Winterproof Your eBike: Prepare for the Coldest Time of the Year

Studies have shown that there is a specific drop in the number of cyclists during winter, but there is still a significant portion of cyclists who stay loyal to the activity. When cycling, itself, is a bit demotivating during winter, we can understand why a bike with electric components may not be an enticing choice of transportation for most of us.

Electric bikes are more powerful and faster, making them a very popular mode of transportation. Some may have a hard time believing that they can use an eBike during winter, but it works fine! Although, there are few things you can do to make the ride safer and better. This article may be able to help if you are generally curious how cycling with an electric bike is feasible during winter, continue reading below to know more. First, let’s learn why preparing your eBike for winter is essential.

How does winter affect your electric bike?

© Aventon

Electric bikes are designed with purpose in mind so there are specific models that are relatively more compatible for winter rides. Manufacturers have set specific temperature limits for their eBikes and we strongly recommend to check their manuals to know how to maintain them or their tolerance levels to continue having a safe ride during winter. During this season, some components in an eBike may behave differently at extreme temperatures. During winter, you might encounter some of these issues:

• Tires may have less grip

• Batteries may perform poorly

• Mechanical parts may wear

• Suspensions may perform inadequately

• Dirt build-up

Don’t worry, there are ways to mitigate these issues and manufacturers are continuously making efforts to combat these problems in the future. For now, let’s get over some steps that can be beneficial for when you decide to either use or store your electric bike — whichever you may need this coming winter.

What could you do to winter-proof your electric bike?

1. Store your eBike indoors

2. Charge the battery properly

3. Lubricate moving parts

4. Clean all parts

Let’s elaborate to help you further understand each one.

1. Store your eBike indoors
Storing the electric bike indoors is a crucial step in keeping it safe from cold weather to ultimately avoid corrosion. This is true for the bike, itself, as well as all of its components — especially electronic ones. These components are sensitive during winter, leading them to struggle with performance. For example, cold weather affects the battery as it messes up the chemical reaction within the cells. It makes the battery less dense so there is less useful energy. When storing your eBike over a long period of time, you could also remove rechargeable or removable parts like the battery or display.

What to do if I do not have enough space to keep my eBike indoors?
You might find mounts useful as they are designed to support the weight of your eBike. These mounts give you the option to store your eBike upright, hooked to the wall or ceiling, or parked on a rack.

Or get yourself the Yuba Fastrack and own a compact bike designed to stand vertically on its own!

© Yuba Bikes, See all Compact Yuba Bikes

 

2. Charge the battery properly
Consider following proper procedure in charging the battery of your eBike to keep your rides safe during winter. Take your bike indoors and remove the battery. You must allow the battery to recover from freezing temperature before hooking it up with the charger to avoid short circuit, fires, or irreversible damage. Charge the battery and avoid deep discharge, which occurs when the battery is left unused for a longer period of time. It is best to keep the battery around 40% to 60% to stay on the safe side because keeping it at full charge is just as bad as leaving it almost empty. If you are planning to leave the eBike unused, make sure to check the battery every now and then and charge when needed. Lastly, never leave the battery permanently charging.

3. Lubricate moving parts
The first thing you should remember is to avoid lubricating parts that are supposed to stay clean and dry. Lubricate only the moving parts on an eBike during winter whether you are using it or storing it. These parts include the chain, drivetrain, bearings, parts with suspension, cables, pivot of kickstand, hinges, and foldable joints. This is to avoid abrasion when dry parts are brushing against each other. Opt for special lubricants that double as protective liquid for metal parts to avoid rust and corrosion if the budget allows.

4. Clean all parts (Some parts may not work properly when not cleaned)
One of the most important steps in maintaining your eBike during winter is keeping it clean. This applies whether you are storing it away or using it. After every use, make sure to clean the bike to keep it operating properly. There are specific parts that you should prioritize and they are as follows:

• Brake pads and rotors - is the heart of safety of an eBike. Make sure that it is free of obstructions before using and clean it again after use.

• Belt or chain drive - remove dirt to protect them and avoid corrosion.

• Bike frame - wipe down the bike frame so salts or dirt won’t harden around it over time and you may also use a protective polish over it.

• Tires - rinse and remove dirt and chemicals picked up from the road to improve traction and prevent premature wear. Doing so can also help you find leaks or punctures

• Moving parts - clean the moving parts before lubricating them for efficiency.

Our Thoughts

All of these tips only aim to keep you and your eBike safe, so make sure to do them this winter. Although, cycling under any weather is crucial and riding with caution is always important. Your skill and preparedness can be your gear to enjoy cycling in winter with your electric bike.

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