Finding a Mechanic

[Cal]

So I'm about to pull the trigger and buy an e-bike (yay!). However, I am concerned about service. I'm OK traveling 30 or 40 miles to an e-bike shop once or twice for the initial purchase, but not basic maintenance year after year.

Do you have any suggestions for finding a local e-bike mechanic (Long Beach, CA) competent to work on (my) bike? Questions to ask, things to look for when visiting the shop, etc.? Are the differences between e- and non-e bikes small enough that skilled bike mechanics can work on everything other than the motor and battery? Does it matter in this regard whether the bike's mid-drive or hub drive? ... Sorry for all the Q's!!

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Nearly all of the items requiring maintenance on an e-bike are identical to a regular bike. Any competent bike shop can do that maintenance. The motor, controller, display, and battery do not typically require "maintenance" in the normal sense.

If I were you I would go to some local bike shops and ask them.

You probably will have better luck if the bike shop that does your servicing does not sell e-bikes. My reasoning is that if they sold e-bikes they might get a bit huffy that you didn't buy a bike from them.

 

[Bob H]

So I'm about to pull the trigger and buy an e-bike (yay!). However, I am concerned about service. I'm OK traveling 30 or 40 miles to an e-bike shop once or twice for the initial purchase, but not basic maintenance year after year.

Do you have any suggestions for finding a local e-bike mechanic (Long Beach, CA) competent to work on (my) bike? Questions to ask, things to look for when visiting the shop, etc.? Are the differences between e- and non-e bikes small enough that skilled bike mechanics can work on everything other than the motor and battery? Does it matter in this regard whether the bike's mid-drive or hub drive? ... Sorry for all the Q's!!

I wondered the same thing when I got my bike. I had heard that some bike shops refused to work on E-bikes or would only work on the brand they sold. However, in my city, I've asked at the service areas of 3 bike stores so far and they all said bring it in. As Mr Coffee said, most of the components are pretty standard stuff and any bike mechanic can do the work. It is a competitive business and money is money.

 

[Soarcj]

Myron's extreme machines commonwealth Fullerton ca

 

[rich c]

A mid drive bike is more like a conventional bike compared to a hub motor. If you get a Bosch mid drive, all the certified tech basically does is know how to plug in the lap top to read the faults, and then call the factory. Anything more than a cleaning, and the factory tells them to pull the whole unit and ship it back.

 

[ebikes rock]

I agree with comment by rich c. I have a hub motor and had to take to the shop simply to change a flat. This was because I'm not well-versed in bike mech and was very intimidated by the configuration. The mid drive is FAR easier to service for flat repair, etc. Maybe somebody will disagree with me. But I think keeping the e-bike guts in the middle, instead on the rear wheel really simplifies maintenance for the non-mechanics among us. By that logic a mid-drive could limit your trips to the e-bike specialists to only the "big stuff" like battery, controller, or motor. Disclaimer: if you get a bum motor or something... you're screwed and have to make that slog.

I used to live in Long Beach. The shop out in Fullerton is awesome. However, I understand your desire to avoid a long slog out there from the LBC. The traffic sprawl is why I left SoCal. Miss the surfing though...

 

[Ann M.]

Whether it's a hub drive or mid drive bike really won't matter to a good bike tech. Any tech with a bit of curiosity will figure out it's not a big deal to disconnect a wire harness to a rear wheel and if you show them the torque arm or simple drop out lock nut; they'll get it. The techs may have a question or two about the extra wires on the brake levers, so a simple explanation of a motor interrupt switch might be needed.

Speak to the repair manager and let them know you're a local looking for regular service. Ask if they have anyone on staff who's already interested in ebikes or working on them (but that's not a deal breaker). And even though you don't expect them to handle the electronic side of the bike, bring contact info just in case their staff might need it. An example of that would be info on the proper spoke tension for a rear wheel with a hub motor; information that wouldn't be in a typical bike repair manual.

You might just end up convincing your local shop that an ebike is not an evil alien creature

 

[Robert W Green]

So I'm about to pull the trigger and buy an e-bike (yay!). However, I am concerned about service. I'm OK traveling 30 or 40 miles to an e-bike shop once or twice for the initial purchase, but not basic maintenance year after year.

Do you have any suggestions for finding a local e-bike mechanic (Long Beach, CA) competent to work on (my) bike? Questions to ask, things to look for when visiting the shop, etc.? Are the differences between e- and non-e bikes small enough that skilled bike mechanics can work on everything other than the motor and battery? Does it matter in this regard whether the bike's mid-drive or hub drive? ... Sorry for all the Q's!!

Beeline bikes will come to you in their awesome mobile bike shops and fix your nonebike issues and depending on the tech some of your ebike issues. Also Southern California is the ebike capitol of the USA, do a google search and I bet you'll find a lbs that will help you. Things have have changed since I bought a recumbent trike and a ridekick power trailer. Back then I was a double heretic for the recumbent nature of my bike and the electric motor in my trailer. Now my lbs has an entire section for ebikes and recumbent and erecumbents. Is that a word?