You Should Winterize Your E-Bike Now

If you plan to ride your e-bike during the winter months, or if you plan to store it when it gets cold, there are some simple maintenance tasks you should check off your list to keep your e-bike running smoothly. While it might not be obvious, a little bit of TLC as the seasons change will improve the performance of your bike and make the battery, brakes, and frame last longer.

Regular fall maintenance

Whether or not you plan to ride your e-bike during the winter, fall is a good time to do some lubrication, cleaning, and routine maintenance. Here’s what you should do in the fall as a part of your regular maintenance schedule.

Defend against rust

Wipe off exposed parts and apply a rust prevention product to cables and other exposed metal parts.

Thoroughly clean the frame

Wipe down the frame with a microfiber cloth. Getting rid of dirt and grit will help keep the paint on your e-bike from getting scratches and exposing the metal to rust.

Check your lights

Any lights that you use at night or when it’s raining are going to be in use more frequently during 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 your lights are all set.

Lubricate your chain

Use an e-bike-specific chain lube to grease your bike chain in fall. This will help it keep from getting rusted and reduce friction as it moves through the gears.

Inspect your e-bike

Give your e-bike a good once-over to check for any damage and address repairs before winter. Getting things taken care of now before the weather gets too cold or before storage will save you headaches down the road.

What to do if you plan to keep riding

If you plan to continue riding during the winter, there are some steps to take to make the ride as smooth as possible. Since there’s usually more moisture on the roads in colder months, and the temperature can drop, you should get supplies and maintenance checked off your list before you experience a weather-related issue with your bike.

Protect your e-bike against moisture

You can add some extra moisture resistance to your LCD screen and brake and gear cables to keep water out.

Take care of your battery

Store your battery above 50 degrees Fahrenheit as close as possible to when you plan to ride. If your battery isn’t removable, consider bringing your whole bike inside to keep a longer charge.

Get some snow tires

If you plan to ride on snow or ice, specialized tires are recommended for safety. Snow tires for softer snow have knobs for extra traction and a wider surface area as well. Tires that work better for packed snow and ice will have studs to dig into a harder surface. You’ll need to check your specific model number for the right tires for your particular e-bike.

If you plan to store your e-bike

To store your e-bike for the winter, there are some storage-specific chores to check off your list. Keeping your bike in good condition will make it much easier to ride come spring.

Disconnect and store the battery

Batteries don’t do well in extreme temperatures, so if you can store your battery at above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and with between a 50 and 70 percent charge, you can help protect it from damage.

Inflate your tires

It might not seem like you need to put air in the tires if you don’t plan to ride your e-bike during the winter, but if you plan to rest it on the wheels in storage, the tires can develop uneven wear if they’re not properly inflated.

Dry out your e-bike

Make sure all your parts are thoroughly dry and that the place you choose for storage isn’t damp. Dampness can be an invitation for rust or corrosion.