It's that time of year again. Temps are dipping into the not-so-nice digits'even if you live in the southern states.
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That means it's time to think about where and how the heck you're gonna stash your new electric toy until spring.
Yes. You have to "winterize" your e-bike in most areas of the world. But it doesn't have to be a mystery or a royal pain to do it right.
Whether your area gets snow or not, I'll bet it gets crazy cold at night and in the wee hours of the morning. Right?
That's why you need to learn how to properly store your e-bike.
The cold temperatures can wreak havoc on your e-bike's electrical components, especially the battery.
Metal contracts and batteries discharge much, much faster than normal, which can both cause mechanical damage and failure.
The longer your bike is stored improperly, the less life you'll get out of it. And the sooner you'll be in the market to drop a bunch of $$ on a new e-bike again.
That's why we want to make sure you know the correct way to store your e-bike in the winter, whether you still plan on riding it or not.
There are a few simple steps to keep in mind for e-bike winter storage:
In this article, you'll get a simple answer to all 4 steps so you can properly store (and ride) your bike in cold temperatures without ending up with a problem on your hands.
Whether you don't plan on touching your e-bike again till spring or you love a good ride through the snow and slush, there are a few simple cleaning tips to get you ready for storage:
If you're storing all winter long:
If you plan on riding occasionally:
Although you don't need special gear to prepare and store your bike, these things make it a heck of a lot easier and more effective:
Not everyone has access to the perfect e-bike storage area. Living in an apartment or with roommates can make it tough.
But here are a couple of basic guidelines to use to choose the best place to store your e-bike this winter:
First, always make sure you're storing your ride in a DRY location that stays ABOVE FREEZING. Even if you plan to cover your e-bike, you still want to make sure that the location isn't going to flood or end up with standing water that could freeze.
Indoor storage is always ideal. But sometimes, that can be impossible.
Garages, sheds, storage units, and underground garage racks are all good options. As long as they're dry and as close to room temp as possible.
Like I said before, indoor storage is always the best option, especially if you're planning to store it all winter long.
However, if you plan to ride it occasionally, consider how accessible your storage location actually is and how much of a pain it will be to get in and out every time you want to ride.
Anyway, storing your e-bike in a basement or in your home is the easiest option:
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While storing indoors is the best option, it also can be dangerous.
Make sure your storage location is both out of the way of foot traffic AND furniture or other flammable materials. While it doesn't happen often, e-bike batteries can combust, and you want to make sure your bike is stored in a location where a fire will cause the least amount of damage.
If your only storage option is a garage or shed, make sure you do everything you can to make the storage conditions as comfortable as possible.
Ideal storage temperatures are between 32º and 68ºF, or between freezing and room temp. While e-bikes can technically be stored down to -22º, this extreme change in temperature could cause damage to the mechanical and electrical components of your e-bike. Especially if it stays that cold for a long time.
There are a few things you can do to improve the storage temperature and conditions, like covering the entire bike with a waterproof, lined cover. Or hang it on the wall or from ceiling hooks.
Whatever you do, make sure it's stored far away from anything that could be flammable, like gas cans, paint cans, or the propane grill. Better safe than sorry.
If you're storing your e-bike in a public space, like a shared garage or an unlocked shed, theft could still be a problem.
But if you protect it like you would if you were locking it up at the skate park, you'll be fine:
Removing the battery is just a one-up on the typical anti-theft storage measures you should already be taking. Anyone who knows their merchandise will likely leave a battery-less e-bike alone since the cost of replacing it is a little ridiculous.
E-bike batteries are delicate little powerhouses. So treat them accordingly.
Like I've mentioned already, storing your battery separately from the bike in a warm, dry location is ideal.
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I get it; you're a daredevil. Freezing cold weather and snow doesn't scare you. Kudos.
But there are a few things you need to remember if you plan to ride in the winter.
Taking the steps to properly store your e-bike and battery during cold weather is your best chance to enjoy your ride for longer.
There's no sense in dropping a paycheck on a toy if you can't play with it, right?
So, whether you plan to hit the streets snow-or-no, or you're parking your e-bike for the entire winter, follow these steps to make sure you're protecting your investment. You'll thank me later.
Shimano STEPS uses lithium ion (or Li-ion) batteries, this type of e-bike battery offers all-round best performance, is lightweight and has a long-life span. Lithium-ion batteries are used in a wide range of rechargeable devices we use every day including mobile phones and cameras. The battery is a vital part of your e-bike, looked after properly it will last for many, many years. However, one of the few things that does affect the performance of Li-ion batteries is cold weather so extra care needs to be taken in winter.
If you aren't planning to ride your bike again before spring you should first charge it to around 70% full, and having done this, turn the power off and remove the battery from your bike. Find out how to do this for your bike here. The battery should be stored inside somewhere with a stable temperature of between 10°C and 20°C. To ensure your battery stays in the best condition, re-charge it to around 70% full every six months and charge it fully before your first ride after winter.
E-bikes aren't just for summer, winter riding is great fun whether you are hitting the trails or commuting to work. With pedal assist you are always doing just enough work to keep your body warm and ensure you are maintaining your fitness right through the year. However, chilly temperatures whilst not unsafe can affect your battery's range. Li-ion batteries discharge more quickly when cold so if you are riding your e-bike to work in winter weather you will need to charge your battery more frequently than in summer or warmer weather.
If the battery has been charged in a low temperature environment (5 °C or below), the maximum riding distance per full charge becomes shorter. This is only a temporary effect and if the battery is charged at room temperature, the maximum riding distance becomes normal again. Riding in the cold is fine and will do no lasting harm to the battery's health but, in the unlikely case you even wanted to, you should not ride at temperatures below -10°C.
If you've been riding outside in cold weather then your battery should be brought inside at the end of your ride to enable safe charging. Charging your battery from cold can cause damage so if your battery has got very cold outside, either whilst stored or during a ride, remember to warm your battery to room temperature before charging. Allow this to happen slowly and naturally, don't try and warm your battery faster by using a direct heat source. A battery that has been stored at room temperature will also perform better on your next cold ride.
With a little bit of extra care your e-bike and battery will keep you enjoying your cycling all the way through to spring. If you need any further help or advice on maintaining your e-bike in winter get in touch with your local Shimano Service Center.
The company is the world’s best sports power storage electric bike supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.