Safe riding practices are important to us all. And safety begins with the pre-ride check of your eBike
A is for Air
The tubes inside your tyres will lose air over time. This doesn’t mean anything is wrong, but knowing this, consider checking your tyre pressure every time your ride your eBike, or at least on a regular basis. A reliable pump with a pressure gauge is a good investment. MeloYelo bikes are fitted with Schraeder valves, the same type as are used on cars, so the tyres can easily be inflated at the “free air” hose at a service station, if you prefer not to pump.
You can see the manufacturer-recommended pressure range (e.g. 35-65 psi) printed on the side of your tyre. The tyre pressure that is best for you will depend on the weight of you and your bike, plus the types of surfaces you will be riding on. A lower tyre pressure will give you more grip off-road, where with a higher pressure you are less likely to get a flat. We recommend you start with a tyre pressure of 40 psi, and experiment with changing to slightly more pressure and slightly less pressure to see how your bike feels. Note: you should have 3-5 psi more in your back tyre as it carries more weight.
Take this opportunity to check your tyres and make sure you have a good amount of tread and there are no bare threads or cracked rubber and that your wheels are firmly fastened to your eBike.
B is for Brakes
Brakes are the most important part of your eBike. If they have been looked after your brakes will help you control your speed while riding and will bring you to an abrupt halt in an emergency.
To test your brakes, stand besides your eBike and try to push it forward while applying the front brake and then backwards while applying the back brake. They should stop the wheels from moving. The brake levers should also stop short of hitting your grips when pulled firmly.
Also make sure your brake rotors are clean and free from any dirt and grime. Oil on the rotors will also stop them from working correctly.
C is for Chain
Your chain is the central part of your eBike’s “drivetrain” and is what makes you move forward as you pedal. Your chain, chainring (the sprocket connected to your pedals) and cassette (the sprockets at the back) should all be clean and have no visible signs of wear.
Your chain needs only a light amount of lubrication to work efficiently. Apply your chain lube to the bottom links while winding the pedals backwards along the whole length of the chain. Continue pedalling backwards another half a dozen times so the chain lube can work its way into the links, then wipe off all excess with a clean rag. You chain should look clean and shiny with only a light feel of oil to the touch. A well maintained chain will see you bike perform better and ride quietly.
While you are there tilt your eBike away from you on the stand, so the back wheel is just off the ground. Start pedalling forward and change up and down through your gears to make sure everything is working.
With mid-drive eBikes, you cannot move the chain by pedalling backwards due to the ratchet at the pedal cranks. If you choose to hold the back wheel off the ground while pedalling forwards, remember to turn the eBike off… you don’t want the motor to start up while doing this.
For those of you who would like to give your bike a more thorough check, look over your eBike for signs of wear, things like broken spokes, loose pedals or cranks. Some people will lift the bike up a couple inches off the ground and drop it, to see if there are any rattles from loose screws or bolts which can be tightened. Take the bike for a short ride and listen for any rubbing or clicking noises that could indicate a problem. If something is grinding, stop.
If you think something isn’t right, call your MeloYelo agent right away. Remember, eBikes are vehicles, not toys. An eBike shouldn’t be ridden if something is wrong.
Stay safe out there! Have fun and happy riding!
