Electric bike maintenance...

**degrom** · 13th January 2007, 22:29

What kind of maintenance would you have on an electric bike?

I don't think they would need oil changes...

Suspension will have it's normal maintenance after a few years or so.

What about the electric motor,will it need a lot of maintenance?

**bobsmith** · 14th January 2007, 07:53

It would depend on what kind of motor it has?

I would think brushless motor wouldn't need any maintanence while brushed motor would need the brush changed once in a while... not often though.

**Smokin** · 14th January 2007, 07:56

The extension cord would need regular inspection.

**degrom** · 14th January 2007, 08:02

Originally Posted by Smokin

The extension cord would need regular inspection.

LOL... Lets say it uses proper batteries. Batteries will also be on the check list...

But if there are no real maintenance on a electric bike. What are the bike shops going to do if there is not work for them?

**Dodgyiti** · 14th January 2007, 09:44

The Vetrex (or is it Vetrix?) scooter claims maintenance free with battery replacement at around 4 years.

**Coyote** · 14th January 2007, 10:10

Might have to change transmission fluid if it was 2-3 speed with a clutch

**degrom** · 14th January 2007, 10:36

Originally Posted by Coyote

Might have to change transmission fluid if it was 2-3 speed with a clutch

Yes... Some of them only have one gear because the torque is from start to stop... Not like a normal motor

**Coyote** · 14th January 2007, 10:56

Originally Posted by degrom

Yes... Some of them only have one gear because the torque is from start to stop... Not like a normal motor

But a good Electric bike would have a clutch that you could drop for fast starts on one wheel, and they would have a low gear and a high/overdrive gear to get the most out of the motor

**davereid** · 14th January 2007, 11:05

I had a fella bring one into the shop for me to look at. Still plenty of things to maintain - tyres, brakes, bearings, etc etc. It had a brushless DC motor and a 48 volt DC battery bank. Batteries were sealed so you couldn't do anything on them. Brushless motor seemed like a good idea in theory, but I'd prefer a traditional DC motor. Thats because brushes are cheap and easy to deal with. A brushless DC motor is actually an AC motor, with expensive and un-repairable electronics doing a DC to AC conversion. Just sounded suss to me ! Had no transmission - motor was built into rear hub.

**degrom** · 14th January 2007, 12:31

Originally Posted by davereid

I had a fella bring one into the shop for me to look at. Still plenty of things to maintain - tyres, brakes, bearings, etc etc. It had a brushless DC motor and a 48 volt DC battery bank. Batteries were sealed so you couldn't do anything on them. Brushless motor seemed like a good idea in theory, but I'd prefer a traditional DC motor. Thats because brushes are cheap and easy to deal with. A brushless DC motor is actually an AC motor, with expensive and un-repairable electronics doing a DC to AC conversion. Just sounded suss to me ! Had no transmission - motor was built into rear hub.

Yes... I have seen those scooters. Isn't the AC motor's smaller or stronger?