Avoid Excessive Amounts Of Water
Okay, sure, weve spent most of this article explaining to you why and how electric bikes can be used in the rain. Electric bikes can be used in the rain.
However, that doesnt mean you should go plowing through big puddles, taking your electric bike out in a downpour, or going mudding. Youre on a bike, not a submarine, remember?
As we mentioned, no electric bike is waterproof, only water resistant, so its important to avoid taking your electric bike in excessive amounts of water!
How Wet Is Too Wet Water Resistance Ratings
This is where the caveat and common sense come into play. While riding in the rain is definitely possible there are limits to some of the housings around components on an ebike. Each electric bike will have a specific rating for how water resistant they are, from no specific, tested protection to protection from low-pressure water jets or even submersion . These levels of protection can be rated based on the Ingress Protection code .
A summary of the typical IP codes can be found below, with the code rating in the form of IP## where the first digit indicates the level of dust protection and the second digit indicates the level of liquid protection . Typical IP6# ratings range from IP60 protected from dust by not liquids, to IP68 which is completely dustproof and waterproof to 2m depth for 30 mins .
Electric bikes fall somewhere in between these two levels of protection. Some examples of current ebike components where Ive found IP ratings:
- The Bafang Max motor, controller and display are all IP65, which means theyre completely dustproof and heavily water-resistant.
- Bafang Motors and other Bafang Components are generally rated IP65
- Bafang Batteries are generally rated IP66
- The Bosch Active Line and Performance Line motors are rated to IP54 dust and splash water protected. The following brands use Bosch components in some or all of their bikes.
- Shimano Steps Battery IPX5
IP Rating Table Guide
| Continuous immersion |
The Basics Of Electric Bikes
When you think of electric bikes, the first thing that might come to mind is something along the lines of a motorcycle or moped. While those things can both be electric, theyre not electric bikes and electric bikes look a lot different.
Electric bikes are essentially regular bicycles with a few extra electrical components, like a controller, a battery and a motor.
How do they work, though?
Electric bikes are operated the same way standard bicycles areby good, old fashioned pedals, handlebars, and brakes. The difference is that, of course, electric bikes have electric components the electrical components on electric bikes build on the human power it takes to operate a bike .
There are different types of motors, batteries, and controllers for electric bikes that we wont get into here, but those different parts can make a world of difference when it comes to riding electric bikes in the rain.
The most important thing to know about electric bikes is where all your electrical components are located. When you know where parts like your motor, battery, and controller are located, you can aim to protect them from water damage. Lets talk about why.
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Can I Leave My Ebike In The Cold
When it comes to the cold, you should never leave your electric bike outside. This will affect the battery, which will be less efficient. It will also take longer to charge. In cold weather, its better to remove the battery from the bike and store it indoors, but you can charge it outdoors in warm weather.
Although the risk of battery damage is low, its a good idea to leave your bike in a warm area to avoid damage to the battery. The batteries in electric bikes prefer a temperature range of 10 to 25 degrees. You should move your bike inside for longer breaks and during working hours.
Although you shouldnt leave your electric bike outside in the cold, it is okay to ride your e-bike outside in the cold. However, you should be aware of the fact that riding an e-bike in temperatures below 60oF can shorten its battery life by 50%. Once the temperatures rise, battery life will increase again.
How To Make My E
Making your bike more water-resistant is important, especially if you live in locations prone to experiencing lots of rain or humidity.
It would be best to make additional adjustments like wrapping your electric bikes display and control panel with a plastic bag and even waterproofing it with a special spray. Read on to find out how you can do this.
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Use Mudguards To Avoid Dirt
During the monsoon, Indian roads are filled with rainwater and dirt that can damage your ebike. You should use fenders also known as mudguards to prevent the bike body from dirt and rainwater. It is one of the best solutions to prevent your electric bike from getting rust.
A set of mudguards always keep your bike safe from mud and grime while riding on wet roads and hence increase the life of your ebike.
There are many types of bike fenders available in the market out there. So, get a set of fenders for your electric bicycle before riding in the rain.
What Should We Do If The Display Of Our Electric Bike Gets Wet With Water
In the unfortunate event that your electric bikes display gets water inside of it, the best thing to do is to treat it similar to a wet cellphone.
First, you want to open it up and dry it out as best as possible by wiping it down and leaving it to dry for a few days. Dont turn it on until at least three days of frying have gone by, or else you risk it short-circuiting.
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Tip No : Weatherproof Your Stuff
Lets imagine a hypothetical ride. Its Saturday, and you decide to head downtown and check out some of the second-hand stores. At one place you find a pastel suit jacket that reminds you of Don Johnson in Miami Vice. Another store has a vintage lava lamp you cant live without, but the real find is a dusty box of records in a consignment shop.You discover a nearly perfect copy Curtis Fullers the Opener on Blue Note Records. Its worth about $3,100 in mint condition. You buy it for a measly $20, put it in a canvas bag, and start the ride home. That is when the rain falls.The point is clear, you want to be able to keep your stuff dry when you ride wet, whether that stuff is a classic vinyl record, a paperback novel, or your laptop.For many electric bike riders, the best choice will be seam-sealed waterproof pannier bag, backpack, or shoulder bag. It can also be a good idea to have a few ziplock bags on hand. A small laptop will fit in a large freezer bag. An iPhone or Android fits in a typical sandwich bag.
Tips And Hacks For Riding An Electric Bike In The Rain
While the motor and battery might be in a water-resistant housing, the rest of the bike isnt. Moisture causes rusting of many components of the bike. The first thing to do when you bring in your e-bike from the rain is to drain it. Take the seat and seat post off the bike. Turn the bike upside down. Let it drain for at least four hours before putting back the seat and seat post.
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Can You Ride An Electric Bike In The Rain: The Conclusion
The final answer is yes, you can ride an electric bike in the rain but you should avoid riding in excessive rain because an ebike is water-resistant, itâs not fully waterproof.
Also, you must follow the above-mentioned tips to ride an ebike during the monsoon in order to ensure the safety of an electric bike and battery.
Please share your thoughts on this and ask any questions you have about this article in the comments section. Iâll get back to you as soon as possible.
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Clean Bike After Ride
Maintaining your electric bikes will extend its lifespan and keep it in good shape. As we have already noted, e-bikes can get wet and as you ride in rain, your bike will gather mud and dirt.
The lubricant for the chain is to help the drivetrain maintain its efficiency and shift smoothly. Polish the top tube after cleaning the chain and do not use lubricants on rotors, rims or brake pads.
Many bikes do not have protection against high pressure so avoid using high pressure water to wash your bike. Also, never use compressed air to dry it because it might make some water seep into the bearings and electrical parts since electric bikes are not waterproof, and mixing water and electricityTrusted SourceConductivity and Water | U.S. Geological SurveyWater and electricity dont mix, right? Well actually, pure water is an excellent insulator and does not conduct electricity. The thing is, you wont find any pure water in nature, so dont mix electricity and water. Our Water Science School page will give you all the details.www.usgs.gov is dangerous, unless it is pure water.
Clean the rim brakes and pivot joints to prevent braking issues from accumulated dirt.
After wiping the electric bike with a damp cloth, remove the battery and use a dry, clean rag to clean the battery and electrical components like the metal leads.
Additional tips:
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Do Cover Your Battery And Display If Travelling
If you are travelling somewhere in the rain with your ebike mounted on an external carrier then take care with moisture getting into your battery or display. This is more of a concern for longer trips however something to be aware of as when on or behind a moving car the force of the rain is multiplied, a bit like a gurney.
Displays and batteries can be susceptible to getting moisture so for longer trips it is recommended to protect them.
There are bespoke covers available that you can purchase and you can also make your own if handy. For example a neoprene cover with velcro.
If you remove your battery and put it in the car then, for some styles of batteries and display, you can purchase battery plates or pin covers to help keep the weather out. See what we have on offer here> > .
Riding An Ebike In The Wet Can Be Fun
Rainy weather, even a rain event, is not a reason to stop riding. In fact it can be great fun, especially if you don’t have an accident or damage your ebike!
We hope these tips help make your next ride just as enjoyable as your sunny ones.
If you have an issue that you would like our service centre to take a look at you can book your ebike in HERE> >
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The Difference Between Rain And Water Resistance On E
Rain is a force of nature that can ruin an outdoor ride. The difference between e-bike rain resistance and water resistance on an e-bike refers to the water repellent finish.
With water resistance on, the bike will get wet in extreme rain conditions but it will not get damaged. With rain resistance, the bike wont get wet but it will still be vulnerable to damage.
What Water Resistant Means
Since youre not going to take your electric bike muddin as you would a Jeep, the waterproof factor of the bike doesnt matter. Youre not going to ride your bike down the middle of a river, nor are you going to ride in rain so bad it soaks you to the skin instantly. So, just what is water-resistant in an electric bike?
Well, lets examine another electronic gadget none of us are ever without. Your smartphone cant even be taken apart to remove the battery like previous phones could. That capability is what keeps water out of your phone when youre around dishwater and drop your phone in it.
The kicker is that if the phone stayed in the dishwater long enough, it would die altogether. If you had taken your phone out of the water, dried it off, and jammed it in a bowl of uncooked rice or grits, the food would have absorbed the water. My daughter has a love/hate relationship with phones in the vicinity of water. Thats how I know about the grits
This is the practical meaning of water resistant. Your e-bike and its electronics are going to get wet in the rain. It wont die, however, unless you leave it out in the rain long enough for the water to soak through the protective casing around the motor and battery.
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Avoid Riding Through Puddles And Potholes
The condition of roads in India is bad, and worst for cyclists. There are a lot of puddles and potholes on Indian roads. These are filled with rainwater during the monsoon season. Also, cycling in India is a challenge for Cyclists.
Avoid riding through these puddles and potholes, otherwise, the battery of your ebike will be damaged. Because the battery of e-bikes is safely fixed in the bike body so ride the bike slow during rain and avoid puddles and potholes.
Always Slow Down And Apply Your Brakes Early
As much as riding in the rain can be fascinating, it is better to slow down as opposed to riding at faster speeds. This helps you to avoid accidents, which may be due to wet roads and poor visibility.
Even if riding harder and quicker actually keeps you warm, youll want to avoid going too fast with your e-bike. A wet road and bad visibility mean you wont have much time to react to puddles and obstructions while in fast mode. This can result in accidents and probably damage your electric bike.
The need for slow speeds is more pronounced for an electric bike as opposed to an ordinary bicycle. E-bikes with power-on-demand and pedal-assist are capable of maintaining high average speeds in every weather condition. Hence, take a little extra time to ride your electric bike in harsh weather conditions.
Applying your brakes means youre slowing down, but it does more work when you use it early. When you ride your electric bike in wet weather, it takes more time to stop while applying the brake. You will want to slow down gently to avoid tumbling.
The aim of adding a motor system to an e-bike is to give you as the rider a new power source. Often, e-bikes allow riders to control the motor system power production and start time. This offers you a wide range of riding options from pedal-assist, to full pedalling, and full motor assist. All of these options allow you to fine-tune every ride experience, providing fun and ecstasy.
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Find A Bike Fit For Your Climate
Some e-bikes will suit your climate better than others. If you live in an environment with few rainy days like California or the dry deserts of Arizona, you can get away with an IPX3. However, opt for an IPX5 if you live in New York, so your e-bike has a higher chance of working after an unexpected thunderstorm.
A higher IP rating is always better, but they come at a price. Make sure to read the user manual carefully for every e-bike to ensure it will hold up against snow, sleet, and rainfall.
Waterproofing Ebike Using Spray
You could also use a special waterproofing spray to waterproof your bikes electronics.
One of the best spray brands you can trust is the ACF50. Its a common product often used in aircraft maintenance and repair, and its effects remain for up to 2 years before needing another coat.
You should apply it to your e-bikes electronic components to protect them from water damage. The product is available online or in local stores.
You can use other products like Neverwet or Corrosion X to achieve the same results.
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Get The Right Electric Bike For Your Climate
This tip is for those who havent yet purchased an electric bike. As we previously mentioned, if you live somewhere in which you anticipate a lot of rain, youll want to make sure to get an electric bike with a higher IP rating that is, an electric bike that can withstand more water.
Think about the climate where you live and how much you plan on riding your electric bike on rainy days. Is your electric bike the mode of transportation you will always be using? Do you plan on using a car or public transit on rainy days rather than your electric bike?
These are all questions you should take into consideration before purchasing an electric bike. Once youve considered how much rain youll experience and how often you plan on riding your electric bike in the rain, you can buy a bike that can better withstand water.
Theres plenty of electric bicycles that are rated for a variety of climates and some that can even be ridden in the snow!
Can I Clean My Electric Bike With Water
Of course, but youll need to ensure that youre using a light cleaning method, such as washing with an outdoor hose, a sponge, or a high-quality bike cleaner. Avoid rinsing your electric bike with a high-pressure air of water jet, as the heavy force may be enough to drive out factory grease in the bearings or even cause damage to the frame.
While the frame of your bike can be cleaned with water, its recommended to clean disc brakes with an appropriate disc brake cleaner. For a smooth cleaning experience, always remove the battery ahead of cleaning your bike – this will allow for maximum safety as well as the chance to thoroughly clean down the frame underneath.
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