Pedego e-bike troubleshooting: power, battery sleep, charging, recalls and service

This page covers common problems on Pedego e-bikes, including the Interceptor, City Commuter, Boomerang, Ridge Rider, Trail Tracker, Stretch, Element, Avenue, Moto, Cargo and Fat Tire Trike. Pedego documents its bikes in its own master owner's manual and supports them through its dealer network, so that manual and your dealer are the main references. The Pedego pages we checked don't name an outside drive system maker, so there is no separate system page to follow.

Before you start

• Download Pedego's master owner's manual. It covers every current model.
• Find your model name on the chain guard or chainstay (Pedego cable recall page).
• Check the recalls section below before you ride.

Common problems and what to check

Bike won't turn on

Pedego's manual gives different power steps by model (Pedego manual):

• Most models: push the battery fully in, then flip the battery switch to | for on. O is off. The key only releases the battery, which locks itself when fully inserted, so the key doesn't need to stay in.
• Ridge Rider and Trail Tracker: press the silver button on top of the battery. It lights green when on. Hold it 3 seconds to turn off.
• Element, Avenue and Cargo: press the power button on the LCD. Hold it 2 seconds to power down.
• Moto: hold the power button for 1 second to turn the battery on or off.
• More help: e-bike won't turn on.

Battery seems dead after sitting

Pedego batteries go to sleep after 40 minutes with no charging, no riding or no communication. Wake one by switching the battery off and on, or by connecting the charger. A very low battery left idle can go into a deeper sleep. Pedego says to wake that by connecting the charger or holding the battery's charge level button for 10 seconds (Pedego manual). The videos below show both.

Battery won't charge

• Use only the charger that came with the bike, and don't charge if the charger or cord is damaged.
• Read the charger light. Pedego lists green for standby, red while charging, green when full, and flashing red for protection mode. A full charge from empty takes around 4 to 5 hours.
• Check the temperature. The manual lists 10 to 40°C (50 to 104°F) for charging most models, with some models listed at 0 to 40°C, so check the page for your model.
• For storage, Pedego says to keep the battery in a cool, dry place at 50 to 80 percent charge, recharge it now and then, and never store it empty. It also suggests recharging to at least 50 percent after every ride (Pedego manual).

Assist cuts out or surges

• Pedego's brake levers have a switch that cuts motor power when you brake, so make sure neither lever is being held when assist won't engage (Pedego manual).
• If the bike speeds up on its own, stop riding and check the cable recall below.
• See motor cuts out and no pedal assist.

Error code on the display

The parts of Pedego's manual we read don't list display error codes, so ask your Pedego dealer about any code, and see e-bike error codes for general background.

Brakes and tires

• Use the pressure printed on your tire's sidewall. Pedego notes ranges differ a lot by model.
• Pedego says to apply the rear brake before or with the front, expect longer stopping in the wet, and remember disc rotors get hot (Pedego manual).
• See e-bike brakes and flat tire.

Recalls

• Cable recall: Interceptor, City Commuter, Boomerang Plus, Ridge Rider, Trail Tracker and Stretch bikes sold between January 2018 and August 2020. A worn cable connection can cause brief unexpected acceleration. Check the connector near the handlebars: an eight sided, tapered connector labeled YLS is the fixed type, while a round connector labeled JULET or with numbers and arrows is the recalled type. Stop riding and register for a free replacement cable fitted by a Pedego dealer (Pedego cable recall).
• Fat Tire Trike, model BK530001BK, serial numbers D2312050001 to D2312050522: the frame can crack near a weld. Stop riding, register on Pedego's recall page, and a Pedego dealer fits a strengthened frame part at no charge (Pedego trike recall).

All Pedego recalls are listed on its product recalls page.

Service and warranty

• Pedego wants a mechanic check after the first 100 miles (161 km), including spoke tensioning on both wheels, plus monthly drivetrain cleaning and bolt and brake checks, and a yearly dealer tune up (Pedego manual).
• Warranty cover needs proof of purchase, registration within 30 days, the 100 mile tune up and annual service at an authorized dealer. Frame and parts are covered for 5 years or 5,000 miles, with shipping and labor in year one only. Batteries have a prorated schedule and must hold at least 70 percent of original capacity to qualify, and shorter range alone isn't enough (Pedego warranty).
• In the US, start with the dealer that sold you the bike. Use Pedego's dealer finder if you've moved.

Videos

Official help

• Master owner's manual
• Warranty
• Product recalls
• Find a dealer
• Pedego Ride app download

When to get a pro

• The 100 mile tune up and yearly service, which the warranty depends on.
• A battery in protection mode, a battery that won't wake, or any battery damage.
• Any unexpected acceleration, display error code or wiring fault.
• Recall repairs, spoke tensioning and brake bleeds.

Sources

• Master owner's manual, Pedego
• Warranty, Pedego
• Product recalls, Pedego
• Cable recall, Pedego
• Fat Tire Trike recall, Pedego
• Pedego Ride app, Pedego

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.