By Sheri Rosenbaum and Mitch Rosset
Price: $34.99
Bits: T30 Torx Bit, 5mm and 6mm Hex
Availability: Online and retail
How obtained: Company sample
RBR advertiser: No
The Perfect Tool for the Job
EBike’s high torque motor makes drivetrain maintenance critical. However, if you are new to eBikes, you probably assume lubing the chain is the same as any other bike in your stable. Yep, that’s what Mitch thought, too, until he went to lube his new eBike for the first time. So you see, when you spin the crank backward on an eBike, the chain doesn’t move, making it virtually impossible to clean and lube. For example, some people will use a screwdriver or an Allen key and poke it through a hole in the chainring. The problem is that you can damage your crank, frame, or motor casing, as shown in this Muc-Off video.
Muc-Off designed a safer and more convenient tool to maintain, clean, and lube an eBike drivetrain. Stored inside this Aluminum housing are three bits that fit most chainring bolts (T30 Torx bit, 5mm Hex, and 6mm Hex). Simply choose the right bit, and the magnetic receiver holds it in place. Then, put the bit in the chainring bolt and turn the crank backward. One caution: either remove the lanyard that comes with the tool or watch that you don’t accidentally get it stuck between the chain and the chainring.
As the crank spins backward, so does the chain, making it easy to clean and lube it. The tool has a silicone sleeve to protect the crank as you pedal backward. The tool’s compact size is perfect for tossing in your saddlebag and taking anywhere you might need to go.
Bottom Line
It makes life easier when you have the right tool for the job. For example, when lubing the chain of your eBike, Muc-Off’s drivetrain tool makes it easier and safer. Avoid damaging your crank, frame, or motor casing with an Allen key or screwdriver; the $35 you spend on this tool will keep your bike safe.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
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