Fat ebikes have given us more riding pleasure than ever since they came out, and in return, we need to love them more. As the chain is an important part of the fat tire electric bike, keeping it clean and lubricated is essential for the normal operation of the transmission system. Fortunately, most people understand the importance of chains, it’s just that many people don’t know how to properly clean and lubricate fat bike chains, and we’ve seen quite a few riders clean and lubricate incorrectly. Unexpected situations that end up causing problems with legacy systems.

So, here we are sharing some top tips for cleaning and lubricating fat bike chains. Before we do that, let’s take a closer look at why cleaning your chain is important.

Why should you clean and lubricate your e-bike chain?

First of all, a clean and well lubricated chain will last much longer than a dirty and unlubricated chain, cleaning and lubricating it regularly will effectively prolong the life of all parts that come into contact with it, which will save you in the long run a lot of money.

Secondly, a clean and lubricated chain also contributes to a smoother, quieter ride, in general a chain that is too dirty can be noisy to run and can also make shifting awkward.

How often should you clean and lubricate my chain?

Optimally, after each ride, the chain should be given a quick clean, primarily to remove dirt and dust from the surface of the chain. Then, give it another deep clean every 10 rides or so to remove any dirt and grime that has accumulated in the nooks and crannies. Of course, this is in the case of normal weather and road driving. If you like to ride in wet and muddy conditions, you should clean it more frequently.

The best advices before cleaning

When you’re ready to clean and lubricate your best fat tire electric bike chain, following these tips will make your job a lot more organized.

• The chain needs to be lubricated every time after cleaning.
• It is best to use chain degreaser and lubricant for fat tire electric bicycles.
• Spread rags or cardboard around your work area to protect the floor. In our experience, cardboard works best.
• It is the best to put your bike on a professional body stand and adjust it to a height that suits you, so that you can not only maintain a comfortable posture, but also allow you to rotate the rollers freely.
• Change into clothing that you don’t mind getting greased up on, and of course, bring an apron, gloves, goggles, etc. if you want to further protect yourself.
• Be careful not to let the detergent get on your brakes or brake surfaces. Before cleaning, it is best to cover these parts with a clean cloth.

How to properly clean a fat tire electric bike chain?

Quick cleaning method

Tools needed: degreaser spray, clean cloth

Steps:

• Spray the degreaser on a clean cloth.
• Wrap the chain with the cloth just now and press it lightly.
• Turn the pedals until all outside surfaces of the chain are clean.
• Spray the degreaser on the clean area of ​​the cloth.
• Wrap the cloth around the chain and rub it back and forth to polish, remembering to move the chain periodically to ensure every spot is polished.

Deep cleaning method

Tools needed: degreaser, airtight container, chain breaker tool, water, clean cloth

Steps:

• Take the chain off the fat tire ebike. There is usually a main link in the middle of the chain, from which it can be broken, or it can be broken with a professional chain breaking tool.
• Fill an airtight container with enough degreaser.
• Put the chain into the container and seal it.
• Shake the sealed container for a few minutes.
• Let the chain soak in it for about 20 minutes.
• Remove the chain from the sealed container.
• Wrap the chain with a cloth to slide and wipe.
• Rinse the chain with clean water to remove the degreaser.
• Reattach the chain to the fat tire e-bike.
• Air dry in a dry and ventilated place.

How to properly lubricate a fat tire electric bike chain?

The best way is to choose different chain lubricants according to different riding environments: if you often ride on wet or off-road roads, it is recommended to use heavy-duty lubricants. If it is a hot summer, it is recommended to use a dry film lubricant. Of course, in addition to these two types of lubricants used under different extreme conditions, there are semi-dry lubricants and wet lubricants, etc. If you are not sure which one you should use, you can contact your dealer for consultation.

When you have determined the type of lubricant, here are the specific steps:

1. Apply a drop of lubricant to each link in the chain, making sure to cover both sides of the link.
2. Slowly turn the pedal back a few turns.
3. Let the chain stay put for a few minutes
4. Gently wrap the chain with a clean, dry rag and gently turn the pedals back to wipe off excess lubricant.

No one wants to ride a dirty ebike, but once you go through the above process, your fat tire ebike will be clean and healthy, and will last you longer, and when you get good at it, you will find, it won’t take you long at all to do this.