How To Protect Your E-Bike In Winter

When the colder weather hits, it’s important to weatherproof your e-bike to ensure it stays in optimum condition.

If you’re brave enough to face the freezing weather and cycle in the cold, your e-bike will need extra care to keep it performing and get you safely from A to B.

For those who see cycling as a warm-weather sport and won’t use their bike throughout the winter, you must store your e-bike correctly, so it’s ready to hit the road when better weather arrives.

Follow our guide as we explore how to protect your e-bike in the cold and rain and the best way to store your bike during wet winter weather. 

Table of Contents

1. Is it bad to leave my bike outside in the cold?
2. How to keep e-bike batteries warm in winter
3. How do I keep my e-bike from rusting?
4. How to store your e-bike for the winter

Is it bad to leave your e-bike outside in the cold?

Leaving your e-bike outside in the cold can cause the charge to reduce in the battery. 

Electric batteries use a gel-like substance to transfer electrical energy from the cells around the battery. However, when the battery drops below 5°C, the gel stiffens and cannot move as freely as it would at a warmer temperature. 

The colder the battery becomes, the stiffer the gel, the more the charge reduces, and the harder it becomes to charge. If the bike is stored in a cold place overnight, the reduced charge can impact your morning commute, especially if you plan to travel a long distance.  

Aside from the battery, leaving your bike outside can damage the bike’s frame. If stored in a wet environment like rain, fog or snow, bicycles can rust and break down, and rubber tires will deteriorate more quickly.

How to keep the e-bike battery warm in winter

Store and charge your battery inside

To keep your e-bike battery warm in winter, remove it from the bike and bring it inside when it’s not in use, whether overnight or for a few weeks. 

You can keep the bike itself in the cold as long as it remains dry and refit the battery whenever you want to ride. 

Don’t be afraid of using your bike in cold weather

While the cold can impact your e-bike battery, batteries will warm up slightly when in use, and that warmth will help keep the battery above 5°C. 

It’s important to note that the cold will not damage the battery. It will instead reduce the charge that the battery holds. Storing the battery inside will keep the battery in its best condition. 

How do I keep my e-bike from rusting?

Water will cause your bike to rust. So, whether you have been riding in the rain or just given your bike a much-needed clean, it’s important to dry it off as much as possible before storing it.

Water is a great, gentle way to wash your bike, remove dirt and thus help prevent your bike from rusting. Just avoid using a pressure washer to clean your bike, as it can force water into areas of your bike that you won’t be able to dry. 

If you cannot store the bike outside, invest in a cover for your bike. We recommend finding a cover that is large enough to fully shelter the bike, as this will prevent moisture from reaching it and will prolong the bike’s life. 

How to store your e-bike for the winter

If you aren’t riding your bike to work during the cold winter months, store it correctly to keep it in its best shape and ensure it’s ready to hop on come spring.

1. Clean your bike

Your e-bike will inevitably collect mud and dirt after several rides to work and back. However,leaving your bike covered in dirt for too long will accelerate the deterioration of the frame and wheels, so it’s important to clean it properly before storing.

For best results, clean the following areas of your bike thoroughly:

• Frame – Wash the frame by hand with a brush and a cloth to wipe it down. Turn the bike upside down to get a thorough clean, and avoid pressure washing so you don’t get water in areas you can’t dry.
• Tyres & Rims – Wipe down your tyres, rims and spokes with a cloth to remove any dried mud.
• Saddle – Give the saddle a quick wipe-down to ensure the whole bike is clean.

Once you’ve finished cleaning, ensure the bike is completely dry, as you should never store a bike while it’s wet. 

• Clean and lubricate the chain, gears, and cables

Wipe off any grime and old grease on the chain, gears and cables before you start. 

Lubrication is essential when storing your bike in the winter as it protects the gears and chain from corrosion. 

• Add lubricant to a cloth and wipe it over the chain and gears. 
• Only add a little, or it will attract dust and dirt but don’t add too little that it won’t do its job.
• Lubricate the brake and the shifting cables that are visible. 

• Pump up the tyres

Deflated tyres will lose shape over time as the bike’s weight pushes down on the rubber tyres, so it’s important to ensure your tyres are fully inflated before storing the bike away. 

It’s also best to check the tyres throughout the winter to ensure they keep inflated and pump them up as needed. 

• Store your e-bike in the right spot

Store your motor inside during winter and, if possible, store your bike inside too. This way, they’re protected from the elements and away from moisture. Store it on a bike rack, whether freestanding, wall-mounted or a ceiling rack, as this will keep the weight off the tyres.

If you cannot store the bike outside, invest in a cover to protect your bike from adverse weather.

Shop our selection of e-bikes from Electric Life

At Electric Life, e-bikes are crafted to be durable, so you can be sure you’re buying a quality piece of kit that will stay in good condition even after facing the frost. 

Shop top brands like Dawes, Falcon and Whyte and find a bike to suit your needs and see you through the winter months.

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