The drivetrain components on electric bicycles (eBikes) use the same type of chain, freewheel, and chainrings that are used on traditional bicycles. However, there are a few important differences:
On average, eBikes transfer 3-times more force to the chain than a conventional bicycle.
Electric mountain bikes (eMTB) use specific eBike components that are more robust as these eMTBs are exposed to even higher amounts of torque and are combined with rough riding conditions and terrain
Additionally, you cover a higher mileage with eBikes and are often confronted with variable climatic conditions.
Your cadence (rpm) is also higher on eBikes, which exposes the drivetrain to more wear.
The type of lubrication while cycling is generally a function of climate and is the primary determining factor of chain lube selection. However, due to the above differences, a quality ALL-SEASON chain lube is recommended for recreational eBiking and eMTBing.
Do eBikes need special chain lube?
Standard bicycles & eBikes have nearly identical cogs, chainrings, and chains, and do NOT require any special eBike chain lubricant.- However, it is recommended, due to the increased torque, higher mileage, faster cadence, and longer duration spent eBiking, that you USE an ALL-SEASON CHAIN LUBE.
Parts of a bicycle chain (Image Source: Kaushik et al 2016)
e-bike specific vs standard chain lubes
There are several eBike specific chain lubricants available in the marketplace, however, are these specific lubes even necessary for your eBike’s chain?
Mid-drive electric bicycle systems add an additional 250 to 350 Watts to your drivetrain system, this only equals an extra .33 to .47 horsepower. To put this in perspective, Lance Armstrong averaged 400-Watts during the final hour of a 7-hour stage of the Tour de France. Elite track cyclists have pushed over 2,000 Watts during all-out sprints.
The average recreational cyclist can barely light a 100-Watt bulb:
175-Watts: Male cyclist for an all-out hour.
150-Watts: Woman cyclist for an all-out hour.
Even with the additional torque that is generated from the eBike motor along with an increased cadence, specific electric bicycle (eBike) chain lubricants do NOT provide any additional benefits as these are nothing more than a thicker chain lube marketed as a ‘special’ eBike lubricant.
Riding conditions & E-Bike lubes
Outside of proper tire inflation, which reduces flats and allows you to go faster due to decreased rolling resistance, the second most important routine maintenance task is keeping your chain optimally lubricated.
For serious cyclists, riding conditions dictate the type of lubricant chosen:
Dry lube for dry and sunny summer riding.
Wet lube or all-season lube for all other conditions, especially for any type of wet conditions including river crossings or humid weather.
All-Conditions Lube
For the average recreational cyclist and eRider, keeping it simple is recommended - use an all-season lube - so then you don’t have to clean and re-lube your chain all the time.
Clean Machine
Nothing is as important for extending the life and maintaining performance as keeping your bike clean and properly lubricated. This is even more important for eBikes as the additional electrical components are more sensitive to climatic conditions.
Riding with a dirty chain is not only inefficient but it also means your motor is working harder and needlessly wasting your battery.
Spray lubes
Spray chain lubricants are NOT recommended for eBikes.
Pay attention to the brake rotors: Just a little bit of lube on the rotors will disable your hydraulic or mechanical disk brakes. This is especially important with eBikes as these not only go faster but they are also heavier than standard bicycles and need more stopping power.
1-Drop Per Link
One drop per chain link is absolutely sufficient and is all that is needed to properly lube your chain. The classic dropper bottle is best as it’s easiest to control the flow. All excess lube should be wiped off.
Remember, you are only lubing the rollers and pins on the inside of the chain and should not be lubing the entire chain, especially the outside (this just picks up dirt and wears your drivetrain out quickly).
Final Thought
Keeping your bike clean and lubed is vital for performance and longevity. Over-lubing or applying fresh lube to a dirty chain is just as bad as not lubing at all. For the average eRider, using a bicycle specific all-condition lube is easiest and will last the longest.
Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: Mountain biking, bicycle commuting, snowboarding, reading, weight-lifting, taster of craft beers, researcher, & eMTB rider.
Sources & References
Kaushik, Prabhakar & Mittal, Kapil & Rana, Pardeep. (2016). Energy paybacks of six-sigma: A case study of manufacturing industry in India. Management Science Letters. 6. 691-700. 10.5267/j.msl.2016.10.001.