How To Wash A Fat Tire Electric bike
No matter where you ride your fat tire electric bike, it will pick up dirt and grime, which is detrimental to the condition of your bike. So, it's imperative that you learn how to wash a fat tire e-bike to keep it in full working order for many years to come.
Why It's Important To Learn How To Wash A Fat-Tire E-bike
Dirt and grime harms the components and frame of your fat tire e-bike. For example, if your bike is covered in mud and you don't wash it off, it stays on your drivetrain components. This wears out your chain, cassette, chainring, and derailleur.
In addition to this, the dried mud can eventually corrode your frame. If you ride on the road regularly, especially in the winter, your fat tire e-bike will collect road grime and salt. Salt is awful for metal bike components and frames, making them rust prematurely.
So, if you wash your fat tire e-bike regularly, you can prevent things from going wrong. This will extend the lifespan of your fat tire electric bike and make your components work as they should.
Should I Wash My Fat Tire E-bike After Every Ride?
How often you wash your fat tire e-bike depends on how often you ride, the weather conditions, and where you ride. If you ride your fat tire e-bike in the city during summer, you may only need to wash it once a week. But, if you only ride it occasionally, once a month should be sufficient.
However, if you ride your fat tire e-bike off-road, you may want to wash it after every ride. It may not require an in-depth detailed clean, but it's best to get most of the dirt off, so it doesn't get too bad.
When you have ridden on a wet day, and your fat tire ebike is plastered in mud, it's best to clean it thoroughly. So, keep reading to learn precisely how to wash a fat tire ebike?
Should I Use A Pressure Washer?
A pressure washer will help you get the job done quickly, but it could severely damage your fat tire e-bike if you use it incorrectly.
Some pressure washers are far too powerful for washing a fat tire e-bike. The water jet can easily get into the electrical components, damaging the motor. The other issue with highly pressurized water is that it can force essential grease from the bike's frame bearings and suspension components.
When you wash your fat tire e-bike with a pressure washer, you must be mindful of how you use it. It's best to stand a reasonable distance from your bike and try not to hold the jet in one place for too long.
You can buy low-powered pressure washers that are ideal for cleaning electric bikes. So, you may want to get one of these to be safer.
If you don't have a pressure washer, you can use a bucket of soapy water and a sponge. This will take longer to wash your fat tire ebike, but it is still possible. Alternatively, you can use a garden hose with a spray attachment to do the rinsing.
What Else Do I Need To Wash A Fat Tire E-bike?
To ensure that you get into all the nooks and crannies of a fat tire e-bike, you'll need a selection of brushes. If you buy a bike cleaning kit, it should have all the brushes you need. But here's what we recommend:
A drivetrain brush: This is a specially shaped brush with stiff bristles. It allows you to clean in between the gears and will enable you to thoroughly clean the drivetrain components.
A detailing brush: These brushes are soft, so you can scrub the various parts of your fat tire e-bike without damaging the paintwork.
A two-pronged brush: This brush allows you to scrub the wheel hubs and spokes easily.
Chain bath: This isn't 100% necessary, but it allows you to clean your chain quickly and to a high level.
Soapy Water: You can buy bike cleaning solutions in squirt bottles. These allow you to get your bike soapy before scrubbing it with the brushes. You can use car shampoo or even washing up liquid in a bucket of water.
Degreaser: This stuff gets all the old chain lube and dirt off your drivetrain, so you can re-lubricate it once your e-bike is clean.
Bike spray: Applying bike spray after you've washed your fat tire e-bike will make it nice and shiny. But it will also make it easier to clean next time.
Clean cloth or towel: You will need something to wipe down your fat tire e-bike to get rid of excess water.
6 Steps Of How To Wash A Fat Tire E-bike
Before washing your fat tire e-bike, ensure the power is switched off for safety. Leave the battery mounted in the frame. Also, secure the bike in a bike stand, or prop it up a wall, so it won't fall over.
Step 1 - Get Your E-bike Wet
Whether using a sponge or a pressure washer, get your bike wet, starting at the top and working your way down. This will prevent you from getting dirty water on the parts of your bike you've just cleaned.
Remember to be careful about squirting your electrical components, frame bearings, and suspension components with the washer or hose.
Step 2 - Get Your Fat Tire E-bike Soapy
Apply the bike cleaner with the squirt bottle or use a wet sponge to apply your soapy water. Then use your soft detailing brush to agitate the solution.
Start at the top and work your way down, paying extra attention to the more complicated parts of the bike. While doing this, rinse your brush regularly, so you don't scrub dirty water all over your bike frame.
Also, don't use this brush to clean your drivetrain. This is because it is greasy, and you don't want to contaminate your detailing brush. Instead, use your drivetrain brush to scrub the jockey wheels and chain between the gears.
Use your two-pronged brush to ensure your wheels are clean, but be careful of any painted areas as this brush can be pretty stiff and abrasive.
Once your fat tire e-bike is soapy, leave it for a few minutes so the cleaning solution can do its job. Then, rinse your bike to remove all the soapy water and dirt.
Step 3 - Dry Your E-bike
Take your bike from its stand and bounce it on the ground a few times. This will shake off any excess water from the frame and components.
Drying your fat tire e-bike properly is essential as water can damage the electrical components. Use your cloth, towel, or a dry sponge to soak up water. Some fat tire e-bike riders use a leaf blower or compressed air to blast the water off their bikes.
Step 4 - Clean Your Drivetrain Thoroughly
Even if you've scrubbed your drivetrain, it will still have lots of old lube on it. You can remove the lube with a can of degreaser, but you must be careful how you use it.
It's best to spray the degreaser onto a cloth or brush rather than directly onto the drivetrain components. This is because you can easily get it on your brake discs and pads, preventing them from working.
Alternatively, you can clean your chain with a chain bath. This device sits on the top of a can of degreaser and fits around your chain. Fill the bath with degreaser and let the chain pass through as you back pedal until all the grime and old grease have gone.
Once you're happy you've cleaned your drivetrain correctly, it's time to rinse and dry it.
Step 5 - Tend To Your Battery And Motor
After you've washed your fat tire electric bike, remove the battery and spray the contacts with contact cleaner or water displacer. This will ensure that any water will be eliminated, and you'll get a good battery connection.
Step 6 - Polish Your Fat Tire E-bike
Once your bike is clean and dry, you can give it a polish with some bike spray. This will bring out the best in your frame's paint job, but it will also get rid of any stubborn water left and make it difficult for dirt to stick to your bike.
Applying bike spray onto a cloth rather than onto the bike is best. This stuff can also contaminate your brakes, causing you lots of problems. Buff your frame with a clean cloth for the best results.
Final Thoughts On How To Wash A Fat Tire E-bike
Washing a fat tire e-bike isn't difficult; in fact, it can be therapeutic and enjoyable. But it's an essential task that every e-bike rider should know how to do. It keeps a fat tire e-bike running how it should and makes its components last much longer.
Before you put your fat tire e-bike away, it's best to ensure it works properly. Turn the power on and go for a short ride. This will highlight any issues and let your new coating of chain lube settle in.