How to Care For Every Inch of Your New Bluejay Bike From the Handlebars to that Leather Seat

You did it! You finally bought your first Bluejay bike and it’s soooo sparkly and clean you almost don’t want to take it out for a spin. But trust us, our bikes are meant to be ridden, so go ahead and get yours dirty—it’s beautiful proof of your adventurous spirit. But you might also want to bookmark this guide on how to properly clean your Bluejay. It’s the best way to make sure your electric bike stays in good shape for a long time, that way you can look forward to years of excursions.

Cleaning

Before we get into the specifics here, let’s cover some basics. We recommend wiping down your bike after each ride but how often should you be doing a more thorough sudsing up? That all depends on how often you’re riding. If you tend to frequent city bike paths and only hit the pedals about once a week, you can probably get away with washing your bike once a month. But if you take your Bluejay out almost daily in areas where dirt, mud, sand and the like are plentiful, you’ll probably want to wash yours more frequently. 

Now that we’ve got that covered, here’s what you’ll need to gather for a thorough bike wash:

• Bucket of water
• Non-corrosive biodegradable cleaner
• A few cloths or rags (including a few specifically for drying)
• Sponge or soft brush
• Disc brake cleaner
• Leather cleaner and/or conditioner

Note: You shouldn’t use pressure washers or hoses directly on the bike, as that excess of water may cause issues with your battery and the rest of the electrical components. 

1. Remove the battery and put it safely out of the way! You don’t want this important part of your Bluejay getting wet.
2. Mix the non-corrosive biodegradable cleaner into your water to create a soapy mixture. Note: You can buy specific bike cleaning formulas that are strong enough to tackle mud and dirt, without damaging your bike frame or the bike’s paint.
3. Dip the rag into the mixture and wring it out until it’s damp—not dripping wet. Wipe down every inch of your bike, making sure to get into all the nooks, crannies and awkward angles. Don’t forget to clean your pedals, your handlebars and the spokes of your tires.
4. For any areas with stubborn dirt or muck, use a sponge or a soft brush to carefully work the gunk out.
5. Use the dry cloths or rags to completely wipe your bike dry.
6. Now, it’s time to pay some attention to your brakes. Spray or spread on disc brake cleaner and scrub it carefully with your rag or sponge. Now would also be a good time to lubricate your brakes and shift cables, if you’d like.
7. Dab some leather cleaner on a dry cloth or rag and work it into the seat using circular motions. Once it’s all worked in, use a dry cloth or rag to blot up the remaining soap. (You can also follow this step with a leather conditioner, or look for a cleaner that includes that step). 
8. Wait until your seat dries et voilà, you’ve got a clean, sparkling bike that looks good as new!

Maintenance Checks

While you should be checking the status of your bike and all of its gear before you ride every single time (our website has more info on how and when to check the brakes and tires, while you should refer to the owner’s manual for more in-depth info on the steering, chain and bearings), you should also be in the habit of doing more in-depth maintenance checks throughout the year. That should be in addition to taking your bike into a local bike shop to have it serviced by the pros every six months—as we’re sure they’ll catch something that you might’ve missed. Not to mention, they know how to do the tricky replacement of parts.

Here’s what you should be checking up on, servicing and replacing, and how often:

Weekly (Every 100-200 miles)

1. Check the hardware for the proper torque.
2. Check to make sure that the chain, freewheel, chainring, and derailleur are all in proper alignment and are functioning properly.
3. Check the wheels, being sure to keep an eye out for any wobbling or squeaking.
4. Use the barrel adjusters to tension the brake cables and/or derailleur, if needed.

Monthly (Every 250 to 750 miles)

Replacements: Brake and shift cables, brake pads

1. Check the brake pad alignment and make sure the brake cable tension is correct.
2. Test out your gears, making sure your bike is shifting as it should. 
3. Take a look at the crankset and pedal torque. 
4. Clean and lubricate the drivetrain. 
5. Check the chain stretch, the derailleur cable tension and the brake and shifter cables, being sure to address fraying or corrosion.
6. Make sure your spokes are the correct tension. If any are loose, be sure to true and tension your wheels.
7. Make sure all of your accessories are still in place and secured to the bike frame.

Every 6 Months (750 to 1,250 miles)

Replacements: Brake pads and if necessary, tires, cables and housings.

1. Inspect the drivetrain (including the chain, chain rail, freewheel and derailleur).
2. Check out all the cables and housings.
3. Grease the bottom bracket.

Battery Care

Some might argue that this is the most important part of a Bluejay bike. And by now, you should know that you need to fully charge your battery before your next ride. But here are a few more facts you should know about your battery, in order to best take care of it:

• Carefully check the charger cables, charger, and battery for damage before plugging it into the wall. BTW, you’re going to want to make sure you’re using a standard home AC power outlet (110/220 V/50/60 Hz).
• Only use the charger provided to you by Bluejay Electric Bicycles, because it’s specific to your bike model and the battery included.
• You can charge the battery while it’s in the bike or when it’s been removed.
• Your battery should be charged indoors, away from direct sunlight in addition to any dirt or debris. Make sure your charger or battery is not covered by anything, as this can cause it to overheat. And make sure it’s safely 
• located on a flat, stable and hard surface.