DO ELECTRIC BIKES WORK IN THE SNOW?

Do electric bikes work in the snow? The short answer is yes, electric bikes do work in the snow. The better question is which electric bikes work best in the snow. There are many different types of electric bikes just like there are different types of vehicles. Vehicles with All Wheel Drive (AWD) will do better in the snow. The same is true about electric bikes.

There’s a lot of information about electric bikes. And there’s a lot of information on weather-related topics. Rarely do weather and electric bikes get discussed together. Typically, when most people think about riding electric bikes, they picture riding on nice summer days, cruising along in the sun. Here at eBikeWizard.com, we believe that winter riding is awesome as well. You just have to be prepared.

Future Electric Bike Owners

Electric bike owners, or future electric bike owners, should also consider riding in the snow. It’s magical. The streets are bare of people and covered in snow, and you can get a great workout.

Let’s discuss the basics of what you should consider when thinking about riding your electric bike in the snow.

Riding Electric Bikes in The Snow

Riding electric bikes in the snow is a lot like driving a vehicle in the snow. If the conditions outside are snowy and slippery, you should ask yourself the below:

• How are my tires?
• Is my battery charged enough to make the trip?
• Do the electric bikes have changeable gears?

These are some of the basics to consider. Let’s discuss further.

Dual motor electric bikes:

Dual motors are positioned both in the back and front wheels. By having the dual motors positioned on both tires, the rider will receive equal power from each tire allowing for constant power. This will help stabilize the bike as you shred through snow, slush, and powder. The dual motors also typically come with dual batteries (which is awesome).

Dual batteries:

Dual batteries are ideal for cold conditions. Cold weather drains electric batteries. Batteries work harder in colder weather. So, if you had only 1 battery, your range will be dramatically shorter than an electric bike with 2 batteries. Tip: keep your batteries stored in temperature-controlled storage above 55 degrees when you get to your destination. If you have only 1 battery, you can add a conversion kit.

Multiple gears:

Multiple gears are important for the ability to change your gears in different conditions. Like your 4-wheel truck, you have 4-Hi and 4-Low. With multiple gears on your electric bike, you will have that option as well.

Tires:

Tires are one of the most important things to take into consideration. It’s important to think about tire size and traction. The large, fat tires you commonly see on the electric mountain bikes for trail rides are also great for the snow rides. The fat tires provide a wide surface connection between the bike and snow. This wide connection is especially important in the snow when conditions are wide-ranging. The full grip traction should be considered no matter what time of year. There are also bike tires with snow studs in them or you can add them. Check here for an example.

Fenders:

Fenders might seem like a luxury, but they are a requirement. The last thing you would want to do is go out for a nice peaceful ride in the snow when you start getting sprayed with water flicking off your tires. You can find many different aftermarket fenders if your electric bike doesn’t have them. Check here for an example.

Weight & size:

The weight and size of the electric bike can impact how comfortable the snow ride is. Big, bulky bikes with heavy frames such as steel might make it hard to keep control of your electric bike in the uneven terrain. You should be able to touch both feet on the ground when you sit on the seat of the electric bike.

How to maintain your electric bike in the winter

Not only is it important to identify the items required on an electric bike for a ride in the snow, but it is also important to know how to take off and maintain your electric bike in freezing temperatures. If not adequately prepared, the cold weather can ruin or shorten your electric bike’s life span. Like the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. The following items are best practices for keeping your electric bike in good working condition during freezing temperatures.

Storage:

Ensure you are storing your electric bike in a dry, temperature-controlled location. Leaving your electric bike outside exposed to the freezing elements may create long-term problems. Even leaving it in a garage or shed with no insulation or temperature regulation for a prolonged period of time might ruin the battery and do irreversible damage. The simple solution is to take your battery off and store it inside. It is also recommended that your battery life is at 35%-75% when you store it.

 

Charging Battery:

DO NOT charge your battery if it is cold to the touch or if it has been in freezing temperatures. Bring the battery inside and let it reach room temperature before any attempt to try and charge. If you do try to charge your battery while it’s still cold, you may ruin the battery permanently. Charging the battery while it’s cold ruins the cells inside the battery.

Clean after every ride:

Most municipalities use salt on roads during snowy and icy conditions. This salt gets everywhere and makes a mess. Not only is it a mess to the sidewalks and streets, but it also makes a mess on your electric bike. If the slush and salt remain on your bike, it can leave spots on your bike and eat away at your chain. Wipe your electric bike down after the ride, spray some degreaser like Simple Green to the chains, and brush excess gunk off. Then hit it with some WD-40 or other chain lubricant.

 

Examples of good electric bikes for the snow

ARIEL RIDER; D-CLASS

The D-Class b

The Ariel Rider would be a fun choice. The D-Class comes with a revolutionary all-wheel ride technology. It comes with the option of selecting one motor at a time or having both motors on at the same time for an All-Wheel experience. This option is great for both the beach and snowy conditions. This advanced technology removes the stalling of motors while riding through the loose landscapes or even uphill. The D-Class can even increase speed without pedalling up steep hills. The 2x750W powerful hub motors allow for high speeds effortlessly in ANY condition.

 

E-CELLS; SUPER MONARCH AWD 1500-WATT DUAL CROWN 

The Super Monarch is a beast. It will hold up in any condition. This electric bike has a Dual Motor, Dual Battery, Dual Suspension, and Dual Crown Fork. The Crown Fork framework has noticeably less flex to allow for a smoother ride. The new dual crown fork framework also comes with 120mm of travel and offers not only the ability to adjust compression with a lockout feature but also has a rebound adjustment option.

• Dual motors (AWD) twin 750-watt 52v
• Dual suspension, AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM ALLOY (front & back)
• PEDAL ASSIST with TORQUE SENSOR: 1:1 with 9 levels of assist with a torque sensor
• Dual battery with 1638-watt hours of power
• Bright headlight
• Easy to control

In conclusion

Every season is a season to ride your electric bike. Too often in our modern world, we are stuck inside behind a computer, iPad, or simply saying do you want to Netflix and chill. Getting outside and enjoying your electric bike is a great way to connect with the earth and get some sun. Just remember, there is no such thing as bad weather when it comes to electric bikes, only that there is bad weather clothing. If you dress appropriately, you won’t have any problems and should be able to ride all year long.