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Taking your ebike in for service is a natural part of the ownership experience.
Over the course of hundreds and thousands of Rad miles (and a whole lot of fun!), brake pads get thinner, chain lubricant washes away, and tire tread breaks down.
But while wear and tear is a guarantee, occasionally turning to a trusted professional can keep you riding Rad for years.
Just how often should you be heading in for maintenance?
As a rule, we recommend a basic tune-up at least every six months or 750-1,250 miles, but keeping an eye on how, where, and when you ride can help you develop a more personalized routine.
If you're scheduling a basic diagnostic or check-up and are experience minor issues that have just started to show up, these can (mostly) be solved on the spot. For tune-ups at a reputable bike shop, you can expect services that will cover your brakes, derailleurs, chain, wheels, rims, hubs, spokes, and tires. This sometimes might require leaving your ebike overnight.
Most providers will also offer overhauls, which generally include the same items as a tune-up, but will likely include replacing parts.
We'll look at what sort of service interval might be realistic for a range of riders, but your results may vary based on how you store your ebike, the climate in your region, and your personal riding style.
As always, make sure you're following the pre-ride safety checklist in the most current edition of your manual.
The Commuter
City rides are full of hard, sudden stops. By observing a steady maintenance schedule, you can make sure your brakes will always operate to the best of their abilities.
You live to ride and ride to live. Every day begins in the bike lane and ends with a headlight guiding your path.
You use pedal assist pretty often, carry a lot of weight, and take on big hills, even in the snow, salt, and mud. Since you're working your parts harder, they’ll wear faster, which means they'll likely need a little more TLC.
How often you ride: Every day.
Miles: 15-20.
Terrain: Large hills, city traffic.
Cargo: Passengers, groceries, odds and ends.
Service Intervals
| Miles | Service |
| Every 300 | Check-Up / Minor Service |
| Every 500 | Tune-Up / Basic Service |
| Every 1,000 | Overhaul |
The Weekend Warrior
Dirt and grit can wear down your chain. They’re cheap and easy to replace, and if you catch it early enough in the process you'll be able to extend the life of the rest of your bike dramatically.
You don't take your ebike out daily, but when you use it, you really use it. After all, it's the weekend.
You're relying on a moderate amount of pedal assist and carrying some cargo. You’re not stopped by rain or dirt but may opt to skip your ride when it gets particularly nasty outside.
How often you ride: Several times a week.
Miles: 10-15.
Terrain: Some hills, nature.
Cargo: Gear, extra clothes, lunch.
Service Intervals
| Miles | Service |
| Every 300 | Check-Up / Minor Service |
| Every 500 | Tune-Up / Basic Service |
| Every 1,200 | Overhaul |
The Casual Rider
If you ride on generally flat ground, then your brakes will require service less frequently than a rider blasting down massive hills on a daily basis.
When it's nice out, your ebike's out. What better way to get some fresh air than a nice day trip?
You're using a good amount of pedal assist and not carrying a lot of cargo. You're also riding in nice conditions in a dry area, which means your mechanical systems aren’t taking as much punishment.
How often you ride: The occasional outing.
Miles: 5-10.
Terrain: Flat terrain, paved trails.
Cargo: Just keys and a phone.
Service Intervals
| Miles | Service |
| Every 500 | Check-Up / Minor Service |
| Every 750 | Tune-Up / Basic Service |
| Every 1,500 | Overhaul |
Remember: Service schedules can be helpful, but they’re no replacement for keeping a watchful eye on your ebike’s performance.
Your electric bike is a harmonious system of components, so when you take care of the little issues as soon as they pop up, you’ll cut down on the amount of professional service you’ll need to handle the bigger ones.
- Your brakes are squealing or not stopping as well as they used to.
- You gears don't shift crisply.
- There's excessive noise when pedaling.
- Your tires are cracked or visible damaged.
- Your chain is getting dirty or rusty.
Need service near you? Check out the available options available through Rad Power Bikes and our authorized partners.
