You Should Winterize Your E-Bike Now
Whether you plan to ride your e-bike during the winter months or plan to store it when it gets cold, there are a few simple maintenance tasks you should check off your list to keep your e-bike running smoothly. While it may not be obvious, a little care and attention as the seasons change will improve your bike’s performance and extend the life of your battery, brakes and frame.
Regular autumn service
Whether you plan to ride your e-bike in the winter or not, fall is a good time for lubrication, cleaning, and routine maintenance. Here’s what you should do in the fall as part of your regular maintenance schedule.
Protect from rust
Wipe down exposed parts and apply rust preventative to cables and other exposed metal parts.
Clean the frame thoroughly
Wipe the frame with a microfiber cloth. Getting rid of dirt and sand will help protect your e-bike’s paint from scratches and metal corrosion.
Check your headlights
Any lights you use at night or when it rains will be used more often in the winter as the days get shorter and the weather gets cloudier. If you plan to store your e-bike for the winter, it will be much easier to start riding again in the spring if all the lights are set up.
Lubricate the chain
Use a chain lube designed for e-bikes to lubricate your bicycle chain in the fall. This will help keep it from rusting and reduce friction as it moves through the gears.
Inspect your e-bike
Inspect your e-bike thoroughly to check for damage and make repairs before winter. Taking care of things now before the weather gets too cold or before they go into storage will save you headaches in the future.
What to do if you plan to continue riding
If you plan to continue riding through the winter, there are some steps you need to take to make your ride as smooth as possible. Since the colder months tend to have more moisture on the roads and temperatures can drop, you should check your supplies and maintenance before you experience weather issues with your bike.
Protect your e-bike from moisture
You can add extra moisture resistance to the LCD screen as well as the brake and shift cables to keep water out.
Take care of your battery
Store the battery above 50 degrees Fahrenheit as close to the time you plan to ride as possible. If the battery is non-removable, consider moving the entire bike inside so it can take longer to charge.
Buy winter tires
If you plan to drive on snow or ice, it is recommended to use special tires for safety reasons. Winter tires for softer snow have lugs for added traction and a wider surface area. Tires that perform better on packed snow and ice will have studs that allow them to bite into harder surfaces. You will need to check your specific model number to find the right tires for your specific e-bike.
If you plan to store your e-bike
To store your e-bike for the winter, there are some storage chores you need to tick off your list. Keeping your bike in good condition will make your ride easier in the spring.
Disconnect and save the battery
Batteries don’t do well in extreme temperatures, so if you can store the battery above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and with a charge level between 50 and 70 percent, you can protect it from damage.
Pump up your tires
It may seem like you don’t need to inflate your tires if you don’t plan on riding your e-bike in the winter, but if you plan to leave it on its wheels in storage, your tires may wear unevenly if they’re not properly inflated.
Dry your e-bike
Make sure that all your parts are completely dry and that the place you choose to store them is not damp. Dampness can cause rust or corrosion.