Icy temperatures, piercing wind and early darkness. This sounds rather uncomfortable and not exactly outdoor fun. True, but it doesn’t have to be an obstacle if you want to be riding your electric bike in winter. The prospect of whizzing through the cold at 25 km/h may not necessarily be something to cheer about, but there are definitely ways and means of mitigating the weather and still enjoying the ride.
Because, true to an old hiking motto, there is no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong clothing. And in this case, poor preparation of your electric bike for winter. If you arrange your bike and yourself properly for the cold season, it will remain a practical means of transportation in everyday life and leisure even at low temperatures.
However, you should bear a few special features in mind, as road conditions or sleet are much more challenging than the average midsummer. We’ll show you what you can do and how to ride your electric bike safely in winter.
Can I Even Ride My eBike in Winter?
As long as your home or garage are not so snowed in that you can no longer take the bike out onto the road, or it resembles an ice rink: definitely. However, a few special rules apply if you want to ride your electric bike in winter.
Your Battery in Winter
Pay particular attention to the e-bike battery. Performance can drop in the cold, so it is important that the battery be always fully charged. It is best to store it at room temperature and only insert it shortly before your ride, unless it is already weather-protected in the frame, as is the case with Ampler bikes.
Safety in Ice and Snow
Choosing the right tires is crucial in cold weather. Special winter tires or tires with good grip offer more stability on snow and ice.
And adapt your riding style to the conditions: Accelerate more smoothly, maintain greater distances, and avoid abrupt braking and fast cornering. Because as tempting as the performance of your e-bike may be, arriving safely during the cold season is even more of a priority than it already is.
Also ensure good visibility. Shorter days and bad weather require working lights on your e-bike and bright, reflective clothing — so that smart black winter coat is not a great choice.
Don’t forget to service your e-bike regularly, either. Snow, mud and even road salt can damage it. Clean it regularly and pay particular attention to the brakes and electrical components.
How to Winterize Your E-bike
This term is used for quite a few products without us having any real idea of what it actually means in a specific case. However, if you want to be riding your electric bike in winter, certain requirements must be met in theory and practice for your e-bike to really be considered winter-proof.
Fortunately, you can take most of the precautions yourself:
- Battery care: It is the heart of your e-bike. However, a conventional lithium-ion battery loses power more quickly in the cold. Therefore, store it in a warm room and only use it shortly before your ride.
- Fit winter tires: As already mentioned, special winter tires or tires with better grip are essential. They offer more stability and safety on slippery surfaces.
- Check the lights: As it gets dark earlier in winter, good lighting is important. Test whether all the lights are working and whether they are bright enough to make you and the bike visible. If not, you should retrofit them.
- Check the brakes: Check the brakes on your e-bike. Moisture and cold can affect their performance. Make sure they are correctly adjusted and replaced if necessary. This applies in particular to mechanical disc brakes.
- Chain maintenance: The chain should be cleaned and lubricated regularly. This is essential if road salt and road dirt are present, as these materials can have a corrosive effect.
- Protect electrical contacts: The electrical connections of your e-bike should be protected from moisture. Use special protective sprays to prevent corrosion.
- Protect the bike frame: Salt and dirt can also damage the frame of your e-bike. Regular cleaning and, if necessary, a protective layer of wax can help here.
- Check suspension and damping: If your e-bike has suspension, make sure it works properly in low temperatures.
10 Tips for Safely Riding Your Electric Bike in Winter
It may take a little effort at first, but once you’ve taken the plunge, you’ll soon realize that riding an electric bike in winter is just as practical and enjoyable an experience as in summer. With these 10 tips, you can ride particularly safely during the cold season:
- Pay attention to your clothing: wear warm, weatherproof clothing that protects you from the cold without restricting your freedom of movement. Layers are the key here — the onion principle sends its regards.
- Wear reflective gear: As it gets dark earlier, it is important that you and your e-bike are clearly visible to other road users in winter. Reflective clothing and accessories on your bike can help.
- Use gloves and warm shoes: Your hands and feet cool down quickly when cycling, especially at higher speeds. So wear gloves and waterproof, insulated shoes.
- Ride defensively and carefully: Be very attentive and be prepared for slippery spots such as slabs of ice, manhole covers or wet leaves. This is especially true on uneven roads. Keep your distance and don’t drive too fast.
- Practice braking: Braking on slippery roads is different from braking on dry surfaces. Test your braking behavior on a safe, slippery surface to get a feel for it.
- Avoid abrupt movements: Avoid sudden acceleration, sharp turns or abrupt braking to avoid losing control of your electric bike in winter.
- Switch on the lights: Sounds simple, but as we only switch it on in the evening in summer, it still takes some getting used to — in winter, you should never do your laps without the lights on.
- Pay attention to your route: if possible, avoid roads that have not been cleared or gritted. Plan your route in advance and adapt it to the weather conditions.
- Wear a helmet: Often neglected, but even more important for your personal health in winter. Because even if you ride extremely carefully, minor falls are still more likely in winter weather than in spring.
- Check your tire pressure: The correct tire pressure is particularly important in the cold season, as tires usually lose pressure more quickly at lower temperatures. This can lead to less grip on the road.
Storing Your eBike in Winter
Are you too nervous to be riding your electric bike in winter? Then you need to store it properly so that you are not greeted by bike or battery damage in the spring. However, proper storage not only protects your bike from damage, but also ensures that it is ready for use again as soon as temperatures rise.
- Thorough cleaning: Before you put your e-bike into storage, you should clean it thoroughly. Remove dirt, dust and any salt residue to prevent corrosion and other damage.
- Battery care: The battery of your e-bike requires special attention. Remove the battery and store it in a dry, cool place, but not in frosty conditions. The optimum temperature is 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. The ideal charge level for long-term storage is around 40–60%.
- Check the tire pressure: Pump the tires up to the normal pressure. This prevents them from deforming if the bike is left standing for a long time.
- Lubricate mechanical parts: Lubricate all moving parts, including the chain and gear components, to prevent rust.
- Choose a storage location: Similar to the battery, choose a dry, weatherproof location for your bike — for example, in the basement. Avoid places where there are large temperature fluctuations or high humidity.
- Use a protective cover: Cover your e-bike with a protective cover to protect it from dust and dirt.
- Regular checks: Even if you are not using your e-bike, you should check the condition of the bike and the battery regularly.
- Take safety into account: However, you certainly don’t want to carry out this check every day. So make sure that your e-bike is stored in a safe place to prevent theft or damage.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Using Your Electric Bike in Winter
Can I use my e-bike in snow and ice?
Yes, you definitely can. However, you must adapt your electric bike and your riding style to the winter conditions. Make sure you have suitable tires and be careful when choosing your speed and braking.
How does the cold affect the battery performance of my e-bike?
Cold weather can reduce the performance and range of the battery. It is advisable to store the battery at room temperature and only insert it into the e-bike shortly before riding.
What should I do if my e-bike gets wet in winter?
In this case, you should dry your e-bike thoroughly after your ride. Take special care to ensure that no moisture penetrates electrical components or bearings. If necessary, you should clean and relubricate the chain.
How often should I service my electric bike in winter?
The maintenance intervals can vary depending on the frequency of use and the conditions in which you ride. However, it is advisable to check and service your e-bike more often than usual, especially if you regularly ride your e-bike in challenging weather conditions.
Conclusion
Winter is certainly not the favorite season for passionate e-bike riders. But with the right preparations and a few safety precautions, it is not an absolute temperature ordeal.
From careful maintenance and care of the battery to choosing the right tires and clothing and adapting to changing road conditions — all these aspects will help you to ride your electric bike safely in winter.
These tips didn’t convince you to enjoy winter cycling? Then, storing your bike correctly is important, as it protects your electric bike from the winter weather and ensures that it is ready for use in spring.
At Ampler, we can’t get rid of winter and low temperatures, but we can ensure that you can navigate safely through urban canyons even in sub-zero temperatures with robust and stable bikes.
Our bikes, such as the Juna model, have extremely bright front lights and rear lights integrated into the mudguard. This makes you a beacon of light even in the deepest darkness, and ensures your safety when using your electric bike in winter.
Ready to kickstart the New Year with a positive impact? Join Ampler’s Car-Free New Year Challenge and experience the joy of riding… even in the winter! Embrace the chance to win a share of our exciting winter gear related prize pool and the grand prize – a brand new Ampler e-bike of your choice. Transform your commute, reduce your carbon footprint, and let’s kick of 2024 in style. Read more from here!
