7 E Bike Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid | EMBN Maintenance Mistakes

A clean bike is a happy bike! They work better, run quieter and smoother, components last longer and look the part too. However, there's the right way to get a clean bike and there's the wrong way! Chris Smith has got a few pointers on which cleaning mistakes to avoid when you're washing your dirty E-MTB.
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[@embn]

Have you made any of these mistakes?

[@FiveManArmy]

Sponsored by Muc-Off?? This is BS.

[@johnmckenzie1623]

EMBN do a lot of decent videos but this isn’t one of them. More accurately described as infomercial I think. There’s nothing wrong with washing up liquid the salts aren’t the same as the ones that cause rust. Also that muc off chain cleaner is rubbish I’ve gone back to toothbrushes held closed with rubber bands

[@allanhetherington4224]

With an ebike with a removable battery in the downtube I'd recommend storing the bike after cleaning with the cover off, and preferably with the battery out, to help get rid of any dampness inside the frame and motor housing.

[@mallias2683]

Simple hose it down with only water and nothing else, give it a few bounces like described in the video, wipe everything with a cloth and let it dry. Apply wax lube to the dry chain, a little teflon based lube on the forks and you are good to go....no power wash, no degrease (wax based lube), no shampoos, no tears.....

[@doooderino]

After 8 years of using Dawn dish soap to wash all my bikes. I’m sorry to report that it IS in fact a perfectly safe and cheap way to wash your bike without having to worry about contaminated brakes. While I’m sure Muc-Off would disagree with me after they paid EMBN for this video.

[@Anon83462]

I’ve used it on my other bikes for years and never had any issues.

[@Itsthejourneynotthedestination]

A bike specific power washer, I think I have officially heard it all now 🤣🤣

[@Shralps]

I felt for it. I was careful and still filled my freehub up with muddy water. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@leighclark969]

I use my leaf on workshop blower to dry off my bike, works great to blast the water out of any tight spots and gaps

[@zackattack3402]

I do this every time

[@DRDELTS]

Was about to say the same thing... Also use when detailing cars. A must have IMO.

[@cristoffeemons1553]

I bought a blower for moving parts and it’s brilliant

[@kenbowman2058]

Same

[@Govermentsound]

My go to bike cleaner for the last 9 years, has been fairy liquid, its a brilliant bike cleaner in my case 😃

[@Tweetogreggieb59]

Two thumbs up 👍👍A great informative e Bike cleansing example, with good visual and verbal explanations of the Does & Don't's. Worthy of your time and consideration.✌😎

[@jeffleake1960]

I love using a chain cleaning device with a good degreaser the end rules are so satisfying if your chain was looking the worst for wear before hand !

[@rodtrotters3403]

I've used washing up liquid for over 30 years cleaning bikes with hot water as well. Bit of elbow grease and a rag for drying off not done any of my bikes any harm. Good muk off advert

[@halforma1]

Hugely helpful, as usual. Thank you guys so much.

[@rifleman42051]

I use car soap and clean disk brake rotors with rubbing alcohol. I never had any issues with using car soaps near disc brakes but never cleaned disk brakes with car soaps. Thanks for making this video learned something new.

[@msawyer110]

freaking love this channel. They sell 3 sizes of "master blaster" blowers. One for PC, middle size for motorcycles which would be perfect for bikes. And the big 8hp monster for the cars and trucks. Both the bigger blasters have heaters so it blows out hot air!

[@1975DAW]

Great item to have in our weekender horse trailer!

[@MrMooStone]

Great content and very useful as soon be getting my Ebike. You show cleaning an Ebike better then some of the specialists on here like Muc off and your using their products too. 😜

[@anthonykahwati5999]

Thanks for the advice. What bike stand do you have to keep the rear wheel up?

[@WeMakeLaw]

Every Bosch e-bike owner should check if he needs the "Bosch Service Kit 1270020133". It significantly improves the water protection for the crank bearing on older models. Highly recommended!

[@KV89-b3c]

I use car prewash and its great! No brake loosing power or anything. Those bike "specific" produts are overpriced if you ask me. As everything you have to keep an eye on certain parts of bike as you told. Nice vid!

[@Anon83462]

Around here ours have different options. Low pressure and high pressure. Since I live in an apartment without a hose it’s my only option.

[@nickclarkuk]

I stopped using an electric pressure washer as I’m too worried about the motor and electrics. I used a very low pressure hand pump “presssure washer “ that’s so gentle it could water your flowers . I loosen the dirt with cleaner and brushes before hand so no force is required to rinse .

[@msondago251]

Great advice!

[@grabir01]

Using a power washer is a big mistake. Use a garden hose with a nozzle. That will be more than enough pressure as washing the bike is about the hand wash and rinse. Not pressure. Using a pressure washer will force water into places you never want water to be and will have a tough time escaping if it ever escapes causing damage all the while its in there. Spray down and rinse the bike first. Then wash by hand using a mild soap such as baby shampoo. Using a hand rag, wash by hand. If you are concerned with your pads, keep away with your soapy rag. Once done soaping down with hand rag, rinse. Now its time to clean chain and sprockets. Using a degreaser such as 409, Purple Power, or Hot Rims, spray your chain and gear sets. Once done spraying, soap down bike with hand rag and wash the bike again and then do a final rinse of bike, chain and sprockets. Do not turn bike upside down to wash. Always wash right side up as this is how most bikes are designed and engineered to be postured in the wet. Drain holes and such . Anyway.. Once done with the wash and rinse 2 times and chain gear set once. Once done, you can blow dry the bike with a reverse vacuum , leaf blower, or bounce the bike a few times and ride it around the block a time or 2 to air and sling dry it. Once this is done, re-lube chain and gear sets. If chain and gear sets still have some moisture on them, use first a water displacement lube and then chase with a pure chain and gear set lube of your own preference. Done.

No, it's not. I use a battery one and it's perfect👍

[@grabir01]

@ Most pressure washers have way too much pressure. The ones sold here in USA or 1000psi or higher. The one he is using looks to be 1000psi. Not good for bikes, cars, or motorcycles. High pressure is Good for Graffiti.

[@f87max30]

I always remove the wheels and chain. Then rinse the dirt off, wash the bike and wheels with car shampoo, blow off most water with compressed air, dry it with a microfiber cloth, apply a detail spray. Before putting the wheels back in, I clean the discs with brake cleaner. May consider a bike specific cleaner next time.

[@sportherz]

Great video as always, what kind of bike stand are you using?

[@gnumarco]

Canyon (and Bosch too I think) advise to remove the battery before washing the bike. What do you think? In all your videos, you never remove it.

[@lzus3556]

Don't remove the battery while you wash your ebike, the water can sometimes damaged the power outlet that connects to the battery.

[@walleyehunter8862]

I use a garden pump sprayer with a little pressure only on the cassette and brakes , Chain and know where near electronics or motor wires etc.. The rest a light spraying with a damp rag

[@mcridr08]

Very informative. What rear wheel bike stand is that? Thanks

[@richardwalsh5570]

What about 18v blower to blow down after wash?

[@Coldlife565]

How do you clean the disc rotors and the front fork suspension?

[@laddie-1479]

So glad I found this video.....an advert for muc off 🤔

[@1971382]

Great video as usual👍🏼 What can you do if you have contaminated your Disc?

[@Shralps]

Disc brake cleaner.

[@niekvandenberg205]

My son is super happy with this bike

[@charliewilson3528]

I just use a spray bottle and wipe it off. Usually disinfectant and then run a rag on the chain spinning it backwards till clean. Sometimes I shoot it with wd40 and finish it with car motor oil. Thousand miles and still looks like new. Not counting the scratches where I wrecked it.

[@carolynrodgers3841]

Best thing in the world!

[@stefankraut8137]

I use car Shampoo for years with no Problem

[@trkoo]

Yeah they don't want you to use that because muckoff gives them a lot of money to promote their overpriced products.

[@cristoffeemons1553]

Ditto, car shampoo is cheaper than “ripoff”

[@Mr450pro]

Use a compressor to blow all the water of, works really well

[@melnickharris1177]

Has anyone sorted out y the e8000 gets the wo11 fault code every now and then mostly up hill its a pain in the arse checked all the speed sensor and everything is fine y y y

[@trkoo]

Muckoff commercial? Why not use dish washer soap it is pretty much same stuff as the degreaser you use on the chain. Also car shampoo is fine if it doesn't have any wax in it. You can buy stuff that specifically says no silicone oil... Anyways please make these videos where you use other stuff than your sponsor brands...

[@caggs10]

Don't use washing up liquid but only use a sponsored cleaning product pure bollocks at it's best.

[@Kev.in-Bike]

Thanks for this Nice vudeo

[@jackomountainbikechannel6088]

Hi

[@kamykkamyk]

Rather than using a rack - use air to get all the water off.

[@andrewgent5675]

Things to always consider: 1. Wash your bike on a stand. 2. Always remove the battery before wash. 3. Remove the wheels - use a ghost wheel to maintain the chain tension. 4. Have the right set of bike brushes. 5. Degrease and clean the drivetrain before applying new lube. 6. Always apply the correct lube to match the trail conditions. This time of year needs a wet lube. 7. After applying chain lube, wipe off excess. 8. Always dry off the bike. I always leave a couple of days before reconnecting battery to ensure contact areas have properly air dried. 9. Finally and most importantly, spray pads and discs with suitable cleaner to remove any wash residue.

[@lzus3556]

Don't remove the battery while you wash, sometimes water can damaged the outlet that connects to the battery.

[@dinnoo89]

Stupid idea to removing battery when washing, even jn manuals is written that is safe to wash with batery on

[@yofoo138]

Your not suppose to remove the battery before washing you can damage the contact points

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

@@lzus3556 Cling wrap or electrical tape around battery connection point to keep water out during washing , with battery out as water can get through small gaps where battery sits . There is no perfect way to keep water away from many battery brands , unfortunately . Ebikes and Pedalecs are " NOT" meant to be submerged . Many fail during rides through flooded roadways .

[@adrianjohnson971]

what bike stand is it?

[@Zippy8027]

Muc-off bike specific stand ;-)

[@Indicasativa55]

I can’t tell you how many brake pads I get through because of contamination I cause whilst cleaning my bike 😂

[@Pienimusta]

Remember to use Monny for prewash

[@paulroberts7775]

An airline is worth every penny

[@Filzkiiz]

YesSiRr!!😎😁👌👊🔥💯

[@haraldh.9354]

your brake caliper ist loose !! -@ 30sec

[@McStoolio]

A muc off power was is “safe for your ebikes”. This is bullshit. I clean my chain first, after the initial rinse. Otherwise you just contaminate the paintwork again...

[@jerryx2000]

but why is he wet?

[@oal2928]

Gives advice and uses high pressure…

[@vincesnetterton5868]

who has the time for all this crap?

[@fuckinellitsraymo]

Been cleaning all forms of mountain bike with washing up liquid for years and never had one spot of rust. Bike specific cleaners are a rip off and don't actually work that well.

[@sexygirl9878]

" Cool !! keep doing"