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eMTB Cleaning / Motor protection

Cap'nJim

Cap'nJim

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Hi There.

I'm a self-confessed NOOB when it comes to the world of eMTB ownership having just received my Orbea Rise LT the other day. However as I have been researching about eMTBs, many sites seem to imply that the motors do not cope very well with dirt / water ingress and so many people experieince failures to the motor or electrical system. These articles generally go on to say about good ebike practises when it comes to cleaning and drying the bike, but I wondered if there were any other preventative steps I could take to further protect from this occuring?

For context I live in UK which is known for its wet / muddy climate so I'm keen to understand more on this before potentially causing damage my bike. As an additional opinion, I feel its a little strange that the bike industry is releasing products that potentially can't handle the enviroments for which they may need to operate in (mud / water) so would also welcome your opinions on this. Am I wrong / missed something here?

Thanks
 
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So far so good with my ebike, no issues with water. In general, I would avoid spraying directly at the motor with a power washer. On really wet days I use tape to seal the battery compartment, because you never know. Usually I don't really wash the bike, I just brush it clean once it's dry. But that's because I'm lazy and the bike isn't stored my kitchen or next to my bed.

But it would be sensible to avoid submerging the motor. Just ride the bike 👍
 
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If you must clean it, clean it sparingly. It will still work fine with mud on it. Never use a jetwasher, preferably a bucket & sponge only & under no circumstances spray water at the cranks & you'll be golden.

The arguments about seals on motors go back & forth but ultimately sealing motors 100% is impractical in the real world & the vast majority of ebikes are commuter/cargo things that don't get used much in the wet, so manufacturers are building motors to a standard acceptable to the bulk of the market, balancing cost & resilience - it's not really their fault a bunch of loons want to rag them through bogs & ditches in January round the Welsh mountains in a force eight gale.
 
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RustyMTB said:
If you must clean it, clean it sparingly. It will still work fine with mud on it. Never use a jetwasher, preferably a bucket & sponge only & under no circumstances spray water at the cranks & you'll be golden.

The arguments about seals on motors go back & forth but ultimately sealing motors 100% is impractical in the real world & the vast majority of ebikes are commuter/cargo things that don't get used much in the wet, so manufacturers are building motors to a standard acceptable to the bulk of the market, balancing cost & resilience - it's not really their fault a bunch of loons want to rag them through bogs & ditches in January round the Welsh mountains in a force eight gale.
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This is good advice. I use dry brush, wet cloth. I also use a wet vac to remove dust. This method doesnt really do the paint much good, but its that or the bearings. The chain and cassette gets a good clean however.

Also check this out Frequently Asked Questions & Answers - eBike Motor Centre (Performance Line Bearings)
 
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I have had two emtbs since Jan'19 (that's seven winters) and I have never used a hosepipe, let alone a jetwash. Just a bucket of hot soapy water and brushes to clean the bike, plus a watering can to wet it and to rinse it. Sometimes, I just brush the mud off (wet or dry) and leave it at that. I have never added extra grease in special places, nor added waterproof tape in other places. The limit of my wet weather protection is a Mucky Nutz under the fork brace and one under the rear seatstay brace. I do not ride the bike through deep water. Apart from that precaution, as @Kepa said, just ride the bike.

But I have had Shimano motors which as far as I can tell don't tend to suffer as much from water ingress or damp conditions.

Edit: I have just seen that your bike has a Shimanio motor. As long as you don't take it for granted, you will be fine.
 
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A waterless wash works really well on mountain bikes. I've used Muc off waterless wash for a number of years now ( Winstanley bikes are doing the 5 litre for 60% off).
 
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I wash all my bikes with a hose and some Muc-Off and have never had any problems.
People think bikes break at the slightest thing and barely dare to cycle when it's wet outside nowadays....
 
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Ked už iné nie,tak by som rozhodne raz na čas do priestoru medzi klukový hriadel blok motora kvapol niekolko kvapiek hustého oleja,zabráni vniknutiu vody a vlhkosti do motora.
 
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Cap'nJim said:
Hi There.

I'm a self-confessed NOOB when it comes to the world of eMTB ownership having just received my Orbea Rise LT the other day. However as I have been researching about eMTBs, many sites seem to imply that the motors do not cope very well with dirt / water ingress and so many people experieince failures to the motor or electrical system. These articles generally go on to say about good ebike practises when it comes to cleaning and drying the bike, but I wondered if there were any other preventative steps I could take to further protect from this occuring?

For context I live in UK which is known for its wet / muddy climate so I'm keen to understand more on this before potentially causing damage my bike. As an additional opinion, I feel its a little strange that the bike industry is releasing products that potentially can't handle the enviroments for which they may need to operate in (mud / water) so would also welcome your opinions on this. Am I wrong / missed something here?

Thanks
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Here's a tip for you, regularly spray the whole motor with silicone spray ( preferably from new) this will really repell water and is pretty log lasting. Also after a washing your bike, I always spray GT85 around my crank motor seals/ bearings .... Obviously don't get and over spray on your brakes, cover with old towels or similar first.
I've owned many many off road dirt bike and now mainly emtbs this method has served me well.
Had two emtbs with the Shimano E8000 motors and had zero problems, one owned from new for nearly 6yrs.
 
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Also some folks feel the need to clean bike and lube chain after almost every ride. My logic says to minimize wash/lube frequency. Fresh chain lube attracts more dust. I’m also not a fan of lubing a dusty chain but I see guys do it all the time.
 
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dezzracer said:
Also some folks feel the need to clean bike and lube chain after almost every ride. My logic says to minimize wash/lube frequency. Fresh chain lube attracts more dust. I’m also not a fan of lubing a dusty chain but I see guys do it all the time.
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@dezzracer you make a really good point, but unfortunetly living in UK at this time of year pretty much garunttees dirty water, thick mud and sometimes grit salt as well. As such, I don't feel like I can leave the bike without a wash down after a ride in these conditions.

However in the dryer months I think this makes alot of sense.
 
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steve_sordy said:
I have had two emtbs since Jan'19 (that's seven winters) and I have never used a hosepipe, let alone a jetwash. Just a bucket of hot soapy water and brushes to clean the bike, plus a watering can to wet it and to rinse it. Sometimes, I just brush the mud off (wet or dry) and leave it at that. I have never added extra grease in special places, nor added waterproof tape in other places. The limit of my wet weather protection is a Mucky Nutz under the fork brace and one under the rear seatstay brace. I do not ride the bike through deep water. Apart from that precaution, as @Kepa said, just ride the bike.

But I have had Shimano motors which as far as I can tell don't tend to suffer as much from water ingress or damp conditions.

Edit: I have just seen that your bike has a Shimanio motor. As long as you don't take it for granted, you will be fine.
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I don't see that there will be any pressure difference between a hose on low pressure/ mist and a watering can. .....
 
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Don't forget riding through water, especially at speed, even when only 1 to 3 inches deep is going to do the same as hosing directly at the output shaft. Thing is it might be months later before you realise your motors knackered. I see people doing exactly this all the time because on a non emtb meat bike it didn't matter. And then whinge and moan about 6 months later that motor X (insert brand) is crap.
 
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Superses said:
I don't see that there will be any pressure difference between a hose on low pressure/ mist and a watering can. .....
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I think a watering can is about 0.03 bar whereas in the UK a mains garden hose will be 1-3 bar.

Even with the garden hose set very low still quite a big difference.
 
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I sometimes wash wheels etc on sprinkle with hose ,just keep away from motor area. If I remember I carry a sponge or cloot and wipe down in burn or big puddle as it goes in van with the front wheel off. A handful of grass is sometimes used to get the mud of that big fat downtube ( remember you heard that hack from me ). Happy cleaning yall
 
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Uplne bežne umývam ebajk vrátane motora záhradnou hadicou kde je tlak 3 bary.Bariera z vazelíny brani prístupu vzduchu k ložiskám a teda aj tlakovej vody.Samozrejme pre ebajk ktorý takuto ochranu nemá,tento postup neodporúčam.
 
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Reno Vaziar said:
Uplne bežne umývam ebajk vrátane motora záhradnou hadicou kde je tlak 3 bary.Bariera z vazelíny brani prístupu vzduchu k ložiskám a teda aj tlakovej vody.Samozrejme pre ebajk ktorý takuto ochranu nemá,tento postup neodporúčam.
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Google translate said:
I completely wash the ebike including the engine with a hose, where the pressure is 3 bar.
Click to expand...
 
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How ridiculous is this thread (that we need to discuss issues), concerning a product we all spent thousands on, to use outside, in all weathers, that we cannot feel its advisable to clean the bike regularly or indeed, use a garden hosepipe, without incurring serious damage to parts and components due to water ingress !

the designers of these components need to start thinking of solutions, either through facilitating regular servicing or by robust design.
 
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RustyMTB said:
Let's hear it then, what's your solution?
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That's an easy answer. The ability to home replace all the affected components. Simple as that.
The problem with Emtb's isn't the fact that water can get in, it's the fact that we can't always replace all the required items.
It doesn't have to be a simple job, it can still be for places like the bearing man to replace, but ALL components must be replaceable.
 
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