Keeping your bike and your drivetrain clean is the number one way to extend the longevity of the parts and ensure everything remains in working order. And if you have an electric bike, learning how to wash it properly will pay dividends both in ride quality and material durability.
There are just a few extra concerns to keep in mind when you are learning how to wash an electric bike. Most importantly, be certain to take off the battery and remove any electronics that are possible. Different e-bike manufacturers may have specific guidelines for how to wash their e-bikes. Be sure to follow their instructions. Some may even suggest you can keep the battery in position. After all, every e-bike on the market should be able to handle a certain amount of contact with water since you could frequently find yourself riding through rain storms or snowmelt runoff.
But as a general rule of thumb, we would suggest always removing the battery and computer display from your e-bike before washing.
What cleaning tools to use
Whatever you use to clean your non-e-bike will work well when cleaning an e-bike. You’ll want to have a soft sponger, a brush with medium stiff bristles, a bucket of water, and a mild soap or bike-specific washing solution. Several clean, dry towels will be useful as well.
When you clean the drivetrain, you will need the exact same tools that you use when cleaning your non-electric bike drivetrain, in particular, a stiff brush to scrub the chain and pulleys, a clean towel to wipe it, a degreaser, and fresh lube. Be sure to check out our guide for How to clean a bike chain if you feel a little refresher course might help.
Where to start cleaning an electric bike
Once you have removed the battery and electronic bits, or protected the computer display if it is not removable, then it’s time to start washing the frame down using the soapy sponge and water bucket. If you have been riding in the rain, or you are cleaning an e-mountain bike that has been picking up a bunch of mountain trail gunk, you might need to employ the brush with not too harsh bristles to scrub off difficult grime.
You’ve probably seen images of pro team mechanics precision-spraying the team bikes with a high pressure hose. DO NOT DO THIS, even if you have one. In fact, when you spray your bike too vigorously, you could be damaging it more than cleaning it since you could damage the bearings and wash away important grease from hard to reach parts. If you use a hose at all to rinse off the soapy cleaner, just run it at the lowest pressure possible that will still effectively rinse.
Most manufacturers will advise you not to set your e-bike upside down when cleaning it. That’s to prevent water from pooling in the battery and motor area. The frames are designed with mini holes to shed water while being ridden. These evacuation points will serve the same purpose while you are washing it. Instead, put your e-bike in a bike stand if you have one, or simply just lean it carefully against a wall.
Once you have washed the frame, making sure to get hard to reach spots like under the bottom bracket and on the inside of the rear triangle, you should also wash down the wheels, spokes, rims and hubs. If your e-bike has a rear hub motor, but certain to wipe it down carefully, taking care not to leave any soapy film or moisture behind.
How to clean the drivetrain of an e-bike
The good news is that you do this exactly the same way you’d clean a non-e-bike. Start by degreasing the chain, cassette, chainrings, and pulleys. Choose a high quality, bike specific degreaser to ensure that all these important moving parts avoid any type of corrosion or degradation due to harsh chemicals.
When you are applying the degreaser, take extra precaution not to get any residue on the braking system, whether it’s the disc rotor or brake calipers if you have removed the wheels. Let the degreaser sit for several minutes on the different parts of the drivetrain to give it a chance to soak into nooks and crannies and start to breakdown the grime.
Wipe the residue degreaser off and then apply the lube to the chain, making sure you wipe away any excess lube afterwards.
Remember, you can check out our blog on how to clean your chain to get a step-by-step guide for drivetrain upkeep.
Final steps to cleaning an e-bike
Once you have finished taking care of the drivetrain, revisit all parts of the frame and wipe them down with a soft, dry, clean cloth. Take extra care when wiping out the frame cutout for the battery as well as any other area where the motor is housed, and the electronic controls sit or attach.
It is very important to be certain that the e-bike is completely dry before you replace the battery and other electric bits.
Conclusion – it is important to keep your e-bike clean
Whether you are using your e-bike as a means of transportation in the city or exploration in the mountains, keeping the bike and all its parts well cleaned and properly lubed will enhance every ride and extend the longevity of the bike. In dry dusty conditions, wiping it down once a week will likely be sufficient, but be certain to care for the drivetrain at least once a month and much more often if you are regularly facing wet or muddy ride conditions.
And if you do come home from a ride covered in mud and grime, but certain to clean the bike immediately since it will be much harder to clean thoroughly once everything has dried and settled into place.
Remember, a clean bike is a happy bike and you’ll be a happy rider as a result.
Be sure to also check our article on how to replace a bike chain.
