Electric bikes are designed to withstand all the elements of a regular British winter, so a nip in the air won't stop you from enjoying your bike.
But be aware that very cold (or hot) conditions can affect your battery range – Bosch say range can be reduced by up to 30% if used in temperatures below 0 degrees. In the very cold your battery has to work harder so can also decrease its overall lifespan. Make sure your battery is fully charged before setting off, especially if your ride is going to be longer.
Try and avoid full discharge, don’t run the pack down to 0% in the cold, aim to stay above 20–30% before ending the ride.
Start with lower assist levels: To avoid wheel spin on wet, icy or slippery roads, start with a lower pedal-assist level and increase as necessary, this also conserves battery life.
If your bike has integrated lights and your regular journeys are when the outside light is low you may want to carry with you an additional set of lights, just in case. You can cycle without power but you need to be seen by other road users.
If you're riding through snow or rain, ensure the battery compartment is clean and dry before charging or storing the bike, and regularly inspect the battery and its connections for any signs of wear or damage. Wet weather is not usually a problem, if you and the bike have got particularly wet, removing the battery (if that’s possible with your bike) will allow the contacts to properly dry.
Check your tyre pressures, if they are low this means too much friction when riding on a hard surface, making your bike less efficient and more power from the battery will be needed. Also lubricate your chain regularly, if your bike hasn’t been serviced for a while now is the time to get it booked in. If your bike has hydraulic brakes then you may experience a slower response when it's very cold as brake fluid thickens in low temperatures, the lever will feel stiff or sluggish.
If during the day your bike is outside at work (in a bike store etc) then bring your battery inside with you where it's warmer. We always suggest for security too a battery is removed when you are parked up away from home, the battery is the most valuable part of your e-bike.
When you’ve finished your ride on a cold day you should bring your battery up to room temperature before recharging – this could take a couple of hours. Charging a battery that is very cold can cause permanent damage.
By following these steps, you can protect your e-bike battery from the effects of cold weather and maintain its performance throughout the winter months.
When riding a bike in winter, having the right gloves is crucial to keeping your hands warm, dry, and comfortable. Cold hands can make it difficult to grip the handlebars and control your bike, we have a wide range of gloves in store and online HERE.
Enjoy your e-bike rides even in cold weather while staying safe and comfortable.
Batteries can cope with lower temperatures when in use but the cells far prefer to be kept at room temperature between 15-20 degrees C. So if you keep your electric bike in a shed or garage please bring the battery inside the house with you
Over winter keep your battery somewhere safe away from any sources of heat, moisture or steam. Store your battery on a hard flat, surface in an area with plenty of ventilation (not tucked away in a cupboard or drawer).
When not using your battery for a while you want to keep it partially charged, we advise leaving it at around 50-70% which is 3 LEDs on on a Bosch battery indicator.
Every few months check the battery and recharge up to 50-70% if needed. If a battery left in storage goes totally flat then damage can be caused to the cells, worst case is that your battery will never function again.
Lots of people think its better to keep the battery on charge all the time but that can put the battery under more pressure.
A typical E-Bike battery costs between £450 and £700 and is one of the most expensive components on an electric bike so is definitely worth looking after them.
