How to Reset an Electric Bike Odometer

Resetting an electric bike “odometer” sounds simple—until you realize most e-bikes track more than one distance counter, and not all of them are meant to be cleared. The good news: in most cases you can reset the trip distance (Trip A/Trip B) in a few button presses. The part that usually can’t be reset is the total odometer (ODO), which is designed to stay permanent for maintenance tracking, warranty, and resale history.

This guide walks you through what you can reset, what you probably shouldn’t try to reset, and the most common ways to clear distance on popular e-bike display styles.

First, confirm which “odometer” you’re trying to reset

Most electric bikes show at least two distance numbers:

• Trip distance (TRIP / Trip A / Trip B): distance since you last reset it
• Total odometer (ODO): lifetime distance stored by the system (sometimes stored in the display, sometimes in the motor/controller)

If your goal is “start fresh for a new commute route” or “track range on this battery,” you almost always want Trip. If your goal is “make the bike look newer,” that’s typically tied to the total ODO—and that’s exactly why many systems lock it.

Why the total odometer often can’t be reset

On many e-bikes, the total odometer is intentionally difficult or impossible to clear through normal menus. Manufacturers do this for practical reasons:

• Maintenance schedules depend on accurate lifetime mileage
• Warranty claims may require lifetime mileage
• Resale transparency helps avoid fraud
• Safety/liability: service intervals for brakes, tires, chains, and battery health matter

So if you’re staring at “ODO” and hunting for a “reset” option, you may be looking for something the system simply does not offer.

The quick way to reset trip distance on most e-bike displays

Even though each display is different, the reset pattern is often similar: you navigate to the trip screen, then long-press a button or enter a settings menu.

Before you start, do these quick checks:

• Turn the bike on and keep it stationary
• If you have a removable battery, make sure it’s seated firmly (some displays glitch if power is unstable)
• Don’t reset while riding—some systems ignore inputs while moving

Method 1: Reset directly from the TRIP screen

On many button-style displays, you can reset the trip counter while the trip value is displayed.

Typical steps:

1. Press Mode / Power / i (varies) to cycle screens until you see TRIP, Trip A, or Trip B
2. Long-press one button for 2–5 seconds
3. The trip value drops to 0.0

Common button holds that often work (not universal):

• Long-press Mode
• Long-press Up
• Long-press Down
• Long-press Up + Down together

If nothing happens after a long-press, move to the settings-menu method below.

Method 2: Reset through the settings menu

Many displays require you to enter settings first, then choose “Clear,” “Reset,” or “Trip Reset.”

General pattern:

1. Hold Up + Down (or Mode + Up) for a few seconds to open settings

2. Scroll until you find something like:

• Trip Reset
• Clear Data
• Reset Trip
• Trip → 0

3. Confirm the action (often by pressing Mode)

Some systems separate “Trip Distance” from “Ride Time” and “Average Speed.” If you only want to clear distance but keep time data, read carefully before confirming.

Method 3: App-connected e-bikes (reset inside the app)

If your bike connects to a phone app, the display may show totals while the app controls what can be cleared. In these setups, you’ll usually be able to reset trip/ride data, but the total odometer may still be locked.

Common places to look in an e-bike app:

• Ride History → “Start new ride” / “Clear current ride”
• Dashboard → “Trip” → reset icon
• Settings → “Units & Trip” → reset trip

One gotcha: some apps store trip data per “ride session,” so closing the app can end the session automatically. If your “trip” keeps resetting by itself, that’s often the reason.

Common display styles and how they usually behave

Because e-bike displays vary a lot, it helps to identify what type you have before you push buttons randomly.

Simple LED displays (few lights, minimal screen)

These often do not show a true odometer. If they show distance at all, it may only be a session/ride distance that resets when the bike powers off, or it may not reset manually.

LCD displays with 3–5 buttons (Up / Down / Mode / Power / Light)

These are the most likely to allow:

• Easy Trip reset
• Sometimes Trip A and Trip B
• Total ODO shown but not editable

Mid-drive “brand ecosystem” displays

Systems designed around an integrated motor platform often lock the total ODO more strictly. You can usually clear:

• Trip distance
• Ride time
• Possibly “since last charge” stats
  But total ODO is typically permanent or dealer-level only.

What if you replaced the display and the odometer changed?

This is a common surprise: you install a new display and suddenly your mileage looks wrong.

Whether mileage is stored in the display or in the controller/motor depends on the system. That means:

• If mileage is stored in the display, swapping displays can “reset” the total (or show the donor display’s mileage)
• If mileage is stored in the controller/motor, swapping displays won’t change total ODO

If your mileage matters for resale or service records, note the old ODO before replacing parts and keep a simple log. It’s the cleanest way to avoid confusion later.

Troubleshooting: when the trip won’t reset

If your Trip reset isn’t working, it’s usually one of these issues:

• You’re on the wrong screen. Some displays only reset when TRIP is actively selected.
• Button lock is on. A few displays lock buttons after inactivity; unlock by a long press or a specific combo.
• The bike thinks it’s moving. If the speed sensor is misreading, it may block reset commands.
• Low voltage / unstable power. A loose battery connection can cause settings to fail to save.
• Firmware quirks. Rare, but some displays only allow reset after a full power cycle.

Quick fixes to try:

• Power off completely, wait 10 seconds, power on again
• Reseat battery and check display connector is fully seated
• Spin the wheel slowly and confirm speed reads 0 when stopped
• Try the settings-menu method instead of the TRIP-screen method

Conclusion

Resetting an electric bike odometer usually means resetting the trip counter, not the bike’s lifetime ODO reading. Most displays let you clear Trip A/Trip B in a few button presses or inside the settings menu, which is perfect for tracking commutes, battery range, and maintenance between services.

If your bike won’t reset, it’s often a screen-selection issue, a button lock, or a power/connection problem—so a quick power cycle and reseating connectors can make the reset “stick.” For total odometer changes, the safest approach is to treat it as permanent and keep a simple mileage log if you swap displays or components.

FAQs

Can I reset the total odometer (ODO) on my e-bike?

Most e-bikes do not allow total ODO reset through normal menus. Some systems may require dealer tools or won’t allow it at all.

Why can I reset Trip but not ODO?

Trip is designed for short-term tracking (range, commutes, workouts). Total ODO is designed for lifetime maintenance and record-keeping.

Will unplugging the battery reset the odometer?

Usually it resets nothing permanent. It may clear a temporary “current ride” counter on some bikes, but total ODO typically remains.

My trip resets every time I turn the bike off—how do I fix that?

That often points to a display/controller setting, a firmware behavior, or power not saving properly due to a loose connector or unstable battery connection.

I replaced my display and the mileage changed—what happened?

Some systems store mileage in the display, others in the controller/motor. If your system stores it in the display, a replacement display can show a different total.