Electric bikes in the rain query

[PennyFarthing]

Can anyone put me straight on this conundrum? I'm still unclear after years of owning an electric bike, whether its safe for the bike to be out in the rain?

I've been careful/wary not to go out in the rain or anything more than light drizzle but now I'm hoping to be more than a fair weather e-cyclist, if its possible.

Also the cycle rack at work isn't covered, so my bike it open to the elements so unsure if I should cover it or not if it rains when parked with the battery taken off.

Many thanks,
Penny

PS: It says under my posts (see below) the type bike I ride if that makes any difference to the answer

 

[flecc]

I don't know if your Reptila has the Yamaha or Bosch power unit, but both are good from a waterproofing point of view, the Yamaha especially so.

However it's best with any bike parked for long periods in the open to avoid soaking, so a bike cover is a good investment. There are many of them on the market, ebay etc, but if you have the Yamaha unit the bike is a bit longer than standard due to the battery placement behind the seatpost so make sure you buy a long enough cover.

The cover shouldn't reach right to the ground to ensure air circulation to evaporate water already on the bike due to rain while riding. It can be folded and carried on your bike carrier when out of use.
.

 

[Emo Rider]

I ride my BH 700 City in all kinds of weather. I have racked up over 3,000 miles, rain or shine, in the last 1 1/2 years. I have experienced no water damage. I know of other ebike riders, who commute daily, that have covered far greater distances with no issue. Parking your bike during the day in the rain is not ideal regardless of the type of bike it is. With proper lubrication and care it should stand up but I would not reccommend leaving any bike outside to the elements all of the time. Removing your battery in the rain may cause more problems than leaving it in as it could leave your electrics below vunerable unless you covered it. My bike came with a cover for the battery mount if I would be riding without the battery. Hope this helps

 

[trex]

IIRC, you've bought a Gepida 1000 with Bosch motor?
These bikes are well waterproof, little to worry about.
Chinese bikes are not so well protected against rain. They usually have a throttle and brake sensors whose electronics can easily be damaged by rain. Mechanical brakes have soft casings and exposed steel cables, are also prone to water damage.
If you have crank drive motor, downtube battery, hydraulic brakes, hub gears, fully enclosed chainguard, leather saddle, then your bike has the best protection against rain. If not, you can protect the individual items like the battery and saddle with a shower cap.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

If you wear a cape in the rain, it will keep both you and the bike dry. You might also be able to use it as a bike cover when you park it. You might need a couple of bungee straps to hold it in place.

 

[literking]

Where can you buy these Capes, I have tried buying one for months, there only seems to be £1 shop Rubbish available

 

[Nealh]

Have a look on Ebay or Amazon to start with, then look at online bike shops
Chain Reaction, Wiggle, Winstanleys just to name a few.

 

[jonathan75]

Yes search eBay for 'bike rain coat', there's plenty around the £6 mark.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Where can you buy these Capes, I have tried buying one for months, there only seems to be £1 shop Rubbish available

Wilkos have them for about £10. I got my favourite one in Aldi, but they only have them once a year.

 

[literking]

Ah! thanks for that - I will check them out tomorrow

 

[literking]

Have a look on Ebay or Amazon to start with, then look at online bike shops
Chain Reaction, Wiggle, Winstanleys just to name a few.

 

[literking]

Thanks - appreciated info

 

[steve.c]

Can anyone put me straight on this conundrum? I'm still unclear after years of owning an electric bike, whether its safe for the bike to be out in the rain?

I've been careful/wary not to go out in the rain or anything more than light drizzle but now I'm hoping to be more than a fair weather e-cyclist, if its possible.

Also the cycle rack at work isn't covered, so my bike it open to the elements so unsure if I should cover it or not if it rains when parked with the battery taken off.

Many thanks,
Penny

PS: It says under my posts (see below) the type bike I ride if that makes any difference to the answer

Hi Penny..I ride my Freego Eagle every day in all weathers and commute 10 miles each way although its parked indoors at work! I'll leave it chained up in town or outside the pub for a few hours in the pouring rain and have never had a problem with water getting in and have ridden around 25000 miles or so I shouldn't worry to much?? What I would advise though is to spray all the electric bits on handlebars etc with a light coat of WD40 which should help a lot and if you're bike has holes in the frame for the wiring to go in behind the front wheel make sure that the holes are filled in with silicone to stop the water going into the frame and then down to the control unit and the wiring exit at the rear.Hope this helps

 

[Nealh]

Although bikes are water resistant the electric side and associated components are thes that will fail due to moisture so a bike cover/cape is a good idea. The battery is vulnerable as Cwah found out with his 09 usb one.

 

[halfer]

I have two Bosch-powered bikes, both of which have taken a drenching, and they have been mostly fine. The one hiccup I have had with the Ave XH-3 is that the Classic control panel managed to draw in a fill of water - I think there was water in the recess of the holder, and when I brought it into the warm, the panel expanded and sucked it in! I took it apart, drained it, and put it on a radiator - and it still works.

I agree with other comments about leaving bikes locked up in the rain - probably OK for short periods, but keep them under cover if you can.

 

[PennyFarthing]

I don't know if your Reptila has the Yamaha or Bosch power unit, but both are good from a waterproofing point of view, the Yamaha especially so.

However it's best with any bike parked for long periods in the open to avoid soaking, so a bike cover is a good investment. There are many of them on the market, ebay etc, but if you have the Yamaha unit the bike is a bit longer than standard due to the battery placement behind the seatpost so make sure you buy a long enough cover.

The cover shouldn't reach right to the ground to ensure air circulation to evaporate water already on the bike due to rain while riding. It can be folded and carried on your bike carrier when out of use.
.

I think I have the Yahama version as IIRC the Bosch came later. *Just checked the battery - its a yahama.

Great tips and good to know re circulation.

Thanks so much for replying.
Penny

 

[PennyFarthing]

I ride my BH 700 City in all kinds of weather. I have racked up over 3,000 miles, rain or shine, in the last 1 1/2 years. I have experienced no water damage. I know of other ebike riders, who commute daily, that have covered far greater distances with no issue. Parking your bike during the day in the rain is not ideal regardless of the type of bike it is. With proper lubrication and care it should stand up but I would not reccommend leaving any bike outside to the elements all of the time. Removing your battery in the rain may cause more problems than leaving it in as it could leave your electrics below vunerable unless you covered it. My bike came with a cover for the battery mount if I would be riding without the battery. Hope this helps

Also great advice so thanks to you too. I did wonder about taking the battery off would leave the electrics to the elements.

Thanks very much for replying,
Penny

 

[PennyFarthing]

IIRC, you've bought a Gepida 1000 with Bosch motor?
These bikes are well waterproof, little to worry about.
Chinese bikes are not so well protected against rain. They usually have a throttle and brake sensors whose electronics can easily be damaged by rain. Mechanical brakes have soft casings and exposed steel cables, are also prone to water damage.
If you have crank drive motor, downtube battery, hydraulic brakes, hub gears, fully enclosed chainguard, leather saddle, then your bike has the best protection against rain. If not, you can protect the individual items like the battery and saddle with a shower cap.

Yes and no. I think I have the Yamaha version. (Its Yahama on the battery). I think the Bosch version came later.

Ah, so its the cheaper bikes that are more vulnerable - that makes sense. I don't have a throttle - I didn't want/need one as I just wanted assistance in the hills around here. Might need one in the future though.

Yes I have crank motor with downtube battery. Not completely covered chainguard though.

Thanks so much for replying,
Penny

 

[PennyFarthing]

If you wear a cape in the rain, it will keep both you and the bike dry. You might also be able to use it as a bike cover when you park it. You might need a couple of bungee straps to hold it in place.

I bought a pocket packed one in the Netherlands that I've since seen cheaper at the desk in UK book stores. Its probably very disposable and flyaway. I've not unpacked it from its packet yet.

 

[PennyFarthing]

Hi Penny..I ride my Freego Eagle every day in all weathers and commute 10 miles each way although its parked indoors at work! I'll leave it chained up in town or outside the pub for a few hours in the pouring rain and have never had a problem with water getting in and have ridden around 25000 miles or so I shouldn't worry to much?? What I would advise though is to spray all the electric bits on handlebars etc with a light coat of WD40 which should help a lot and if you're bike has holes in the frame for the wiring to go in behind the front wheel make sure that the holes are filled in with silicone to stop the water going into the frame and then down to the control unit and the wiring exit at the rear.Hope this helps

Great info - thanks so much. I think I do have holes in the frame for wiring - will check in daylight - that's a great tip.

This does help - thanks for replying,
Penny