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Can you ride an e-bike in the rain?
Jun 29,2022
E-bikes are increasingly used for daily commuting, travel, and outdoor activities. Owners of e-bikes ride them in the city and beyond, on asphalt and off-road, in all seasons, even in winter, and in a variety of weather conditions. Of course, the most comfortable and safest ride is in nice weather. That’s why many cyclists switch to cars or public transportation on rainy days.
In this way, they protect their bikes from water and dirt, and themselves from the difficulties of riding in bad weather, and washing and drying the e-bikes afterward. But what if the rain catches the cyclist on the way, or the alternative to the electric bike is not considered? Today we will discuss whether it is possible to use an e-bike in the rain, how safe it is, and what precautions should be taken during such a ride.
Rules for using an e-bike in rainy weather
The motor, battery, display, and other electrical components of the e-bike are housed in sealed enclosures, so they are not afraid of moisture. However, the degree of protection of parts from moisture varies. For better protection of the battery, it is recommended to use a waterproof housing, lubricate the terminals and contacts with water-repellent and anti-corrosion grease, and apply silicone sealant to the contacts.
To minimize the effects of precipitation, it is important to take the following precautions when using your electric bike in the rain
- The e-bike can be ridden safely in wet weather and light rain, crossing shallow puddles easily. The most important thing is not to ride in fog, poor visibility, thunderstorms, downpours, or hail, avoid deep puddles, dangerous maneuvers, high speeds (more than 25 mph), and sudden braking. A puddle is considered deep if the water can reach the height of the motor or other electrical components when passing over the puddle.
- Moisture is dangerous not only because of the danger of a short circuit but also because of the corrosion of the terminals and contacts. Corrosion disrupts contact between nodes, affects the stability of their operation, and increases the risk of breakage. To prevent this, use special lubricants.
- Visibility deteriorates in bad weather. Therefore, it is important to use headlights and reflectors to make the e-bike as visible as possible to other riders.
- On wet roads, controllability decreases, the grip of the wheels on the road deteriorates, and the braking distance increases significantly. Therefore, in the rainy season, it is necessary to drive carefully, without acceleration, dangerous maneuvers, and sudden braking, avoiding, if possible, all kinds of obstacles on the way, puddles, and places with wet leaves or stones. On slippery surfaces it is easy to lose control, fall, damage the vehicle, or get injured.
Tightness of electric bicycle components
Before using the e-bike in the rain, you need to make sure that its components are protected from moisture. Most electric scooters and bikes are IP54 rated, which means they are fully protected from dust and splashing water from any angle. After being exposed to rain, the sensitive parts of such vehicles must be wiped and dried.
If the e-bike gets into the water
The hermetic design of all nodes IP54, IP55, or even IP56 is not a reason to ride an e-bike into the water. If it gets into a river, lake, stream, or deep puddle, water can cause the electrical components to short circuit. If an e-bike with a moisture protection rating below IP56 gets caught in a rainstorm or falls into a puddle, measures must be taken to eliminate the risk of a short circuit and breakage of electrical components. For this you will need:
- Turn off the power and leave it off until the components are dry.
- Thoroughly dry the electric bike.
- Disconnect the battery and place it in a warm room for at least one day.
- if possible, remove the controller cover to allow proper ventilation and drying.
- Go to a service, especially if you suspect that water has penetrated the electronic components.
By following these simple tips, you can avoid premature wear and tear on your e-bike equipment.