Tour!
Never leave for a long-distance tour without inspecting your e-bike. Long travel times can strain the e-bike, which could cause complications if it’s not in good shape. If you’re not sure what to do, you can always bring it to a bike shop for a tune-up.
