Many outdoor pursuits come to a natural conclusion in the murky winter months, but riding your electric bike needn’t be one of them. While e-bikes aren’t completely waterproof, they can typically be enjoyed all year round with the right care.
How do E-bikes Work?
Electric bikes offer assistance with pedalling from a battery-powered motor (and sometimes a throttle). This assistance makes challenging uphill rides more accessible, and allows the rider to get from A to B quicker and without having to work up too much of a sweat. To find out more about e-bike batteries, read our in-depth blog post here. E-bikes are popular among commuters and delivery drivers, but are also commonly used for leisure, running errands, or even sports like mountain biking.
How Does Water Exposure Affect Electric Bikes?
Most electric bikes are water resistant. This means that while they’re not fully waterproof, riding in the rain is typically not a problem. With the right maintenance, you should be able to enjoy your e-bike all year round – even if you’re caught in one of the UK’s many unpredictable rain showers. Regardless, it’s still worth knowing how your e-bike could be affected by moisture, and how good electric bike maintenance can help.
Potential Consequences of Excessive Water Exposure
• Corrosion occurs when oxygen and water react with metal. Corrosion leads to rust, which can eventually degrade e-bike components and lead to issues like poor electrical conductivity and overall reduced efficiency.
• Short circuits occur when moisture gets inside the battery and interferes with the electrics. As well as potentially causing poor performance and permanent damage to the battery, short circuits can also lead to significant safety issues like overheating and fires.
• Motor failure may occur if an electric bike is immersed in flood water or a river; water pressure can infiltrate the seals protecting the e-bike’s electrical components.
How Much Water can an E-bike Handle?
This varies from one model to the next. Very few electric bikes are completely waterproof (a waterproof e-bike could be completely submerged in water without sustaining any damage). As a rule of thumb, most electric bikes are water resistant enough to cope with being used in standard UK rain showers, but might run into problems if they’re left outside in heavy rain for a long time. Check your e-bike’s IP rating to find out how well equipped it is to deal with moisture.
What are IP Ratings?
Some electric bikes are more water resistant than others. An Ingress Protection (IP) rating tells you how well a product can cope with dirt, dust, and moisture. The rating consists of two numbers; the first indicates how well protected it is against dirt and dust, and the second indicates resistance to moisture. For example, if an e-bike has a rating of IP54, all hazardous parts are protected from contact with dust, and the bike is protected from water splashing from any angle.
Electric bikes with poorer IP ratings (i.e., lower than IP43) may be less suitable for use in wet weather conditions. This article by Electric Bike Report provides a great deep dive into the IP rating system and what it means for e-bikes.
Electric bikes can be damaged by extreme water exposure, but with the right precautions and care you should be able to safely use your e-bike in the rain.
5 Tips for Riding Your Electric Bike in the Rain
1. Choose the right tyres. If you plan to ride your e-bike in the rain, consider the suitability of your tyres. Opting for tyres with wider treads and better grip can offer improved stability on slick, wet surfaces. For example, Ezego’s 20” x 1.75” Kenda Kwik Journey tyres feature deep sipes for channelling water, knurled shoulder knobs, and reflective tape for better night-time visibility.
2. Protect yourself and your belongings. Wear waterproof clothing, and store essentials like your GPS, mobile phone, food, and first aid kit in a sealed water resistant or waterproof dry bag, pannier, or storage pod.
3. Wear visible clothing and use lights. Wet weather often comes hand in hand with gloomy skies and reduced visibility. Invest in reflective clothing, and make sure your electric bike has good quality lights switched on at all times. Not only will this help you see your surroundings, but it’ll make you more visible to other road users.
4. Take extra care. Much like driving a car, riding a bike in the rain requires extra caution. Keep a good distance between you and any vehicles in front, brake earlier and gentler, and watch out for standing water and hidden potholes.
5. Don’t ride through deep water that could submerge electrics. As we’ve already discussed, while electric bikes are very water resistant, they’re not 100% waterproof. Being submerged in water will damage electrical components like the battery and motor.
Maintaining Your E-bike When Riding in the Rain
While the above steps will help you take care of yourself and your electric bike when riding in the rain, establishing a routine to protect your e-bike after a wet ride is important, too. The following checklist covers five essentials you should prioritise after rainy rides to keep your e-bike healthy and extend its lifespan. For more details on winter electric bike maintenance and storage, take a look at this blog post.
After Your Ride: 5 Electric Bike Maintenance Tips
1. Quickly wash off any dirt and debris. Avoid using a high-pressure water jet, as this can push water into sealed compartments and cause electrical failure or corrosion.
2. Dry your electric bike with a microfibre towel or rag. Focus on areas vulnerable to water damage like the battery, display, and motor.
3. Apply more wet lube to the chain if required. Wipe off any excess.
4. Store your electric bike indoors or protect it with a waterproof cover. If you’re keeping your e-bike outdoors, remove the battery and store it inside.
5. Check the electrical components for corrosion or wear and tear. While you don’t necessarily need to do this after every ride, it’s wise to keep a closer eye if you’re riding in challenging conditions.
Still unsure about IP ratings, or want to make sure you choose an electric bike with the right level of water resistance for your needs? Browse our online store, or get in touch to speak to an expert.
