Maintenance manuals for your cargo bike

It is important for the life of your bike that you clean and maintain your bike regularly. At least twice a year.  Once as preparation for spring/summer and once as preparation for autumn/winter. In the same context, you should have your authorized dealer perform a service check on the bike.  

Always make sure that your bike always has enough air in the tires (see max. tire pressure on the side of the tire) and check that your brakes are working as they should, they need to brake efficiently and quick. The bike should not turn right or left when braking. 

During the winter it will be a great idea to make sure to, wash and lubricate your bike often. The wet weather and the road salt are very rough to your bike. In general, your bike is best placed to stand dry. So always park your bike under a roof, under a rain cover or in a bike basement. Always take the battery with you inside whenever possible. Never store a battery for an extended period in freezing weather. 

When you need to wash your bike, never use a high-pressure cleaner or other water spreader with pressure. Instead, rinse your bike with a garden hose or watering can. You can then spray with a cleaning fluid designed for bicycles in areas that are extra dirty, for example on the frame around the chain.  Use a soft brush or cloth to remove the last dirt. On the rest of the bike, a mild liquid soap can be used. Always rinse the bike thoroughly, especially wheels and where the brakes are found (remove brake dust), after using soap and other cleaning products. 

Be careful not to pour too much water over the battery, battery box, controller, and electrical parts. Instead, use a cloth and wipe the plastic with this. If your chain is very dirty, use a chain cleaner to clean out old oil and dirt. Be sure to rinse the chain thoroughly after using the chain cleaner. 

After washing, leave the bike to dry or use a cotton cloth to wipe the bike after. If you want to make cleaning easy next time, there are various sprays that can be used after you wash the bike. The spray attaches a membrane to the bike’s frame, which makes it easier to remove dirt the next time the bike is to be washed. 

During the winter, it can be an advantage to spray the bike with lukewarm water. This will cause the road salt to be rinsed off the bike so that it does not wear on the frame and parts. Be aware, however, of putting the bike in a frost-proof place, such as in a garage. Then you are sure that the parts of the bike do not freeze after contact with the water. 

After washing your bike, always make sure you lubricate it. The chain is the most important element to be lubricated. Always use an oil that is intended for a bicycle chain. Be extra thorough when using the chain cleaner, here the protective layer of chain oil has been cleaned off therefore it is important that this is thoroughly lubricated again. Also, be aware to choose a chain oil that is suitable for the season. During the winter it is a good idea to lubricate the chain a little more often.

PLEASE NOTE Never use the product W40 which is degreasing. 

Road salt is generally very rough on the bike’s moving parts. It is therefore important that you also remember to lubricate your gears and cogs. If you want to make sure your bike is ready for use all winter, then you should lubricate the moving parts at least once a week, such as chain, cogs, brake arms and gears. If you want to give your bike some extra care, you can lubricate all aluminum, chrome, and steel parts with an acid-free Vaseline. Then you avoid any oxidation of the metals.

Once you have washed and lubricated your bike, it is important that you make a few checks on your bike.  

Make sure the tire pressure on your bike is as it should be. You can find the correct tire pressure of your bike on the side of the tire. When the bike is pumped correctly (just below the max. level), this can help you to avoid punctures and on a bike with electricity is a correct tire pressure to extend the range of the electric bike. If the tire has cracks or is worn, you should replace the tire which can be purchased here: https://amladcykler.com/product-category/cargo-bike-parts/?v=0ecbf9426bcf

It is also important that you check if your brakes are effective and that they brake quickly. If your bike has a foot brake, the rear wheel should be briefly blocked when you are making a hard braking. Your bike’s handbrakes should take a good grip when you brake without the brake lever being fully pressed. If this is not the case, it is important that you adjust them so that you can safely make an emergency braking. Use the adjustment screw on the handbrake lever. In most cases, it is best to let your dealer adjust your brakes. 

The chain of the bicycle must also not be too loose, if it is, you should have the chain tightened up. A too loose chain may result in the chain jumping off. 

It is also a good idea to check that the lights are working and that all the statutory reflectors are on the bike. The winter season has many dark hours, and even in the middle of the day it can be gray and foggy. It is important for the safety of both your own and other road users that you are visible in traffic. And although it is rare that it is completely dark when cycling during the summer months, there is still a need for lights and reflectors in the evening and at night. 

One thing you can fix yourself is to lubricate your bike lock with a lock oil that is intended for winter use. If the lock is not lubricated, you may not be able to turn the key and, in the worst case, the key will break inside the lock.  

PLEASE NOTE Never use the product W40 which is degreasing. 

If your battery charger has become dirty, it can be cleaned with a cloth. Never use strong chemical cleaning or other liquids that scrub or wear the surface of the charger. Never use the battery charger at the same time as you clean it. The charger needs to be 100% dry before using it again. 

Be careful when you put the charger in your battery and when you take it off. If the battery charger’s coupling points are damaged, the battery will no longer be able to be charged. And in some cases, you will need to invest in a new charger that can be purchased here: https://amladcykler.com

On most battery charger there is a male plug that is fed into a corresponding female connector in the battery. Always make sure that these two are straight next to each other before pressing the plug into the battery. If in doubt, you can always get your dealer to show you how to do it.  

Always charge your battery at room temperature. When charging your battery during the winter season, it is important to put the battery in the charger only after the battery has reached room temperature. In this way, make sure that any condensation from the temperature change is gone, so that it cannot damage the battery. Turn on the switch only when the battery and battery charger are connected. Always turn off the battery charger when you remove the battery or when the battery is charged. 

To maintain the life of your battery for as long as possible, always store your battery at room temperature when you are not using it. 

Always remember to take your battery inside when it is freezing weather. Freezing weather gradually destroys batteries.