Electric Bike Motors: How Long Do They Last?

October 21, 2019

You may have heard about a growing trend in transportation. Electric bikes offer something more than traditional bikes do, making it easier to bike instead of driving. One of the concerns many people have before searching for electric bikes for sale is how long the bike will last. It is an investment, and no one wants their investment to only last a few months. The part most people are concerned with is the motor. So, the question is how long do ebike motors last?

The Longevity of Motors

Like any part of a bike, whether it is an electric bike or not, the motor will last longer if you take care of it. However, electric bike motors actually last longer than any other part of the bike most of the time. This may be surprising to you, but it makes sense if you think about how ebikes work. The motor does not run all the time and it does not carry too much weight. Instead, the motor only operates when you push down on the pedal. Rather than driving the bike forward, the motor simply gives you an assist. Men's electric bikes have motors that can usually last for about 10,000 miles as a minimum. That means you will likely replace the brakes, chain, battery, and essentially everything else besides the frame before you have to replace the motor. So if replacing the motor is not a concern, what about the other parts of the bike?

Other Parts

Besides the motor, you should be aware of the wear on your:

Battery
Brakes
Chains
Tires

The biggest question you should ask yourself is, "When should I replace my bike battery?" The battery probably has about 1,000 charges in it, which should last between three and five years. Other parts may wear out faster, but the battery is a more significant part to replace. You may be asking yourself, "Should I replace my bike battery?" It can be hard to know when it is time. Slowly, it will start to hold less of a charge and you will need to charge it up again more often. When this starts to happen, that means the battery is starting to wear out. You can decide for yourself when it becomes too inconvenient to continue using this worn-out battery and replace it.

The brakes will likely last between 3,000 and 6,000 miles, although the speed your brakes wear out depends heavily on the weather you ride in, the terrain your ride on, and your riding style. After a long while, your brakes will slowly start to become less effective, and that is when you know to replace them. You absolutely want your brakes to function perfectly. The chain and the tires will both last somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 miles, making them the parts that will wear out the quickest. Luckily, the tires and chains are also the easiest to change. Considering how small these jobs are, it will not be much work at all to change them every few thousand miles.

How To Make Your eBike Battery Last Longer?

Your electric bike is a smart investment. It gets you where you need to go at ease while saving you loads of time going from point A to point B. That said, taking good care of your eBike is of utmost importance when prolonging the range and lifespan of your battery. Luckily, we have some helpful advice on what you can do to increase the longevity and keep you riding on:

For maximum efficiency, always use the right mode in the right moment (i.e. don't ride around town in torque all day, use the turbo when going uphill, etc.)
Reduce your weight when riding (i.e. your backpack weight and other accessories you may take when going on a ride). This is especially true when going uphill and your bike is working extra hard.
Provide your bike with the best tires fitted for your journeys (i.e. take into account the rolling resistance depending on the daily purpose of your eBike).
Use a smooth pedaling technique (i.e. spinning your feet opposed to stomping down on the pedals will prolong your range).
Ride your bike smoothly (i.e. accelerating from zero puts a lot of pressure on the battery).
Gently wash the battery or motor to avoid corrosion rather than jet washing