E-BIKING IN WINTER – THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO


After a warm start to the season and with the turn of the New Year, winter has now arrived. Many cyclists are now wondering whether it makes sense to ride their e-bike in these often adverse conditions. The answer is quite clear: Yes. Because with the right tips, cycling is also fun in winter and is a good alternative to taking the car, even in low temperatures. To help you enjoy being out on your bike even in the colder months of the year, this article answers the most important questions about e-biking in winter.

CAN YOU RIDE AN E-BIKE IN WINTER?

Wet, cold weather, snowfall and often icy and slippery roads – winter is anything but good for us cyclists. The cold season is not only a challenge for us humans, but also for the material. Many people therefore wonder to what extent e-bikes, with their complex technology, are actually suitable for riding extensively during the winter months. To be fair, a justified question. Because an e-bike is much more sensitive than a traditional, mechanical bicycle due to its electric drive and, in particular, its battery.

Nevertheless, we can give the all-clear here straight away. Even though an e-bike battery delivers its best performance at temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius, the battery delivers enough performance even at 0 degrees Celsius or slightly sub-zero temperatures to get you from A to B in a powerful and safe way. Basically, e-bike batteries work in a temperature range between minus 10 degrees and plus 50 degrees. The range should cover almost all your rides. So whether you can ride an e-bike in winter depends primarily on the road conditions and your personal capacity for withstanding the cold.

WINTER E-BIKES – HOW DO I MAKE MY PEDELEC WINTERPROOF?

The drive and the battery are, of course, not the only components that have to withstand the cold, frost and snow. In winter, the e-bike should also be equipped to meet the demands of the cold season. And that starts with the brakes. These must be well maintained so that they work even in cold and wet conditions.

It is also advisable to switch to winter tires in good time. These not only have a better grip, but also have a rubber compound that is better adapted to the colder weather conditions. If you’re out on ice and snow, you can also equip your e-bike with bicycle tires with spikes. These have small metal pins on the tread that bite into the ground. Adhesion is thus also ensured even in slippery conditions.

The lighting is also important. Especially when you’re using your e-bike on the way to work, you’ll often have to ride in the dark during the winter months. Make sure that your e-bike has a strong lighting system and upgrade it if necessary. You can find tips on e-bike lighting in our blog.

And one more thing: whether it’s a brake check, a bicycle tire change or any other conversion work – you can get help from your nearest specialist store.

WHAT CLOTHES SHOULD I WEAR WHEN RIDING AN E-BIKE IN WINTER?

Your e-bike is now winterproof – congratulations! Before embarking on your next tour on the snowy roads, you should take a look at your personal equipment.

To ensure that you have as much riding fun as possible on your winter e-bike tours, you need the right clothing. Traditionally, the onion principle of wearing several layers has proven its worth here. Start with a breathable base layer followed by additional layers that can be used to regulate heat and moisture. These layers are designed to protect against sub-zero temperatures, but also to evaporate the sweat. The outermost layer of clothing should then not only be waterproof, but also windproof in order to hold off the icy winter wind as well as possible.

Additional clothing is essential when cycling in winter, including, for example, warm cycling gloves. You will also require thick cycling socks, neoprene overshoes and a helmet cap that you can wear under your bicycle helmet. Not only will you feel warm during your winter rides, but you will also be protected from the wet.

FIT Inhaltbild E-Bike Urlaub
FIT Inhaltbild E-Bike Reichweite

WHAT DO I NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN CYCLING IN WINTER?

Your e-bike is winterproof and you’ve got the right clothes – now you’re ready to go! The most important thing about cycling in winter is the topic of safety. Whether it’s snow, aquaplaning or ice, cycling in winter can be dangerous. That’s why you should check the weather conditions carefully before setting off. See whether the temperatures actually allow you to ride a bike. Also find out to what extent the roads are slippery.

Either way: during the winter months, you should always ride as carefully as possible. This includes paying attention to your speed when riding. Especially on bends, there is a great risk of you suddenly starting to slide in slippery conditions and losing control of your e-bike.

That’s why you should always keep an eye on the ground. Even in wet conditions, the grip decreases considerably compared to a dry road. With slush, even the freshest asphalt strip is transformed into a slide. And in the case of black ice, only the tires with spikes mentioned above will help. Otherwise, this is certainly when you should start pushing your bike. Please note: Since e-bikes are often heavier than conventional bicycles, it is also much more challenging to get them under control once they have started to slide.

Leaves lying on the roads during the transition period between the fall and winter can be particularly treacherous. Especially in October and November, ice can form on the roads during the often very cold nights, and this is then covered by falling leaves. This poses a correspondingly high risk of skidding for us cyclists. Ice covered with either leaves or snow is one of the main causes of bicycle accidents during the cold season. But you also need to be careful in the spring: Even if daytime temperatures are already starting to rise, it can still be frosty at night which makes it more difficult to ride an e-bike in the morning. Really treacherous.

HOW SHOULD I LOOK AFTER MY E-BIKE IN WINTER?

If you’ve taken some e-bike tours in wintry temperatures, you’ll notice that the wear and tear on your e-bike is significantly higher in the cold months of the year than in summer when it’s warm outside. And no wonder: The cold, wet weather and salt on the roads are severely damaging to the components. It is therefore important to care for your e-bike in winter. This includes regularly checking the functionality of the various components.

The brakes in particular, but also the gear shift, are particularly affected by external influences. So you should check your braking system and its functionality at regular intervals. The chain and the gears should also be lubricated regularly. Testing the tire pressure is also important. Here, too, the temperature differences during the cold season ensure that the air escapes faster. This applies even more so when you park your e-bike in a cold garage.

HOW SHOULD I STORE MY E-BIKE CORRECTLY IN WINTER?

This brings us to the last important point when it comes to e-biking in winter. Storing your pedelec correctly is also part of the winter care routine. As mentioned at the beginning, e-bikes prefer temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees. As a result, you should not leave your e-bike outdoors overnight, but rather store it inside if possible. If this is not possible, e-bikes should at least be parked in places that are protected from rain and snow.

The battery in particular should always be taken into your house or apartment in winter and recharged there. This prevents discharge due to low temperatures and ensures a longer lifetime of your e-bike battery. In our blog, you will find six tips for storing your e-bike battery in winter. six tips for storing your e-bike battery in winter.

E-BIKES IN WINTER – A SUMMARY

Despite the cold and snow, e-bike tours can also be a great pleasure in winter. All the more so if you follow the tips given here. To help your pedelec survive the cold months of the year, make sure it is winterproof and take good care of it. You should also wear suitable clothing. The most important thing is to be particularly careful when riding in winter. Then even the iciest e-bike tour becomes a wintry pleasure ride. And one more thing – numerous studies show that cycling in winter strengthens the immune system. This is another reason to get on your pedelec even in the colder months of the year!

Riding an e-bike in winter – a checklist

  1. Make sure your e-bike is winterproof.
  2. Get the right clothes to protect yourself against the cold and wet.
  3. Get the right clothes to protect yourself against the cold and wet.
  4. Ride as carefully as possible to avoid falling on a slippery surface.
  5. Maintain your e-bike regularly to prevent wear and tear.
  6. Park and store your e-bike in protected areas.
  7. Charge and store the battery at room temperature if possible.

31.01.2022