E-Bikes and the Rain: 5 Do's and Don'ts

Can you ride your e-bike in the rain?

With Brisbane's storms and rain events this is a common question. There are some do's - and one big don't - that you should bear in mind - and this covers flood situations if your ebike is stored somewhere at risk.

If you want to avoid some of the worry, though, get an electric bike with a quality drive system that has certified IP ratings, such as a Bosch-powered electric bike.

Kalkhoff K26 Entice L Season Wave EBike, Dusk Blue

$4,499

Focus F26 Aventura2 6.7 Wave E-Bike - Silver

$5,499

Tern Vektron P5i E-Bike 400Wh

$6,995

1. The one big 'DON'T'

Riding an ebike in the rain is the same as a normal bike except...

Do not ride through water that will submerge your motor and battery and do not leave your ebike in submerged water. 

Riding through deep water is not recommended in any situation, whether you are on an ebike or not. However, if you have no option, then we recommend turning off your electrics before riding (or walking it) through without power.

Unfortunately, you won't know once you have made it through whether water has gotten into your motor or battery casing or not. So to be safe, we recommend you don't turn your power on again until you are certain it has dried out; otherwise, you risk shorting out. This may mean finishing your ride without the power on.

Similar principles should be applied for storing your ebike. Avoid leaving it anywhere where it is at risk of being submerged. If it is submerged, then there is a high probability of water seeping into the motor, display, and battery casing. While it will dry out in time, the damage caused through eg. rust, may be irreversible. 

2. DO. Be More Cautious

Do ABS Brakes Make Riding in the Rain Safer?

Yes, in treacherous riding conditions, ABS brakes on electric bikes will make braking far safer. Several Bosch-powered electric bikes now come equipped with ABS braking, or have the option to have ABS fitted at the factory when you order. Most Riese & Muller electric bikes, for example, can be fitted  with ABS brakes if you custom order. Some Tern cargo ebikes also come with ABS, and the Focus Thron2 6.8 EMTB and Kalkhoff Entice 7+ Excite are some adventure-oriented models that offer this.

Sale

Focus F26 Thron2 6.8 ABS EMTB - ExDisplay

$6,799 $7,999

Riese & Muller Superdelite5 Rohloff E-Bike ABS

$16,928

Tern GSD S10 Gen 3 Cargo E-Bike

$10,995

3. DO. Get the Right Gear 

At a minimum, the right gear in the wet can make your life a whole lot more comfortable, and at the extreme, it can help save your life. 

We're talking about things such as: 

•  • Safety gear - for example, lights and high vis clothing. A helmet is mandatory anyway, but it has the added benefit of keeping water out of your eyes if it has a visor. Clear glasses or goggles are recommended, too. 
•  • Tire pressures - lowering your tire pressures so you have more traction in the wet can be a huge advantage. Aim for lower to mid pressure, depending on how much load you are carrying. See this article on tire maintenance for how to check recommended tire pressures. 
•  • Weatherproof gear - having mudguards in the wet can help keep you and your bike clean. (There are lots of good removable options if you don't like to normally carry them.) Furthermore having waterproof panniers to hand and some spare ziplock or silicone bags can help protect your valuables. 

4. DO. Clean Your Bike and Battery Points

A quick clean of your ebike after riding in the rain only takes a few minutes and will pay dividends on your service bills down the track. 

A wipedown cleans it and helps you spot if there is any damage, but there are two things that you can do that will really make a difference. These are: 

•  • Clean and re-lube your chain and drive train. If you don't like crunchy or slipping gears, then this is a must. Have a look at #5 Rear Wheel, Chain and Gears in our EBike M Check for more info. 
•  • Battery contact points. If you are concerned with crud getting into your battery surrounds, then take your battery out, wipe down with a soft, clean cloth and clean the contact points with contact cleaner.  

If your bike is really wet and you are concerned that water has gotten into the battery contact points, then use a leaf blower to disperse the water after you take the battery out.  Leave the battery out of the bike for a few hours to let the system completely dry. 

5. DO. Cover Your Battery and Display If Travelling

If you are travelling somewhere in the rain with your ebike mounted on an external carrier, then take care with moisture getting into your battery or display. While most reputable e-bikes are IP-rated, it is something to consider for longer trips, as when on or behind a moving car, the force of the rain is multiplied, a bit like a gurney.

Displays and batteries can be susceptible to getting moisture so for longer trips it is recommended to protect them. 

There are bespoke covers available that you can purchase, and you can also make your own if handy. For example, a neoprene cover with velcro. 

What IP Rating do Bosch EBikes have? 

Most Bosch ebike components have an IP rating of IP54 or IP55. This means that they are splash-proof and able to withstand low-pressure hoses. See all Bosch EBikes

If you remove your battery and put it in the car, then, for some styles of batteries and displays, you can purchase battery plates or pin covers to help keep the weather out. Contact us for brand-specific options.

Riding an EBike in the Wet Can Be Fun

Rainy weather, even a rain event, is not a reason to stop riding. In fact, it can be great fun, especially if you don't have an accident or damage your ebike!

We hope these tips help make your next (rainy) ride just as enjoyable as your sunny ones.

If you have an issue that you would like our service centre to take a look at, you can book your ebike HERE>>

Not Sure Which eBike Suits You? Complete our EBikefinder and we will provide you with a short list.