Electric bicycle and chain maintenance yourself: how does that work and what about sprockets?
It is almost impossible to imagine the Dutch street scene without the electric bicycle. On average, we pedal together about 1.3 billion kilometers on an e-bike in the Netherlands. Recreational bike rides are especially popular.
It is said that an electric bicycle requires more maintenance than a normal bicycle. It is recommended to give a service at least 1 to 2 times a year. This is due to the more sensitive parts in an electric bicycle. Think of the motor, the electronics, the battery and the gears.
In this article you can read more about the gears on an electric bicycle and how you can best maintain it yourself.
Contents
How do gears work on an electric bicycle?
The chain is an important part of most normal and also electric bicycles. The condition of the chain determines the degree of cycling pleasure and comfort during your bike ride. A worn chain will show itself clearly and will make cycling less pleasant. Yet you can’t do anything about a chain: all chains wear out. This means that there is space in the pivot points of the links. This ensures that the chain becomes longer and falls less well in the teeth of the sprockets.
Gears can be found in all kinds of means of transport, such as cars, bicycles, but clocks, watches and can openers also have gears. The gears on a bicycle transfer energy through the gears or pass on movement. When one gear starts to rotate, the other gear will also turn by itself. The number of teeth used determines the gear you are cycling in. Thanks to the pedals, the rear wheel is set in motion and thanks to the gears you can decide for yourself how the wheel should turn.
What about an automatic transmission and gears?
There are electric bicycles on the market with automatic gears. Are you going up a mountain or slope? Then the resistance is automatically reduced. If you cycle down a mountain, your bike automatically shifts to a higher gear. When you’re stationary, the automatic gear goes back immediately. This way you can easily get moving again from a standstill!
How do I maintain my chain and sprockets myself?
A chain should be cleaned regularly, both with a normal and an electric bicycle. If you opt for an electric bicycle with a closed chain guard – as with the Cortina E-U1 N3 2022 – you have less chance of getting dirty. Less dirt ensures that your chain gets dirty less quickly and ultimately less maintenance is required.
Are you going to maintain your chain and sprockets yourself? There are several ways to do this. For example, you can keep the chain clean with lukewarm water and a brush or with a special chain cleaner. It is important to lubricate the chain well after cleaning.
Would you like to know more about maintaining and replacing your battery? Then read more in this article.
When is my chain worn?
It is not clear to indicate when your chain is really worn. Several factors contribute to the wear and tear of your chain. This is different for every bike. Some easily drive seven thousand kilometers on one chain, others only a thousand.
Do my sprockets need to be replaced immediately when I replace the chain?
If you are going to replace your chain, in most cases all you need to do is replace the rear sprockets. The chain mainly wears on the rear sprockets. This can already happen after about 500 kilometers. At the front there is a larger diameter, which ensures better distribution over the sprockets. Having a new chain and sprockets fitted costs about 100 euros on average!
Do you want to buy an electric bicycle yourself? Then take a look at the possibilities of leasing an electric bicycle.
Would you like to experience what it is like to cycle on an electric bicycle or are you considering purchasing an electric bicycle? Make an appointment without obligation and completely free of charge for a test drive at one of the physical stores of Fietsvoordeelshop.nl, in your area!
