5 Things to Check Before Riding Your Cargo E-bike



Electric cargo bikes are robust vehicles, capable of carrying up to 440 pounds and reaching speeds of up to 20 mph. Due to their weight and speed, safety checks are important for you and your precious cargo.


Before each ride, follow this quick "ABBTS" checklist, inspecting your bike from front to back. This is also an excellent opportunity to teach children about bike safety and instill good habits.

Top 5 Things To Double Check Before Riding:


1. Accessories

2. Brakes

3. Battery

4. Tire Pressure

5. Seat Height

1. Accessories

First and foremost, make sure you have all of the accessories you need for a safe and comfortable ride. E-bikes give you the freedom to go much longer distances, which will often take you further from home base. Plan accordingly.


What to look for:

  • Bike lock? Check.

  • Helmets for you & your kids? Check.

  • Water bottle or snacks? Check.

  • Gloves & blankets? Check. 

  • Rain Cover just in case? Check.

2. Brakes

How it differs on a cargo e-bike:

We cannot stress how important properly functioning brakes are, for any bike, but especially for cargo e-bikes! With a heavier load that might include your children, you should never be on the road without knowing that your brakes are working. 


What to look for:

To check your e-bike brakes, simply ride forward and apply both brakes to ensure a full stop. For a thorough inspection, visually examine the brake pads near the wheel's center for wear, measure their thickness, and ensure proper alignment.


Our electric cargo bikes use hydraulic disc brakes, providing superior stopping power and rider control. Mechanical brakes may need frequent tuning, while hydraulic brakes typically require tuning every 6-12 months. If you detect any issues, contact a bike technician as tuning hydraulic brakes requires specialized equipment.

When squeezing your brake levers, you should meet plenty of resistance well before the levers get close to the handlebar. If the levers can touch the handlebar, your bike is not safe to ride.

3. Battery

How it differs on a cargo e-bike:

It’s always a good idea to double check whether your bike has enough charge for your next trip. You’ll still be able to ride your bike without a charged battery, but the motor assistance really comes in handy when you’re carrying cargo or maneuvering up hills. 


What to look for:

Make sure you know how much battery is required to go the distance you’re planning to travel. For example, Integral’s Roam cargo e-bike comes fitted with a 48V 624Wh Li-Ion battery, which charges fully in 4-6 hours and has a range of 25-35 miles. If your child’s school is about 5 miles away from home, you can feel comfortable making the roundtrip on a half-charged battery.

4. Tire Pressure

How it differs on a cargo e-bike: 

Cargo e-bikes often carry heavier loads, which can deflate tires more quickly than a standard bike would. Ensuring your tires are properly pressurized will mean smoother rides for you and your cargo. 


What to look for: 

Bicycle tires should feel firm to hard if they’re properly pressurized. One of the simplest ways to check your tire pressure is to press down on your tires and see if you’re able to easily squeeze them. If you are, then you should pump your tires.


For a deeper inspection of your tire pressure, you can use a tire pump with a pressure gauge to confirm that the tire pressure is between the PSI range prescribed in your owner's manual (PSI can sometimes be found printed on the side of the tire itself).

If you notice anything wrong during your pre-bike inspection, contact Integral Electrics or your local bike shop. Riding a cargo e-bike that's not in top form can be dangerous for you and your passengers.

5. Seat Height

How it differs on a cargo e-bike:

On a regular bike (or if cycling for sport), you will adjust the seat so that your leg is nearly at full extension at the lowest part of your pedal stroke. This makes your pedal stroke longer and more efficient, and without a motor, efficient pedaling is important. However, on an an electric cargo bike, with the motor to help you, this is less of a concern.


What to look for:

While some avid cyclists might disagree, we find that most people prefer a slightly slower seat when riding a cargo e-bike because they're able to hop on and off the seat more easily, and this helps manage the weight of the cargo area comfortably.

There are many components to your bike that you will need a to inspect in a regular basis to ensure continued great riding. Hopefully, this checklist will help you with your daily maintenance.


If you come across issues with your e-bike, feel free to reach out to us at hello@integralelectrics.com and we will pair you up with a trained e-bike tech that can get you back on track.

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