Waterproofing a bike

[pmcdonald]

There's several reports here of water damage to the internal electrical components. Now, I have no idea how common these issues are - outliers or indication of a wider design flaw? -but I do find it extraordinary these issues are cropping up on a bike platform designed for outdoor use, and marketed to touring, commuting and mountain biking riders.

I myself purchased my Explore as an all weather daily commuter and was upfront with the dealer about intending to ride in the rain, mentioning the reports I'd read of wate issues. He replied there'd be no issues there, and just said to avoid pressure hosing the bike when cleaning (no issue there, that's common sense). Be that as it may, I'm keen to avoid any workshop downtime - this is my primary mode of transport after all. What's more, not riding makes me sad.

Can anyone suggest methods to improve the waterproofing on the bike? I'm thinking of electrical taping the gaps running down the downtube (around the battery, above the motor). Anything else? Cheers

 

[Browneye]

I use dialectric grease round the contact mating surfaces - not directly on the contacts. An effort to keep water out of those contacts.
I doubt water is so much a problem, but corrosion definitely would be.

Lots of water complaints with the evo display screen. Just one around here for RideControlOne - the poor chap from England with his entire bike falling apart.

 

[pmcdonald]

I use dialectric grease round the contact mating surfaces - not directly on the contacts. An effort to keep water out of those contacts.
I doubt water is so much a problem, but corrosion definitely would be.

Lots of water complaints with the evo display screen. Just one around here for RideControlOne - the poor chap from England with his entire bike falling apart.

Thank kindly good sir - excellent and most helpful reply, as always. Can you elaborate on what you mean by contact mating surfaces? Let's assume I know zero about electronics or manufacturing!

I have noticed some condensation on the inside of the EVO display after the bike has sat in the sun for a few minutes. Not sure where that could have come from - the bike was ridden dry at that stage. I can see a gap at the base of the display that could allow water to enter. That begs for a cover or some sort of seal.

It did rain on my ride last night. I took close note of where I could see moisture on the frame. The battery is well protected but I'm curious where the water goes in the gap that meets the motor.

The other vulnerable point appears to be the cable frame entry holes. It won't look the best but I'll try and seal these up with electrical tape.

 

[Browneye]

The bottom image is just the cable-routing plug - as long as it's in there that's good enough - there's nothing in there water can hurt.
If you remove your battery you can see where they're routed.

When your battery makes contact with it's docking place the housing extrusions mate leaving a drain slot for each contact. It would be impossible for whater to sit in there unless it got caked with dirt. You could apply a very sparing amount of dialectric grease to the contacts, but I prefer to just blow them out and keep them clean. The base of your contact housing has a rubber pad that seals thecontacts except for a drain out the bottom. I would not think these bikes to be submersible. I have heard that will kill them.

If I hose my bike off I take the battery out and blow everything out with compressed air. That way you never have water sitting in there. I also apply 303 to the rubber seal, and make sure it's clean. Apply a dab of light grease to the locking tang.

I just had to take a quick look at the mating surface, and it's designed to drain, so you wouldn't want to try to seal it with grease. Unlike a cable connector. The contacs seem heavy duty and of high quality. The prongs are tensioned down in a rubber housing.

 

[Browneye]

Just ran across this today...out of the factory service manual:

 

[PDoz]

If you are noticing condensation on an evo screen, take a photo and get it replaced. Giant has upgaded the waterproofing on these over the last couple of years

 

[pmcdonald]

If you are noticing condensation on an evo screen, take a photo and get it replaced. Giant has upgaded the waterproofing on these over the last couple of years

Will do, this is a new 2020 EVO display.

 

[pmcdonald]

I don't know if I'm being overly paranoid here, but warranty or not this is my daily commute and I need it operational so in the rain I've started taking these precautions:

1 cent sandwich bags and rubber bands that came with the pak choy FTW!

 

[E-Wheels]

I don't know if I'm being overly paranoid here, but warranty or not this is my daily commute and I need it operational so in the rain I've started taking these precautions:

View attachment 53326

1 cent sandwich bags and rubber bands that came with the pak choy FTW!

Have you checked these out...although it will cost a lot more than a sandwich bag

MH COVER EBIKE DISPLAY PROTECTORS Ebike Silicone Display Protectors | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MH COVER EBIKE DISPLAY PROTECTORS Ebike Silicone Display Protectors at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[pmcdonald]

Have you checked these out...although it will cost a lot more than a sandwich bag

MH COVER EBIKE DISPLAY PROTECTORS Ebike Silicone Display Protectors | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MH COVER EBIKE DISPLAY PROTECTORS Ebike Silicone Display Protectors at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

I have indeed! Postage is AUD$88 and I could only find them sold in the UK or EU (I guess they're different things now?).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Guys, why don't we create the "Giant e-Bike Fan Club" on these Forums?
Who's in?

 

[pmcdonald]

Guys, why don't we create the "Giant e-Bike Fan Club" on these Forums?
Who's in?

I hear you Stefan. I love my Giant - I'm happy for that to be know. If I had to make the purchase again there wouldn't be another commuter bike on the Australian market I'd prefer to drop my hard earned $4k on. No regrets, no remorse.

Having said that this water issue is long running, ongoing and something Giant should have sorted out years ago. It's getting into my Evo display, despite being a brand new bike. And I assume it'll sooner or later disable the electronics, like it has to others here. So I'd rather be on the front foot and do my best to fortify against it.

To be fair Giant do sound very good at replacing the displays under warranty (who knows beyond that?). And a scan of the other brands here reveal all manufacturers suffer issues, some far worse than this. But I can't afford my bike to be in the shop for a week or fortnight while parts ship on. It's my daily ride, after all!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

But I can't afford my bike to be in the shop for a week or fortnight while parts ship on. It's my daily ride, after all!

That's why as bought my Trance when two other e-bikes of mine had been stuck for good in workshops...