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E-Bike Battery Tips

Following the guidelines below will help to maximize the range, lifetime, and safety of your e-bike battery. This information is a summary based on the Bosch E-Bike Battery Guide; click the clink for more details and information.

Day-to-Day Usage

  • When starting from a stop, start in a lower, easier gear, and work up to higher gears as you increase your speed. Think ahead and shift back to a lower gear as you slow down or come to a stop.
  • When you stop for brief errands (e.g. going into a grocery store or café), if it's excessively cold or hot outside, remove the battery (if possible) and take it inside with you.
  • Use tires that are appropriate for the terrain you regularly ride, e.g. big knobby mountain bike tires only if you're riding on mountain bike trails, semi-smooth mixed-surface tires for a mix of paved and unpaved trails, smooth tires for paved roads.
  • Check your tires on a regular basis to be sure they are inflated to the recommended pressure.
  • To extend your range, you can purchase a second battery. Be sure to buy only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) batteries. Do not buy aftermarket products claiming to be compatible with your model of e-bike. Do not purchase "refurbished" batteries; e-bike batteries are not meant to be refurbished and run the risk of being a fire hazard. The same rules apply to buying a spare or replacement charging cable. Come to a Century Cycles store for advice if you are unsure how to order compatible batteries and charging cables for your e-bike.

Storage & Transport

  • Store your e-bike inside at normal room temperature.
  • If you have to store your e-bike outside or in a cold garage, remove the battery and bring it inside, if possible.
  • Remove the battery from the bike (if possible) when transporting it with a rack on your own vehicle or public transportation.
  • For long-term storage, it's best if the battery is charged to about 30-60% of its maximum capacity.

Charging

  • Charge the battery at room temperature.
  • When bringing the battery in when it's cold or hot outside, allow it to warm up or cool down to room temperature before you plug it in to charge.
  • Charge in a room with a smoke detector.
  • Do not leave a battery plugged in to charge when you're not at home.
  • Charging frequently, or "topping off," does not affect the capacity of the battery; modern lithium batteries do not have the so-called "memory effect." However, the number of charging cycles in a battery is limited, so it will last longer if you let it run down more. So, as an example, if your daily ride is about 10 miles, and you typically get about 50 miles per charge, then ride it for three or four days before recharging.