Maintenance

Bike Maintenance Guide

Keep Your Mountain Bike & E-bike Running Like New

Regular maintenance is the key to getting the most out of your mountain bike or e-bike. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to tackle advanced repairs, our step-by-step guides will help you keep your bike in peak condition while saving money on visits to the shop.

Quick Start Maintenance

Perfect for beginners who want to start maintaining their bikes today

New to bike maintenance? These essential guides will get you started with the basics every rider needs to know.

Essential Beginner Guides:

• Mountain Bike Maintenance for Beginners – Your complete starter guide • How to Lubricate Your Mountain Bike – Essential skill every rider needs

💡 Quick Tip: Start with basic cleaning and lubrication. Most basic maintenance takes just 15-30 minutes and can extend your bike’s life by years.

Common Repairs & Fixes

Fix the most frequent issues that every mountain biker and e-bike rider encounters

Don’t let common problems stop your ride. These step-by-step repair guides will help you get back on the trail quickly.

Essential Repair Guides:

• How to Fix a Bike Pedal That Fell Off – Emergency roadside repair • How to Raise the Handlebars on a Mountain Bike – Improve your riding position
• How to Change Shifters on Road Bikes – Advanced repair technique

Essential Maintenance Tools:

  • Multi-tool with hex keys
  • Chain lubricant
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Basic cleaning supplies
  • Torque wrench (for serious maintenance)

E-bike Specific Maintenance

Specialized care for your electric bike’s unique components

E-bikes require special attention to keep their electrical systems running smoothly and maximize battery life.

E-bike Maintenance Articles:

• How Long Do E-bike Batteries Last – Maximize battery life and performance • How to Make an E-bike Go Faster – Legal performance optimization • How Does an E-bike Work – Understanding your e-bike’s systems

⚡ E-bike Pro Tip: Proper battery care can extend your e-bike’s range by 20-30% and add years to its lifespan. Never let your battery fully discharge, and store it at 50-70% charge during the off-season.

Seasonal Maintenance Calendar

Spring Preparation (March-May)

  • Deep clean and inspect the frame for winter damage
  • Check brake pads and cables for wear
  • Tune derailleur and test all shifters
  • Inspect tires and replace if needed
  • Charge e-bike batteries fully

Summer Maintenance (June-August)

  • Regular chain cleaning and lubrication
  • Check tire pressure weekly in hot weather
  • Monitor brake performance on long rides
  • Keep e-bike batteries cool and charged
  • Inspect suspension components

Fall Preparation (September-November)

  • Prepare for wet-weather riding conditions
  • Check all lighting systems and batteries
  • Inspect drivetrain for wear from summer riding
  • Plan any major repairs for winter
  • Clean and protect the frame from moisture

Winter Storage (December-February)

  • Set up proper indoor bike storage
  • E-bike battery storage and care routine
  • Plan and research upcoming repairs
  • Clean and service tools
  • Research new gear and upgrades

When to DIY vs When to Go Pro

Perfect for DIY Maintenance:

✅ Basic cleaning and lubrication ✅ Tire pressure checks and inflation
✅ Simple adjustments (seat height, handlebar position) ✅ Chain cleaning and replacement ✅ Brake pad inspection and replacement

Leave to the Professionals:

🛠️ Hydraulic brake bleeding 🛠️ Suspension service and rebuilds 🛠️ E-bike motor repairs 🛠️ Frame damage or cracks 🛠️ Wheel building and truing 🛠️ Complex electrical issues

Finding Quality Service:

  • Research local bike shops and read reviews
  • Ask about experience with your bike type
  • Get quotes for major services
  • Build relationships with trusted mechanics

Essential Maintenance Schedule

After Every Ride:

  • Quick visual inspection
  • Clean off mud and debris
  • Check for any obvious damage

Weekly:

  • Check tire pressure
  • Clean and lubricate the chain
  • Test brakes and shifters
  • Charge the e-bike battery

Monthly:

  • Deep clean the entire bike
  • Inspect brake pads
  • Check bolt tightness
  • Clean and inspect drivetrain

Seasonally:

  • Professional tune-up
  • Replace worn components
  • Deep maintenance on suspension
  • E-bike system diagnostics

Start Your Maintenance Journey

Ready to keep your bike running like new? Whether you’re maintaining a mountain bike or an e-bike, regular care will save you money and extend your bike’s life.

New to maintenance? Start with our Mountain Bike Maintenance for Beginners guide.

Have an e-bike? Check out our guide on How Long E-bike Batteries Last to maximize your investment.

Need a quick fix? Our ‘How to Fix a Bike Pedal That Fell Off’ guide will get you back on the trail quickly.

Browse all our maintenance guides above, or use our site search to find exactly what you need!