I have my battery inside my house for the winter while it is cold (as low as minus 30 deg c). Do anyone out there use their ebike in cold temps like this? I am wondering because there are days that are really nice but freakin cold and how would that affect the battery?
People in northern climates (snow,cold,ice) Do you use your ebike to commute in winter?
- Thread starter kojack
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
A little too cold for any longer ride disregarding what you wear (including electrically heated socks, gloves, etc). Technically speaking, Li-ion batteries can be used (discharged) above -35 C.
The Ultimate Resource
The Ultimate Resource
I may go acoustic for the winter commutes and keep my cargo bike for the other three seasons. We are used to the cold and being outside in it all day. It's a way of life here. I think the ebike would be more of a hinderance on slippery conditions. But I think I am going down to my workshop and collecting the parts for my pedal pusher commuter, and rebuild it all I was going to paint it and bring it back to life more, but I think I will leave it as is and just build off it. It's a large frame and I am not a large frame guy, but It was my first mountain bike and it's a great frame.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Just consider the wind chill factor while riding.
indianajo
Well-Known Member
I ride my e-bike for errands like groceries or the lumberyard. Going out today at 27 F & 8 mph wind. I have not worked since 2008. But the battery stays in the garage under a heat pad. 840 WH is not enough to get me 28 miles to my summer property below 55 degrees, so I beg rides from the wife in the car sometimes to check the pipes and propane tank. I went to Charlestown 11 miles out at 50 F 5 years ago and that used half the battery. A geared hub motor bike does not drag the motor with my feet unpowered, so I leave the motor accessories and wires on the bike all the year. I do not ride the bike when piles of snow are plowed into the bike lanes, or when wind gust are over 20 mph. Fresh snow under 4", I can ride.
I've passed up 10000 bikes that were too big for me. The LBS never has any bike my size except a 7 speed rim brake model painted pink with a Holly Hobbie or Strawberry Shortcake logo. The LBS that did carry my 18" Schwinn MTB in 1985 went broke. To ride at my brother's house in my fall trips to Houston, last year I bought a 16" Trek 7100 MTB for $275. Its a level bar bike and I have to lay it on the ground to get on or off, but I did not have many options when I had to ride the bus to craigslist ad sites. There was a Giant drop frame bike listed when I bought the Trek, but I could not get there. My brother lives 1/2 mile from the extensive Houston bayou hike/bike path system.
I've passed up 10000 bikes that were too big for me. The LBS never has any bike my size except a 7 speed rim brake model painted pink with a Holly Hobbie or Strawberry Shortcake logo. The LBS that did carry my 18" Schwinn MTB in 1985 went broke. To ride at my brother's house in my fall trips to Houston, last year I bought a 16" Trek 7100 MTB for $275. Its a level bar bike and I have to lay it on the ground to get on or off, but I did not have many options when I had to ride the bus to craigslist ad sites. There was a Giant drop frame bike listed when I bought the Trek, but I could not get there. My brother lives 1/2 mile from the extensive Houston bayou hike/bike path system.
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PCeBiker
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
I use my old ebike for groceries and errands in the winter but it has SLA batteries and an automatic charger that keeps the battery topped up so it doesn't freeze.
I don't ride my other ebikes in the winter but I would if I didn't have my old e-bike.
You should have no problem using your ebike in the winter if you bring your battery inside and let it warm up before charging it.
Using your lithium battery in the cold isn't a problem. You just won't get as far, BUT charging a lithium battery that is below freezing is BAD for the battery and can be dangerous.
I wouldn't want to pedal my regular bike to the store.
The ebike is faster and I don't have to deal with the cold as long.
I don't ride my other ebikes in the winter but I would if I didn't have my old e-bike.
You should have no problem using your ebike in the winter if you bring your battery inside and let it warm up before charging it.
Using your lithium battery in the cold isn't a problem. You just won't get as far, BUT charging a lithium battery that is below freezing is BAD for the battery and can be dangerous.
I wouldn't want to pedal my regular bike to the store.
The ebike is faster and I don't have to deal with the cold as long.
PCeBiker
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
There's all kind of things you can do to ride your ebike in the winter.
Even studded tires for ice and snow.
It's just like a car. You need a good set of winter wheels.
I would personally rather spend the time and money getting my ebike ready for winter riding than my old mountain bike.
I had a 27" Raleigh 10-speed that I bought in 1982.
I finally gave it to a neighbors freind a few years ago.
He fixed it up and brought it back to show me and I took it for a test ride.
I Hated it !!
I don't know how I ever liked riding the damn thing.
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
I ride year around, EXCEPT for blowing wind and Pogonip fog, lowest temps have been 22*, I do have cold weather riding gear, wind poof outer ware, - 20+* hunting boots that have been water proofed, layers for the pants/coats wool types, and for gloves I use US Military lobster mitts, which can use Zippo good heaters etc.
The only thing I have problems with is the helmet and eye coverings, if I use something to cover my face/ears etc, I can't use the helmet, and I haven't found a good helmet cover so far, that blocks the wind when riding.
I am thinking real hard on these items, around here they blade the roads during snow times, and the roads get slick, riding is new snow up to 4-6 deep poses no problems for me, with my Wart Hog or Juggs bikes, I'll leave Old Blu in the house, she is a fair weather gal.
If I can find a good set of replacement tires/rims, I'd get the studded tires, and change rims/tires to whatever is/when needed. I am not going to spend close too $500.00 for 4"+ sized rims then add tires etc.
Your thought and suggestions....
ymmv
The only thing I have problems with is the helmet and eye coverings, if I use something to cover my face/ears etc, I can't use the helmet, and I haven't found a good helmet cover so far, that blocks the wind when riding.
I am thinking real hard on these items, around here they blade the roads during snow times, and the roads get slick, riding is new snow up to 4-6 deep poses no problems for me, with my Wart Hog or Juggs bikes, I'll leave Old Blu in the house, she is a fair weather gal.
If I can find a good set of replacement tires/rims, I'd get the studded tires, and change rims/tires to whatever is/when needed. I am not going to spend close too $500.00 for 4"+ sized rims then add tires etc.
Your thought and suggestions....
ymmv
PCeBiker
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
I think those look pretty cool
They're only six bucks for twenty of them.
I'd get some but I have no intention of leaving the house til spring.
indianajo
Well-Known Member
I wrap the mouth vent of my full face helmet with saran wrap when temp is under 20. They don't sell saran wrap anymore, I think they call it sticky film or something.
I don't cover the helmet, I stuff a welder's helmet liner in it. Keeps my ears warm. Helmet has 7 vents, a Fox Rampage, so blocking wind is important. I've ridden to get groceries down to 6 F.
The newer helmet liner is too thick to fit, so I'm still using the one I bought about 2012 or so. I suppose the Bell Super 3R mips helmet I bought for Houston might fit. It does not wrap around my head like the Fox, the suspension makes the plastic stay well away from my head. But I'll never know, because it never gets that cold down there when I am visiting my brother. Cold season in Houston starts after Christmas and ends the week before the Salt Grass Trail to the Fat Stock show in February.
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My riding is urban/suburban streets and paved multi use trails. The winter conditions are lots of snow with temps well below freezing and occasional short warm spells with rain.
My bike helmet gets a flexible waterproof rain cover, this keeps all the wind out. For temps down to just below freezing I use a thin head band. For temps below that (and extra windy conditions) I use a thin or mid weight fleecy balaclava that still fits under the bike helmet. The basic ones have an opening for your face, the thicker warmer ones have a vent like flap that can cover everything except your eyes. In very cold conditions I'll add ski googles. These "technical" balaclavas cover keeping the head, ears, neck and most of the face warm.
For hands it's been heavier winter bike "lobster" gloves but I'm now going with pogies and light gloves (liners) for most of my winter riding.
For everything else it's the usual waterproof bike jackets with fleece layers underneath (maybe two layers when it's really cold), and similarly for the pants.
For my feet it's an older pair of lighter weight mid height winter boots with fairly flexible uppers. Socks are wool blends used normally used for hiking.
The hub motor powered ebike is "winterized" (extra lubrication, dielectric grease on all electrical contacts, and all joints taped). I've experimented with covers for the display and batteries for heavy rain but for cold winter riding I don't bother. The bike must have fenders and studded tires. For my conditions my tires are 45nrth Kahvas in 27.5 x 2.1" size.
Otherwise it's just like riding at any other time of the year ...
My bike helmet gets a flexible waterproof rain cover, this keeps all the wind out. For temps down to just below freezing I use a thin head band. For temps below that (and extra windy conditions) I use a thin or mid weight fleecy balaclava that still fits under the bike helmet. The basic ones have an opening for your face, the thicker warmer ones have a vent like flap that can cover everything except your eyes. In very cold conditions I'll add ski googles. These "technical" balaclavas cover keeping the head, ears, neck and most of the face warm.
For hands it's been heavier winter bike "lobster" gloves but I'm now going with pogies and light gloves (liners) for most of my winter riding.
For everything else it's the usual waterproof bike jackets with fleece layers underneath (maybe two layers when it's really cold), and similarly for the pants.
For my feet it's an older pair of lighter weight mid height winter boots with fairly flexible uppers. Socks are wool blends used normally used for hiking.
The hub motor powered ebike is "winterized" (extra lubrication, dielectric grease on all electrical contacts, and all joints taped). I've experimented with covers for the display and batteries for heavy rain but for cold winter riding I don't bother. The bike must have fenders and studded tires. For my conditions my tires are 45nrth Kahvas in 27.5 x 2.1" size.
Otherwise it's just like riding at any other time of the year ...
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
Thanks Guys
I have to find an outside helmet covering/cover, I can't use anything inside the helmet, no room without causing lots of pressure points, helmt fit very close etc. I got the biggest helmet that I could find...
Still looking around,
Your thoughts and suggestions.........
Tia
I have to find an outside helmet covering/cover, I can't use anything inside the helmet, no room without causing lots of pressure points, helmt fit very close etc. I got the biggest helmet that I could find...
Still looking around,
Your thoughts and suggestions.........
Tia
Jeremy McCreary
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Shower cap? My mom's would've fit over any helmet.
Have to wear the rollers too. ha ha!
Jeremy McCreary
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Heck, with the right rollers, you might not even need the helmet.
Yeah, those "fuzzy" ones would probably cushion more than the foam in a modern bike helmet. just watch out for the pins that keep them in. ha ha!
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