Cycling in rain?

Rach

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 23, 2009
12
0
Sorry if this sounds a bit thick, but what is the position re getting the bike wet? Have taken delivery of a new Synergie Mistral (looks great) but the battery has a warning not to get it wet! A little difficult in the rain I would have thought?

Are the batteries supposed to be covered or are we only supposed to be fair weather riders?
Thanks
Rach
 

torrent99

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 14, 2008
395
36
Highgate, London
Sorry if this sounds a bit thick, but what is the position re getting the bike wet? Have taken delivery of a new Synergie Mistral (looks great) but the battery has a warning not to get it wet! A little difficult in the rain I would have thought?

Are the batteries supposed to be covered or are we only supposed to be fair weather riders?
Thanks
Rach
Shouldn't be a problem usually. Some have had problems where the water gets into the throttle or controller circuitry, but usually this is sorted out by standing the bike in a warm dry place for a few hours...

And it's only really torrential rain you need to worry about!
 

Mussels

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 17, 2008
3,207
8
Crowborough
Some people have had trouble from cycling in the rain with water getting in the switches, try searching for synergie and rain maybe. Some bikes seem to have no problems coping with water so it may be OK.
 

Fecn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 28, 2008
491
2
Warlingham, Surrey
I try to avoid cycling in the rain if possible because I don't like it running down my neck. However.. I do an awful lot of cycling in very muddy conditions and as such, my Kalkhoff Agattu bike gets a significant hosing down after pretty much every journey (it lives indoors on carpet, so mud is not good). So far, I've never had a single problem.

Of course... that doesn't necessarily mean that the Synergie Mistral is as waterproof.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,560
30,849
Not normally a problem, but sometimes these battery cases are in two vertical halves and water can seep into the seam, possibly their concern. I know of someone noting rusty looking water in a similar battery case.

If your case has that seam, a strip of pvc insulating tape over it both in front and over the top should safeguard against the eventuality.
.
 

rog_london

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 3, 2009
764
2
Harrow, Middlesex
Not normally a problem, but sometimes these battery cases are in two vertical halves and water can seep into the seam, possibly their concern. I know of someone noting rusty looking water in a similar battery case.

If your case has that seam, a strip of pvc insulating tape over it both in front and over the top should safeguard against the eventuality.
.
That's a great idea - fellow Wisper owners, take note!

Rog.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,560
30,849
It was another make, not Wisper, where the water in the case cropped up, though any case where the two halves don't fit tightly together could suffer of course.

It seems from the above that Synergie are nervous about the possibility.
.
 

torrent99

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 14, 2008
395
36
Highgate, London
It was another make, not Wisper, where the water in the case cropped up, though any case where the two halves don't fit tightly together could suffer of course.

It seems from the above that Synergie are nervous about the possibility.
.
I seem to remember from seeing pictures of the Synergie, that the battery is not of this "verticle split" type. I seem to remember it looks more like an square aluminium "jar" with a black plastic "lid" on the top. So the battery should be fine...
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,560
30,849
I seem to remember from seeing pictures of the Synergie, that the battery is not of this "verticle split" type. I seem to remember it looks more like an square aluminium "jar" with a black plastic "lid" on the top. So the battery should be fine...
I had that impression from the photos too, and the Synergie concern had me wondering. There must be a reason for it though, and it would be interesting to find out what that is, possibly a leak conceivable at the base or top joins.
.
 

CeeGee

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 4, 2009
328
0
Weybridge, UK
The way some companies use warnings (packet of mixed nuts with the warning "This product may contain nuts") - maybe they mean "do not take this battery case into the bath with you or clean in the washing machine".

Colin
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,560
30,849
The way some companies use warnings (packet of mixed nuts with the warning "This product may contain nuts") - maybe they mean "do not take this battery case into the bath with you or clean in the washing machine".

Colin
From the eZee Torq 1 owners manual:

THINGS TO AVOID

3) Avoid riding in rain

Under the advice on cycling, it also says:

You should not ride at dawn, dusk and night unless absolutely necessary.
.
 

CeeGee

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 4, 2009
328
0
Weybridge, UK
From the eZee Torq 1 owners manual:

THINGS TO AVOID

3) Avoid riding in rain

Under the advice on cycling, it also says:

You should not ride at dawn, dusk and night unless absolutely necessary.
.
Hmm - I agree with them and naturally I take their advice, but nothing there about wind, cold, traffic on the road, or turning right. Four things I avoid at all costs - I don't get out much. :D

Colin
 

Barnowl

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 18, 2008
954
1
Yeah, I agree they are things to avoid. Not to mention potholes, gritting, ice, hawthorn trimmings, glass and those nasty crossed of areas of the road where all the bits of rubbish and discarded metalwork collect. Also fords can be a bit scary this time of the year.
 

tenderbehind

Pedelecer
Oct 31, 2008
159
0
Get a can of ''Corrossion Guard'' made for or by Yamaha Marine, if it's good enough for keeping sea water out of outboard engine surfaces and electrics it's good enough for e bikes surely, I've sprayed both my Powarbyke and Wisper 905se with this and so no sign of rust or water ingress anywhere.