Updated: Dec 26, 2020
Firstly let’s think about you….
There’s nothing finer than a bike ride on a crisp autumn or even winter day…
but there’s a few basic rules;
You must be warm otherwise it’s a chore and not a pleasure.
Now an e-bike makes this really easy. On a normal pedal cycle you can’t dress up too warm because as soon as you reach a hill and start to sweat, it means that you’re going to get cold very fast as soon as you stop sweating when you go fast downhill and get the wind chill factor. On an e- bike just use a bit more power and regulate your effort so you stay comfortable going up the hills and down the dales!
Bits that get cold are hands and head so a scarf or beanie hat under your helmet are a boon and if you do get warm they are easy to take off for a quick cool down.
Neoprene gloves are best for the winter because they trap air, even when wet. All the best insulation is simply good at trapping air (which is the real insulator), like wool for example, only when wool gets wet the water displaces the air and that evaporates and leaves you feeling cold…. but I digress.
Obviously, even if you are not sweating, waterproof but breathable outer garments and moisture management underwear are also an advantage as they allow moist air to escape before sweat builds up. Anyone care to guess my previous job?!!
Oh and we love our snoods… pull them up over your nose and breathe warm air!
OK so that’s you taken care of but what about your e-bike?
Well the first thing to suffer in the cold is your battery.
In case you never noticed, on a very cold day, your hill climbing is slower and your battery runs out quicker, that’s simply because the battery generates electricity by a reversible (when you charge) chemical reaction and this happens slower when its cold (well don’t we all!).
SO keeping your battery warm with a nice neoprene jacket (pictured) will increase your power and extend your range so a good investment. Get one from us for about £30.
While we’re on the subject of batteries …. Just a reminder….
Listen carefully and have a long and happy life with your expensive Lithium-ion battery.
Bosch actually guarantee their batteries for 2 years. This doesn’t mean your battery will give up after 2 years and 1 day. In fact Bosch themselves state that the battery should be good for around 8-9 years or 1000 full charge cycles. After 1000 cycles the battery will still work, but any battery will age over time so it will start to lose capacity and therefore not power your electric bike so far.
So keep your battery fully charged unless you know you will not be using it for a long while, in which case store it at about 60%.
Keep your battery warm. 15 deg C is the optimum so if you can, during the winter leave the bike in the shed but bring the battery inside.
For the rest of the bike, well they are pretty bomb-proof but keeping your pride and joy clean should be a no-brainer as it will improve reliability and make wear or a fault much easier to spot, so its much safer.
It’s also much nicer to get on a clean bike so just give it a quick hose off or brush with a bucket of water when you get home. A little washing up liquid will help but don’t go mad with special bike cleaners. They make the job easy and look and smell nice but the silicone that most contain will make your brakes scream!
(By the way clean bikes are easier quicker and cheaper to service and repair!)
Oh and avoid the temptation to use a jet wash … I’ll tell you when I see you!
A minimum of proper bike chain lube on the chain and Bob’s your uncle….
If we get a really bad winter … time to break out the snow tyres! (more about that if it happens!)
Paul
