Your electric bike wheel plays a vital role in the functionality of your ebike. You could refer to it as the most important part of your ebike. This is because your ebike wheel is the link between the road and your ebike.
The quality of your ride is dependent on the state of your wheel. Due to this, you want to ensure you take care of it well and get a replacement when necessary.
How long do electric bike wheels last on average, and what factors affect their lifespan?
The life span of electric bike wheels is not generic. While some might last a couple of years, others could span a few months. The varied lifespan of electric bike wheels is as a result of the different usage patterns by different ebike owners.
Factors like terrain, tire type, bike model, and frequency of use could affect the life expectancy of your electric bike wheel. With repeated use, electric bike wheels wear out faster than wheels that are hardly in use.
Furthermore, using an ebike for a terrain it is naturally not designed to handle will deplete its life expectancy. For example, using a city bike for mountain or desert trips will ultimately reduce the lifespan of your electric bike wheel.
You could reduce the lifespan of your electric bike wheel by frequent application of the brake. When brakes are applied, it applies pressure on the rims, which gradually causes the wheel’s surface to wear out.
On average, electric bikes cover 1500 miles to 12000 miles before getting damaged. However, this estimate is not static; you could increase or reduce it by how well you manage your electric bike wheel.
What are some signs that your electric bike wheels might need to be replaced soon?
Like most automobile parts, there are notable signs that indicate the need to replace your electric bike wheels. Two indicators show it is time to change your electric bike wheel. The first is referred to as “groove” while the other is called “hole”.
The groove is aa wear indicator applied across the entire circumference of the tire rim. Usually, it is is right at the centre of the braking surface. Over time, the groove gets shallow and begins to fade out with use. When you can no longer see the groove, it is time to change your electric bike wheel.
Some other manufacturers place a small hole at the sidewall of the tire wheels. The hole’s disappearance is a credible indicator of the need to change your electric bike wheel. Another way to know if it is time to change your ebike wheel is the cupping of braking surface.
Brand new electric bike wheels have flat surfaces. With prolonged use, the surface begins to curve in a concave shape. Sometimes, the change in the surface may not be visible to the eye. Hence, there may be a need to use a flat surface to evaluate how much curve you have.
Unlike aluminium wheels, it will require more effort to know when your carbon wheel needs replacement. The brake track of carbon electric bike wheels are layered with a special layer of material. This material helps improve the braking performance and prevent heat build up. The moment the top layer of the brake pad becomes exposed, that is a sign that it’s time to change your wheels.
How much does it cost to replace electric bike wheels, and where can you go to get them replace
Electric bike wheels have varying prices. These prices are informed by the size of the wheel, manufacturer and type of wheel you are buying. The price of these wheels could vary from as little as $150 to over $2000. The variance in prices of these wheels is often a reflection of their durability.
Durable electric bike wheels are more expensive than regular wheels. However, you can be assured that with proper maintenance, such wheels would last for years and sometimes decades. Additionally, durable wheels give you more stability than regular wheels hence, giving you an amazing ride experience.
The material with which an electric bike wheel is made could also influence its cost. Electric bike wheels made from Materials like carbon fiber, ceramic and titanium spokes are often more expensive than aluminium and steel wheels.
You could change your ebike wheel by reaching out to trusted ebike manufacturers. Better still, you could purchase from trusted online stores like Amazon.
Are there any DIY methods for replacing electric bike wheels if you're comfortable doing it yourself or don't have the money to pay for a professional replacement?
Replacing your old wheel with a new one is something you could easily do yourself without the help of a professional. In 6 simple steps, we would show you how.
1. Shift To The Highest Gear
Before starting the wheel removal process, it is essential to move your bike to the highest gear. Doing so will move the chain to the smallest physical gear on the free wheel.
2. Remove The Retainer Bolt
Flip your bike over or place it on a bike stand so that you can easily access the tires. Afterward, look to the rotor side of the bike and find the retainer bolt. Once found, loosen it with an allen wrench or fender wire. Ensure to keep it in a safe place after loosing.
3. Remove The Rear Derailleur Guard
At the other side of the bike, you would be facing the chain and derailleur guard. Crosscheck to be sure you are on the highest gear. Once you are certain, look out for the two bolts holding the derailleur guard. Remove both and keep them safely.
4. Unplug The Motor Cable and Remove The Axle Nuts
Look out for the Zip tie holding your motor cable in place. Afterward, remove the motor cable hub from the wheel axle. Ensure your cables are properly packed upto avoid them getting damaged. Once this is done, loosen the axle nut using open-end wrenches.
5. Remove The Wheel
Now that the nuts are out of the way, press the cage of the derailleur forward towards the bike frame. Simultaneously, use the other hand to carefully remove the wheel from the frame.
6. Replace The Wheels With New Ones
To install the new wheels, carefully guide the wheel into the frame. Simultaneously tuck the motor cable and wheel axle in through the center of the chain loop. Afterward, lift the rear derailleur and hook the chain into the freewheel.
Before locking the nuts, ensure that the rotor and anti-turn washers are in the right position. Once the mechanisms are in place, replace the axle nuts and the retainer bolts. Once these two are in place, finish up by replacing the retainer bolts and the motor cable.
What are some tips for taking care of your electric bike wheels so they last as long as possible?
Proper maintenance is essential in elongating the lifespan of your electric bike wheel. With the tips in this segment, you would learn how to elongate the lifespan of your ebike wheel.
1. Choose Wheels That Suit Your Lifestyle
You would be setting yourself up for constant wheel replacement if your choice of wheel does not match your lifestyle. If you frequent mountains and rough terrains, it is important for you to choose strong wheels. Riding on wheels designed for smooth terrains would be too much pressure for these wheels. Hence, causing them to wear out in no time. The implication of repeated occurrence of such would be that you would spend more in the long run.
2. Only Use Brake Pads That Are Compatible With Your Electric Bike Wheel
Choosing a wrong brake pad would lead to high braking temperatures. This will cause premature wear of your wheels and could even lead to a brake failure. You do not want to experience a brake failure when you are almost running into a rock. As such, it is advisable only to use compatible brake pads.
3. Clean Your Wheels Regularly
Your electric bike wheels should be handled with as much care as you give to your bike. During your regular bike cleaning, ensure to pay attention to the wheels and remove stuck debris. Excessive piles of debris under the wheels would lead to wear of the wheel surface. Hence the need to constantly remove them.
4. Change Your Brake Pads When Due
It is true that worn brake pads expose you to the risk of accidents. however, they destroy your bike wheels as well. Failure to change your brake pad when worn ffects the braking performance of your bike. It also damages your wheel’s rim. Hence, reducing the lifespan of the wheel. Changing
5. Constantly Inspect Your Wheel
Each time you apply the brakes, the rim of your wheel wears. As a result of the friction, the rim will thin out over time. If this is not addressed early, the structural strength of your wheel will be compromised. This could lead to total damage of the wheels when not checked. To avoid such occurrence, constantly check the rim wear indicators so that you can be sure of how much material is left.
Anything else someone considering buying electric bike wheels should know before making a purchase decision!
Before purchasing a new set of bike wheels, you need to pay attention to certain essentials. These essentials include things like: rim height, wheel material, weight, and width of rim.
The higher the rim height, the less the air resistance is when riding. The only danger in this is that very high rim height causes the bike to be more wind sensitive. As such, it may be more difficult to ride with such wheels. Additionally, wheels with extreme heights tend to be heavier. In view of this, it is advisable to opt for wheels with moderate height.
The most common wheel materials are Aluminium and carbon. Carbon wheels are more expensive than aluminium wheels. However, the value you get for the high price tag makes carbon wheels worth every penny spent. Carbon wheels are lighter than aluminium wheels. Additionally, they are stiffer than the former. Hence, giving you a better grip and more control while riding.
The weight of an ebike wheel comes in handy when riding on different terrains. If you are a lover of mountain rides, it is essential you opt for lighter wheels. Light wheels makes cycling easier and allow you to accelerate with ease.
A wider rim gives you room to fit fat tires to your ebike. The advantage of this is that you get the liberty to tour a wide range of terrains with fat tires. Unfortunately, no all ebikes have room for wide rims.
Conclusion
Your electric bike wheel is a key component of your ebike. Riding with faulty wheels could put you at a risk of accidents or even leave you stranded on the road. You could avoid these occurrences by properly maintaining and replacing your wheels when due.
