Can My Electric Bike Get Wet?

How Can I Know If My Ebike Can Get Wet?

An Ebike is like a traditional bicycle with a frame, wheels, brakes, pedal, seats, drivetrain, chain and handlebar. The main difference is that an Ebike has a battery and motor. These components are water sensitive and any Ebike user will question the capabilities of the bike when it rains. When it rains, every cyclist on an Ebike will ask if their bikes can get wet. Many questions like Does my bike get damaged when it rains? Is my bike water resistant? Can I ride this through Puddles? The answer is a yes. Your Ebike is water resistant and can handle a little water splash and puddles. It will not catastrophically fail when it is splashed with a little water or even if you're riding in a drizzle. Keep in mind that not all Ebikes are made the same. There are some Ebikes that can handle a lot of rain and water splash. It is important to check your owner's manual so you know the limits of your Ebike.

The Big 'Don't' for Ebike Get Wet

The big Don't for your Ebike when it rains is to never submerge the motor and battery in water. It is not recommended to ride through water and submerge your Ebike's battery and motor because these are very water sensitive. You don't want to damage these components because it is expensive to replace them. The battery is prone to shorting out if it gets submerged for any length of time. Like a motor vehicle, you should not ride your Ebike through floods particularly fast-moving water. It is also recommended to not place your Ebike outdoors for a long period of time. Leaving your bike outside regularly will expose it to the elements damaging its components and shorting out its electrical components. Store your bike in a dry place where it is safe from the outside elements, preserving its lifespan.

The Should 'Dos' for Ebike Get Wet

Be more cautious

Being more cautious is one of the most important Do's when riding your Ebike. Choosing a route that will not harm your Ebike is essential. A path that is not slippery, free from floods and has good visibility is recommended. If the path that you will cross has lots of puddles, there is a bigger chance that your Ebike will get wet. Avoiding paths with puddles also avoids you from encountering objects that can damage your Ebike.

There are other key things that you must be cautious of when you ride your Ebike.

Speed

Maintaining the correct speed is important to keep your bike in tip-top condition. Riding at a fast speed will damage your ride when you hit a pothole. A steady and controlled speed avoids unexpected problems plus you can also stop safely when you can control your speed.

Metal tracks and white lines

These surfaces are very slippery when wet and are dangerous especially when travelling at high speeds.

Braking

It is always important to be cautious when you brake. Brake in a controlled manner and avoid slippery roads.

Deep potholes and puddles

Deep potholes can damage the frame, wheels, and tires of your bike. It is important to read the road ahead and look for any cracks on the road. Puddles can also mean danger because you will not know how deep it is. A bright headlight helps tremendously when you ride in the dark. It can help you see the road ahead with ease.

Get the right gear

* Safety gear

Getting the right gear is important. You should wear a helmet that passes all the certifications and quality checks from authorities. If you are out riding in the dark, lights and high-visibility clothing is a must. You can also wear gloves for sufficient grip and to also guard your hands against any injury.

* Weatherproof gear

Investing in a good quality mudguard will protect you and your bike. It will prevent mud and water from splattering. Waterproof bags and panniers are also excellent as they will also protect your phone and electronics.

Clean your battery points

Cleaning your bike only takes a few minutes and it helps prevent future problems. Cleaning your bike after it rains is important as it will prevent any moisture and contaminants from reaching the electrical components of your Ebike. The battery points of your Ebike are prone to shorting out if contaminants or water reaches it. You can take the battery out and use a soft cloth to wipe the whole battery. For the contact points, you can use a contact cleaner.

If your bike has been drenched with water, you can use a leaf blower to dry out your Ebike quickly. Take out your Ebike's battery and use the leaf blower to disperse the water. Take the battery out for it to completely dry out.

Cover your battery and display

When you're carrying your Ebike on an external carrier, cover your battery and display. It is important to do this because moisture might get into the battery and display. A replacement battery and display are expensive and in some cases, it can take a long time to find a compatible replacement. Prevention is better than cure and it is also easy and cheap to do. This is a concern for long trips and extended travels. A custom-designed cover is great as it will protect all surfaces of your battery.

Tire Pressures

Rainy day cycling requires lower tire pressures. A low tire pressure helps your bike grip more on the ground. It gives more traction even if you're travelling at high speeds. There is more contact area when your tire has a lower-than-average pressure.

Conclusion

Riding in the wet is fun and thrilling. It is a new experience as the environment provides challenges that dry weather can't provide. There are also fun rain events available for you to join and there's no reason to stop riding in the rain provided that you know the precautions. We hope that our guide will help you in your next rainy day adventure!