Despite the freezing weather, many enjoy indulging in winter sports, including skiing, sledding, and biking. So, if you enjoy biking, don’t part with your bike, as you can have some enjoyable moments with your e-bike in the snow.
It would be more awesome if you love challenges as the roads would be muddy and wet and potholes filled with water and more dirt on the road. If you are afraid of damaging your bike due to the wet weather and snow. This article presents tips for taking care of your e-bike during winter.
1). Switch Your Tires
Most e-bikes come with rubber tires that are meant for summer riding. However, if you want to ride your e-bike during winter, you’d have to replace it with studded tires that are hard-packed for winter.
During winter, the roads are constantly wet, and if you plan on riding around town often, studded tires are the best as they are slide-proof. It is also wise to look for tires that are puncture resistant as there is more debris on the road, with pine needles and thorns being more common. Fat tires without studs are also ideal for riding on soft and deep ice. Note that winter tires are more expensive, so start saving early.
2). Tire Pressure
During winter, take care not to overinflate your e-bike tires, as it would make them more prone to sliding. It’s best to run your tires under low pressure, especially when the roads are wet and muddy. The low pressure gives you more traction when riding.
3). Wipe Your Bike After Every Ride
Riding your e-bike during winter means your bike will get wet as slush is everywhere, and the wet snow may seep into your gears and brakes. Therefore, you are advised to wipe down your bike after every ride. Use an old cloth and wipe every part of your bike to prevent the salty snowy water from drying on your bike.
You can protect your bike’s frame using fenders; however, they do not protect the rims, chains, chainrings, or spokes.
4). Clean Your Chain
Since there is no way you can protect salty snow from getting on your e-bike chains, make sure to clean thoroughly. You can lubricate the chain using lubricants, and if there is dirt grime build-up, a chain solvent or take warm water and detergent and scrub with a toothbrush.
Alternatively, you can take your bike to a professional to clean it. Always apply chain lubricant to keep rust at bay.
5). Battery Care
The battery is crucial for your e-bike as you can’t ride without it. Therefore, ensure that it is at a temperature of at least 20 degrees Centigrade before you start charging. If you plug it when it’s frozen, you risk damaging its cells and lowering its lifespan.
Riding your e-bike when the weather is not totally frozen won’t cause any damage to your bike. However, you’ll notice a drop in your battery performance and speed when you ride in icy weather. This is normal, but you can avoid it by taking the battery inside the house while not riding. This helps keep the battery temperature up, helping it retain power.
If you don’t plan to ride your bike over the next few weeks, you’d better charge the battery or drain it completely before storing it.
6). Rust-Proof Your E-Bike
During the cold season, your bike is bound to get rusty as the metallic parts, including the frames, brakes, and chain, are exposed to water and moisture. Therefore, you should protect your bike from rust by making it rust-proof. You can spray rust-proof products, such as Rust Check, on every exposed metallic part.
For your chain, ensure it’s always well-lubricated before and after every ride, and clean it regularly. Inspect it for rust regularly, and always reapply if you notice it wearing off.
7). Don’t Ride Through Slush
It’s fun riding through a slush during winter. However, you are only risking your bike as the slush may seep into the parts of your bike and result in rust formation. Therefore, if you must ride through slush, ensure that you’ve coated your bike with the rust-proof product. And immediately after your ride, clean your bike, wipe down the water with a cloth and lubricate the chain. Then store your bike in a warm and dry shed.
8). Regular Deep Servicing
Similarly to cars and motorbikes, your e-bike also wears and tears. So, ensure that you conduct regular maintenance, especially after every season and, if possible, in between seasons. Due to the winter weather conditions, your tires, brake pads, and even chains may need to be replaced. So work with your bike mechanic to get your bike looking as good as new.
9). Outfit Your E-bike With a Mudguard
It’s easier to find an e-bike with a mudguard, but if your e-bike doesn’t have them on both wheels, fit it with some, as it will save you from going back home looking like you were playing in the mud. They will also keep your bike clean.
The front and rear wheels will spray dirt from all sides without a mudguard.
10). Store the Bike in a Dry Place
This applies to every season, as it would be negligence to leave your e-bike outside exposed to weather elements and theft. However, during winter, you’d better take your bike in the house because the rain and snow will damage its parts. This is especially so for the battery as it helps prolong its lifespan, retain more power, and enhance performance.
Final Thoughts
Cycling is fun and a great way to care for our overall health and unwind. Riding your e-bike during winter may seem daring due to the cold and the worse state of the road and biking trails, which is risky for your e-bike. However, the challenging part of it makes it exhilarating. Therefore, avoid parking your e-bike; ride throughout winter while using the tips in this article to maintain your e-bike in perfect condition.