Winter is coming and you may be wondering what to do with your electric bike storage in the winter. Perhaps you want to continue with your new and fun form of exercise and wonder if you can ride an ebike during the firmer, wetter months of the year. Or maybe you’re wondering if you can store your e-bike for such a long time.
Here at the Amsterdam Bike Shop, we have you covered in both scenarios, with all the tips, tricks and simple e-bike storage solutions you need to ride with confidence and store your e-bike and any extra parts through the winter months.
Storing your electric bicycle for the winter
E-bike storage during or before winter means that you are going to store it for a longer period of time; not just 4-5 days as you usually would. Winter also brings the threat of extreme conditions, prolonged rain or snow and extremely low temperatures. All of these factors must be taken into account when considering an e-bike winter storage facility.
Here are some practical tips for storing e-bikes in the winter:
Clean before storage
Your ebike, like your car, needs maintenance and regular cleaning. Amsterdam bike store e-bikes are IPX4 water resistant, which means that splashing water from any direction won’t hurt. This means that you can clean your bike with a bucket and sponge, but you should not use pressurized water, such as a garden hose or pressure washer to rinse the bike, but a “rainy” sprinkle from a garden hose would be fine.
You need to remove all the dirt from the frame of your ebike and then wipe it down with a dry cloth. Make sure the battery contacts are clean and dry to prevent corrosion. Then lubricate the chain to protect it and turn the pedal to rotate the chain to ensure that the lubricant circulates through the system.
Storing your eBike
Electrical devices and components in e-bikes are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Ideally, your ebike should be stored in a cool, dry area away from high humidity; consider a garage or, depending on where you live, an outdoor storage room.
The ideal e-bike storage temperature is between 32º and 68º, between freezing and room temperature. E-bikes can be stored down to -22º, but your e-bike’s electronic elements don’t like such temperatures for extended periods, so we don’t recommend going that far.
Storing your ebike battery
The best way to store e-bike accessories such as batteries is to remove them from your e-bike. Batteries are the beating heart of your ebike and, like a human heart, the most sensitive part of it all. Over time, all batteries lose capacity, that is, they lose the amount of charge they can hold. If you take good care of your battery, you will protect its charge capacity and thereby maximize its life.
Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place where they cannot freeze; a wooden surface in the garage is recommended. However, if you live somewhere extremely cold, i.e. below freezing, crawl inside, bring your battery inside and store it somewhere safe.
Batteries are best stored at room temperature, 50º-77º, and can handle extreme temperatures in either direction; but only for a short time before the temperature begins to affect their chemistry and damage the battery.
There are different types of batteries. The battery used to power your Aventon ebike is a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries should never be stored with a completely empty charge level, as this means they may not be recoverable after storage.
Your battery should be stored with a charge level of 75-80. Check the charge level monthly and make sure the percentage does not go below 75%. This will help extend the life of your battery.
Aventon batteries should also not be kept on their charger or attached to your ebike.
So, when you put your battery away for winter storage, make sure it is charged within the 75-80 range, that it is not on the charger, and that it is somewhere cool -but not cold- and dry.
After winter storage
It’s important to get your ebike ready for the new cycling season after storing it. The best and most convenient way to do this is to take it to your local bike store for a tune-up.
Here they check that your brake and gear cables are tight and all working as they should be. They check brake pads, chain lubricant, shifting and other items so you have a safe and perfectly functioning bike when you get back in the saddle.
After your adjustment, take your bike for a short test ride to make sure everything is working properly. Check the brakes, the gears and make sure everything is to your liking.
If you find something wrong, just go back to the bike store where they’ll be happy to correct it for you.
Using your ebike during the winter
As mentioned earlier, Aventon e-bikes are IPX4 resistant, and that means you can ride them just fine in the rain or through puddles! So if you’re considering continuing to use your ebike in the winter for commuting, go ahead!
Maybe you don’t live on your ebike and think you’ll put it away for the winter, but a day, a weekend or a week may arise when you find that you want to go out for a ride.
This is where you get to take your ebike completely out of its sleep! Be sure to fully charge the battery and take a short test ride with your bike, either in your driveway or on a quiet street, to test the brakes and gears before setting off on a longer, more adventurous journey.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to driving during the winter months.
Only drive in safe weather conditions
Most importantly, you should only use your ebike when you are absolutely sure that you can ride it under the prevailing conditions.
Your safety is paramount, and even if you have taken all the precautions that follow here, there are some days when you might consider commuting by other means or skipping your weekly ride.
Braking is different
The heavier an object and the faster it travels, the longer -or more friction- it takes to stop, these are the laws of physics.
E-bikes tend to be heavier than regular bikes and they travel faster, so it naturally takes them longer to stop. This means that, especially in slippery conditions, you will have to brake sooner.
If there is water on the road, this further reduces friction, increasing your braking distance, which means you will have to brake even earlier in the rain or when there is water on the road.
Keep an eye on the temperature
Ebikes can be used below freezing and even down to 0º degrees, but this is not ideal. Electronics are sensitive and while they can operate up to this temperature, it doesn’t mean they should.
Below 32º, electronics do not operate at their optimum level and once you drop to 32º and below, batteries begin to lose their charge even faster, resulting in lower mileage.
If an ebike gets too cold, you can kill the battery cells and then you’ll be without a battery until you get home and may even have to order a replacement.
A good rule is: if it’s too cold for you, it’s more than likely too cold for your battery too!
Improve Visibility with Headlights
The winter days are much shorter and you don’t want to get caught out in the dark. Proper planning can prevent this but for safety purposes make sure that you have front and rear lights on your ebike; not only so that you can see where you’re going but so that others can see you too.
Improve visibility with headlights
The winter days are much shorter and you don’t want to get caught in the dark. Good planning can prevent this, but for safety reasons, make sure you have front and rear lights on your ebike; not only so you can see where you are going, but also so others can see you too.
Keep your e-bike clean
It is an excellent habit to clean your ebike after each use. This becomes even more important on rainy days where there is a greater chance that your bike has become wet and dirty.
By simply wiping down your ebike after each ride, you can extend its life and ensure that it remains free of rust. When you do this, wipe the contacts where the battery is connected to the bike dry to keep this integral part of your ebike in optimal condition.
Storing your ebike properly and taking good care of it is a common sense thing that every rider should undertake. If you do this, you will enjoy your investment for years to come! Don’t be afraid to take your ebike out of storage for a fun weekend and then put it back, just follow the tips above for storing your ebike every time and you’re good to go! More importantly, make sure you take the necessary safety precautions to keep you safe while having fun on the road or trail.
