page 65 • DENAGO
WARNING: Frequent inspection of your Ebike is important to your safety.
Follow the Mechanical Safety Check in Section 1.C of this Manual before every ride.
Periodic, more detailed inspection of your Ebike is important. How often this more
detailed inspection is needed depends upon you.
You, the rider/owner, have control and knowledge of how often you use your Ebike,
how hard you use it and where you use it. Because your dealer cannot track your use,
you must take responsibility for periodically bringing your Ebike to your dealer for
inspection and service. Your dealer will help you decide what frequency of inspection
and service is appropriate for how and where you use your Ebike.
For your safety, understanding and communication with your dealer, we urge you to read
this Appendix in its entirety. The materials used to make your Ebike determine how and
how frequently to inspect.
Ignoring this WARNING can lead to frame, fork or other component failure,
which can result in serious injury or death.
A. Understanding metals
Steel is the traditional material for building Ebike frames. It has good characteristics,
but in high performance Ebikes, steel has been largely replaced by aluminum and some titanium.
The main factor driving this change is interest in lighter Ebikes by cycling enthusiasts.
Properties of Metals
Please understand that there is no simple statement that can be made that characterizes the
use of different metals for Ebikes. What is true is how the metal chosen is applied is much more
important than the material alone. One must look at the way the Ebike is designed, tested,
manufactured, supported along with the characteristics of the metal rather than seeking
a simplistic answer.
Metals vary widely in their resistance to corrosion. Steel must be protected, or rust will attack it.
Aluminum and Titanium quickly develop an oxide film that protects the metal from further
corrosion. Both are therefore quite resistant to corrosion. Aluminum is not perfectly corrosion
resistant, and particular care must be used where it contacts other metals and galvanic corrosion
can occur.
Metals are comparatively ductile. Ductile means bending, buckling, and stretching before
breaking. Generally speaking, of the common Ebike frame building materials steel is the most
ductile, titanium less ductile, followed by aluminum.