There is no reason not to ride an e-bike in rainy weather. Because the e-bike is equipped with expensive parts, many riders are afraid to ride it in the rain. The weather is often unpredictable and heavy rain can take you by surprise. The short answer to the question of whether can you ride an electric bike in the rain is obvious – yes, you can. But to do this, you need to be well prepared for sudden changes from dry to wet weather. How to do it? Here are a few tips in this article.
Useful safety tips for riding in the rain
Safety and moisture protection are important conditions for a good electric bike rainy ride. The following tips will help you enjoy riding even when the weather is bad.
Protect yourself and take care of stuff dry
Never ride an electric bike in the rain in your usual clothing. Remember that your outfit should provide you with full protection. If you choose the wrong form of clothing for cycling, you risk getting a cold.
Very often the rains are accompanied by a cold spell unless, of course, it’s a summer pouring rain. Temperature changes hurt human health, especially if you are lightly dressed.
We recommend wearing tight waterproof clothes during the rain. The material of such clothing should be quick-drying. It is good to have a raincoat in case of weather changes. Such a product can not only provide reliable protection from moisture but also greatly increases the visibility of the electric bike riders on the road for other riders.
In addition, it is worth getting water-resistant gloves and helmets.
Make sure you have good quality water-resistant shoes or buy special shoe covers. You should also have rain pants in your closet. Bicycle goggles protect your eyes from splashing water.
Protect some electronic components with a water-resistant material
A quality waterproof bag with glued seams will be a great solution. The basic prerequisite is the use of water-resistant nylon, which securely covers the bike’s electrical components.
Apply dielectric grease to the electrical contact points. By doing this you will avoid corrosion and contamination of the e-bike. This will ensure that the e-bike is completely safe and sound in the rain.
To protect other electronics from moisture, you can use a backpack or shoulder bag. The smartphones can be placed in special Ziploc bags. A small MacBook will also fit in your roomy backpack.
Alternatively, you can have your backpack covered in nylon. A bag securely covered in nylon is well protected from water. Be sure to wipe down your e-bike after every ride in the rain.
Use the fenders
The electric bike’s transmission is designed to withstand splashing water. In addition, the bike’s battery has a rather special design that makes it possible to work even when it is raining heavily. But this does not mean that you need to rush to get your e-bike wet. Also, these abilities of many e-bikes do not give you the right to contaminate your e-bike with debris and expose it to water.
To provide reliable protection of e-bikes from debris will allow special fenders. These designs can be made of plastic or metal. For rain, it is better to choose a fender made of plastic. Metal elements are subject to corrosion due to prolonged wetness and the effects of water. But plastic products need special cleaning before they can be used again in the rain.
Reduce tire pressure
Lowering the tire pressure is another important prerequisite for enjoying a pleasant ride in the rain.
Riding on a good road won’t endanger your tires, but on a rough road, tires can roll faster.
On wet roads, it is wise to lower your tire pressure to 10 psi. This trick will increase traction and it means you can avoid falling.
Don’t forget to use your headlights
While riding on a slippery road, you should not forget about other cyclists and road users.
Everyone faces challenges and problems while riding in the rain. Headlights can help make the path visibility of your e-bike easier. With good lighting, you can navigate well on the road.
In most cases, the laws governing the use of e-bikes on the road require front and rear lights. But you can also equip other parts of the electric bike with additional lighting in the form of attaching reflective strips on the trunk, handlebars, fenders, and, helmet.
Watch out for slippery spots and avoid puddles
When it rains, the roads become oily because of fuel that floats to the surface. Your usual path can become very slippery and dangerous for this reason. So be careful in slippery areas so you don’t hurt yourself while riding your e-bike. Always avoid riding on oily areas and deep puddles if it is possible.
Also, avoid painted lines on the road. The lane markers often become very slippery during and after rain. Metal drain grates are also very slippery, so don’t ride over them.
Besides, you should avoid debris on the road. For example, fallen leaves also become very slippery when it rains, which is extremely dangerous for cyclists.
Always apply the brake early
Remember that no matter how tempting it may be to speed in the rain, it is better to slow down in such an extreme and dangerous situation. With this prudent decision, you can prevent accidents that often occur due to poor visibility.
Don’t think that riding harder will keep you warm. It’s better to ride slowly and take your time but stay in one piece. A slippery road means that you won’t have enough time to react properly to obstacles. Neglecting this rule creates all the conditions for an accident and damage to your e-bike.
The need for slow speeds is more important on an electric bike than on a regular bike. E-bikes with the right gear and pedal assist provide support for optimal speed in wet conditions. Remember that riding an electric bike in the rain takes much longer than riding on a sunny day.
Hitting the brakes means slowing down, but it takes much longer when it’s raining outside. This is because the roads are slippery. Braking early will avoid falls and injuries.
The motor system that e-bikes are equipped with is to provide a new source of power. It is not uncommon for e-bikes to give you the ability to control the power and start time of the motor.
This greatly increases the range of possibilities for cycling, from pedaling assistance to full pedaling and full motor assistance. With all of these features, it is possible to customize every ride, providing satisfaction and ecstasy to the cyclist.
The additional power of the motor implies that every electric bike must be equipped with a quality and reliable braking system. Most electric bikes have disc brakes instead of rim brakes that conventional bikes are often equipped with.
Disc brakes work better than rim brakes in the rain. On that basis, with safety and caution, while using disc brakes on an electric bike, you will guarantee a safe ride.
Don’t lean on corners electric bikes
Riding experience on an electric bike can be a lot of fun, but you should avoid sharp turns during rain and wet conditions.
When riding a bike in the rain, keep track of how much power you use on the corners.
Instead of leaning in and getting into corners hard, gently apply the brake before turning. Consequently, most of the tires will stay firmly on the road, ensuring complete stability and balance.
Protecting Your E-Bike
If you don’t take care of your electric bike properly, you can seriously damage it.
When riding in the rain, hide your e-bike display. Once you get home, wash and dry your bike.
Also, remember to maintain and lubricate your chains every month.
What else to look out for when riding in the rain
Although riding in light rain on an e-bike can be extremely enjoyable, this pleasure may not last long if your bike is not designed for inclement weather conditions. To conclude this article, here are additional factors that all electric bike owners need to consider.
Avoid excessive rain
If you are riding during a heavy downpour, try to find a place of shelter or arrive at your destination as quickly as possible.
Always make sure your battery is dry after the rain
Remember that drying the battery is just as important as drying the electric bike itself. It is highly undesirable to leave the battery wet. To that end, take your battery out of the battery compartment after each ride and wipe it dry with a clean towel.
Think of a riding options
If your route is usually a gravel road with cracks and holes, try to ride on safer roads when it’s raining.
Not only will this solution keep you safe, but it will also protect your bike from debris that simply may not catch your eye due to poor visibility.
The last recommendation would be for you to take care of yourself after your ride on a rainy and cold day. Be sure to drink hot tea at home, which will keep you warm and prevent you from catching a cold.
Park your electric bike in the right places
There is no problem with leaving your electric bike out in the rain for a while.
Make sure that you don’t linger and leave your vehicle for too long. Despite the fact that the bike is water resistant, water is sure to get on the hull, battery, and other electronics. It can also cause corrosion and rust formation.
Ideally, you should leave your electric bike in a well-ventilated room. If this is not possible, use a special cover to protect your bike.
Final thoughts
The hardest part about riding an electric bike in the rain is the first pedal stroke. But once you do this, you will immediately feel confident in your abilities, especially if you have properly dressed and waterproof shoes prepared for wet conditions.
Electric bikes have enough water resistance to ride in the rain. But you should not neglect the precautionary tips that can increase this water resistance many times over.
There is no law against riding an electric bike. But to extend the service life of your bike, you need to follow all of the above steps to get the best results. So be sure to think about your safety before your riding experience.
FAQ
Is an electric bike good in the rain?
You can ride an e-bike in the rain, but to do so, you must follow rules that will help you increase the water resistance of your bike.
The electric modern system of many electric bikes allows you to ride even in wet weather conditions.
Can E-Bikes get wet in rain?
Just like traditional bikes, e-bikes get wet when it rains.
Most electric bikes are sufficiently largely water resistant so you should not be afraid to ride them in the rain.
Keep in mind that certain types of electric bikes are not designed for use in wet conditions. Therefore, be sure to clarify this point before buying.