Wash an e-bike safely

Washing an e-bike is easy, but water in the wrong place can harm bearings, connectors and the motor. The rules are simple: low pressure, battery out, and dry it well. This guide follows Bosch's e-bike care advice, Bosch's drive unit manual and Rad Power Bikes' owner's manual.

What you need

• A bucket of water with a mild bike wash or gentle soap. Bosch says bike shampoo works, or a dish soap solution that isn't aggressive or strongly degreasing (Bosch).
• A soft sponge and cleaning brushes
• Bike degreaser for the chain only
• Clean, dry rags
• Chain lube for afterward

Steps

1. Turn the bike off and take the battery out. Bosch says to remove the battery and the display if you can, and to cover a display or remote that can't come off with a cloth or film (Bosch). Rad's manual says to turn the bike and battery off before cleaning (Rad RadWagon 5 manual).
2. Keep the battery contacts dry. Store the battery somewhere dry while you wash. Bosch says to keep the battery mount and plug area clean so water can drain and the contacts can dry (Bosch).
3. Rinse gently. Use a low pressure hose, a watering can or just a wet sponge. Bosch rules out pressure washers and steam cleaners for e-bike parts (Bosch). Its drive unit manual says not to submerge parts or wash with a pressurized hose (Bosch). Rad says never use high pressure water and never submerge the bike or its parts (Rad RadWagon 5 manual).
4. Wash from the top down. Sponge the frame, bars and saddle with soapy water. Use a brush on the tires and fenders. Go gently around the display, the motor, cable ports and any connectors.
5. Clean the chain separately. Use degreaser on the chain and cogs only, and keep it off the brake rotors and pads. Follow clean and lube a chain for the full method.
6. Rinse lightly. Wipe or trickle off the soap. Don't aim water at bearings, the motor, the display or the charge port.
7. Dry it well. Wipe the frame with a clean, dry cloth, as Rad suggests (Rad RadWagon 5 manual). Let the bike air dry fully before you put the battery back, especially around the battery mount.
8. Lube the chain. Once the chain is dry, lube it. Bosch says to apply lube where the chain runs freely, keep it off the brake discs and sprockets, and wipe off the extra (Bosch). After rain, Rad suggests an anti-rust treatment on the chain and other bare steel parts (Rad RadWagon 5 manual).
9. Check it works. Bosch says to check afterward that the battery is properly locked in, the drive works and the system responds to the buttons (Bosch).

Common mistakes

• Using a pressure washer or a car wash wand.
• Leaving the battery on the bike, or charging it while the port or contacts are still wet.
• Spraying degreaser near the brakes. Contaminated pads squeal and lose power. See e-bike brakes.
• Forgetting to lube the chain after washing.

How often

Bosch says to clean the bike after every ride if you can, and to put rust prevention first after riding near salt water (Bosch). Rad's manual has a damp cloth wipe down in its weekly schedule (Rad RadWagon 5 manual).

Videos

When to get a pro

• Water got inside the display, motor or battery, or the bike shows an error after washing.
• Bearings feel gritty after a wash. See check wheel bearings.
• More: when to call a pro.

Sources

• Care of eBikes, Bosch eBike Systems
• Drive unit manual, Bosch eBike Systems
• RadWagon 5 owner's manual, Rad Power Bikes

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