How to Change the Rear Wheel on an Electric Bike: A Simple Guide

Handling a flat rear tire or disassembling your electric bike for maintenance may initially seem intimidating.

Don’t panic: this step-by-step guide will walk you through each step, helping you handle it like a pro! Let’s get started!

If you encounter any problems with your Macfox electric bike, please contact Macfox customer service to provide you with the best solution.

Tools You’ll Need

Before starting, gather these tools to make the job smoother:

• Wrench (18mm or 19mm) for axle nuts
• Allen wrenches (4mm or 5mm) for bolts
• Cable clippers (for zip ties)
• Rubber mallet (optional, but helpful for stubborn parts)
• Something soft to rest your bike on (like cardboard or boxes to protect your display and handlebars)

Step 1: Safety First—Turn Off or Remove the Battery

Always begin by turning off or removing your e-bike's power or battery completely to prevent accidental starting of the motor or damaging any electronics while working. This ensures a more pleasant and safer working environment.

Step 2: Flip the Bike Over

It flips your bike upside-down, making it easier to access the rear wheel. To protect any display or controls that could be damaged, use boxes or blocks (soft material is ideal) as support for the handlebars. If scratching occurs, place cloth or padding under the screen to prevent scratches.

Pro Tip: If the bike feels too heavy to maneuver alone, consider recruiting extra assistance!

Step 3: Disconnect the Motor Cable

Electric bikes typically have a motor cable connected to their rear wheel.

• Find the motor cable—it usually has a quick connector near the wheel.
• Unplug the cable carefully. Most connectors have little arrows—just line those up and pull gently.
• If there’s a zip tie holding the cable to the frame, use your cable clippers to snip it, but be super careful not to cut the actual cable!

Step 4: Loosen the Axle Nuts

It's now time to loosen the nuts that keep your rear wheel in place; here's how:

1. Remove any plastic caps that might be covering the axle nuts.
2. Use your 18mm or 19mm wrench to loosen the nuts on both sides of the wheel. You don’t need to remove them completely—just loosen them enough so the wheel can slide out.

Note: Some bikes have additional washers or clips—make sure to remember where each part goes for reassembly!

Step 5: Free the Chain and Derailleur

This is where things can look tricky, but it’s not as bad as it seems. The derailleur (the part that moves the chain when you change gears) might be in the way, so here’s what to do:

1. Push the derailleur back gently. This will give you enough space to remove the wheel without getting the chain tangled.
2. Lift the chain off the rear sprocket as you start to remove the wheel.

No need to worry if the chain gets a little loose—it will go right back in place when you reinstall the wheel.

Step 6: Remove the Rear Wheel

Once all the loose bolts have been tightened down, carefully lift out and guide the rear wheel from its frame. Be mindful of connecting chains or motor cables (if still present) that might obstruct movement as you free it from its grip on the frame.

Make sure not to bend your bike's disc brake rotor if it has disc brakes.

Step 7: Repair or Replace the Tire

At this point, you can patch the flat or replace the inner tube as you would on any regular bike. If you’re not familiar with that part, it’s a simple process:

1. Deflate the tire completely.
2. Use tire levers to pry the tire off the rim.
3. Replace the inner tube or patch the hole.
4. Re-seat the tire on the rim and inflate it to the recommended pressure.

Step 8: Reinstall the Rear Wheel

Time to put the wheel back on:

1. Slide the wheel back into the frame, making sure the chain fits onto the rear sprocket.
2. Carefully align the disc brake rotor (if applicable) between the brake pads.
3. Make sure the wheel is seated evenly in the dropouts (the slots in the frame where the axle goes).

Pro tip: Watch for any washers or spacers you removed earlier and ensure they are back in the correct position.

Step 9: Tighten the Axle Nuts

Once the wheel is securely in its seat, use your wrench to tighten its axle nuts. For best results, start tightening by hand before tightening with your wrench—both should feel snug but not tight enough.

If there are any plastic caps covering the nuts on your bike, now is the time to reattach them.

Step 10: Reconnect the Motor Cable

To reattach the motor cable, align its connectors by aligning their arrows. If you had to cut one earlier, use another zip tie as necessary to secure it to the frame; just be careful that nothing dangles down that might get caught while riding!

Step 11: Flip the Bike Back Over and Test It

Carefully flip the bike back onto its wheels. Spin the rear wheel by hand to check everything moves smoothly. Check brakes. Give the chain a spin to ensure it's running correctly on sprockets. Ensure all components work as they should.

Once everything looks satisfactory, turn back on the power or install the battery again.

Final Tips

• Check tire pressure regularly to avoid flats in the future.
• Inspect the motor cable after every few rides to make sure it’s still secure.
• If you’re ever unsure or don’t feel confident, don’t hesitate to take your bike to a local shop for help.

And that's it! Switching out the rear wheel on an electric bike might seem complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes straightforward and can save time and money in the long run. Enjoy riding!