Whether you love crisp morning rides or blowing away the cobwebs after a long day at work, the invigorating rush of cycling on a fresh winter’s day is a feeling like no other.
Plummeting temperatures and harsh weather conditions can be detrimental to an electric bike’s health and performance, whether it’s in use or not. But with the right maintenance, your e-bike will be fully capable of handling even the coolest of British winters.
What Impact Does Winter Have on Electric Bikes?
Wintry conditions may affect various elements of your e-bike, including the battery, tyres, frame and motor. Here are a few of the most important risks to be aware of:
- The lubricant in the motor can fail due to internal ice formation. In turn, this will increase friction and reduce your e-bike’s efficiency.
- In snowy and icy conditions, additional torque from the motor can cause rear tyres to spin out.
- Low temperatures can reduce e-bike battery performance by around 20%. Charging the battery when it’s cold can cause damage, too.
- Ingrained dirt, cold temperatures and snow can lead to a build-up of rust on your e-bike (e.g., on the brake and gear lines or chains).
5 Vital Tips to Maintain Your Electric Bike for Winter Riding
If you plan to continue riding your electric bike through the colder months, being prepared and conducting regular maintenance will go a long way towards boosting your safety and keeping your e-bike in good health.
- Plan ahead. Your e-bike battery will naturally have a reduced range when cold, so make sure it’s well charged before every journey. If the battery has been sitting in a chilly location for a while, bring it indoors and up to room temperature before your ride - think ahead, as this could take an hour or more. To keep your battery in the best health, use a thermal cover or store it indoors during particularly cold snaps.
- Keep your electric bike well lubricated. Regularly check key elements of your e-bike like the chain and motor gears, adding extra lubrication if needed. Special lubricants are available for use in colder temperatures.
- Protect your electric bike from the elements. Dirt and salt from wet, muddy, or icy roads could wreak havoc on your e-bike’s electronics. If your electric bike doesn’t already have them, mudguards are a great way to protect against this.
- Use the right tyres. Riding your electric bike in snow and ice can be hazardous, but there are steps you can take to increase your safety. If you’re planning on riding regularly during winter, consider investing in winter tyres with deeper tread depth for better control. Some riders choose to reduce their tyre pressure slightly during winter to create additional contact points with the road, but it’s important to do your own research and find out what’s best for your e-bike.
- Keep up with maintenance between rides. Maintaining your electric bike is important all year round, but it’s particularly crucial in winter when wear and tear is greater. Remove the battery and displays before cleaning your e-bike (these can be cleaned separately with a damp cloth if needed), clean your bike, and thoroughly check for any signs of damage. Regularly cleaning your electric bike will prevent dirt and salt from becoming ingrained and causing rust.
Quick Winter Electric Bike Maintenance Checklist for in use E-bikes
- Keep your electric bike in a dry, clean, and warm location between rides.
- Protect your e-bike battery with a thermal cover if stored outside or in a cold room.
- Bring the battery up to room temperature before using your e-bike or charging it.
- Check tyre pressure and adjust if needed, or change to appropriate winter tyres.
- Lubricate your e-bike regularly using a product suitable for low temperatures.
- Add mudguards to your e-bike to protect from salt and mud on the road.
- Clean your e-bike regularly, removing all dirt and salt.
- Check the motor, battery, tyres, brakes, gears, and lights before every ride.
What if Your E-bike is Going Into Storage?
Maintenance and battery care are still vital. If you’re retiring your e-bike to storage for the winter, make sure it’s fully clean and dry first. It’s always best to store your electric bike somewhere dry and clean during winter - preferably indoors. If you only have outdoor space, protect it from the elements with a good quality e-bike cover or tarpaulin.
How can you Maintain Your E-bike’s Battery in Winter Storage?
If your e-bike will stay outdoors during winter, maintain the battery’s health by removing it and storing it indoors. Being cold for long periods of time is detrimental to e-bike batteries; they do best in temperatures of 10-25C. Some modern e-bikes also have a handy battery management system you can use. With this in place, the battery will charge (or discharge) to 60% before going into hibernation mode. Find out more on general e-bike battery maintenance in our last blog post.
Quick Winter Electric Bike Maintenance Checklist for E-bikes in Storage
- Clean your e-bike thoroughly before retiring it to storage.
- Store your e-bike in a dry and clean indoor location.
- If stored outside, invest in a quality cover or tarpaulin.
- Keep the battery indoors at room temperature and keep up proper battery maintenance.
- Use your e-bike’s battery management system, if available.
Contact us at E-Bikes Express for More Information
Whether you wish to ride your e-bike through the winter or hang up your helmet until spring, proper maintenance will help keep your electric bike in tip top condition. Don’t be afraid to enjoy riding all year round – electric bikes are well-equipped to cope with British winters, and cycling is a great way to stay fit during the colder months.
For more advice on e-bike ownership in winter, or to find your ideal electric bike ready for next spring, reach out to us today.
