treknavigator
11-08-09, 05:25 PM
Is anybody out there giving it a try
Winter Cycling - Ebikers in the winter
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LesMcLuffAlot
11-08-09, 07:35 PM
I plan on using my ebike this winter occasionally for my work commute,
I bought my BionX system Oct 2008. I used it for a month till winter started to hit full force. I considered the bike it was mounted on and the system itself to valuable to submit to the salt used in my area. So I put it away till spring of 2009. I rode my winter specific commuting bike on the days I did ride.
The bike is a 2000 Rocky Mountain Vertex Team Only. It's an XTR equiped top of the line cross country racer. Ultra thin wall aluminum frame. MSRP in 2000 was $4995....lol. Was raced a season or 2 before put out to pasture and turned into a commuting bike. It has a BionX PL-350Lion system.
The bike itself will be 10 years old in 2010 so I figure it's time to stop babying it. If the thin wall tubing can't handle the -30C mornings, it's given me 10 years of good service. Can't complain too much.
I plan to use it on mornings with significant snow accumilation. Spring, summer and fall I can get to work in 17-18mins riding my ebike or my road bike if I'm hauling ass. On seriously snowy mornings that route can take 30-40mins on my winter bike. I haven't ridden my ebike in snow yet, but I'm excited on trying it. Should make the ride a lot faster those mornings.
I also plan on using it on those -30C mornings where the motivation to ride a bike to work is seriously lacking. Riding my BionX equiped bike is always a hoot. Hopefully that doesn't happen to often.
I bought my BionX system Oct 2008. I used it for a month till winter started to hit full force. I considered the bike it was mounted on and the system itself to valuable to submit to the salt used in my area. So I put it away till spring of 2009. I rode my winter specific commuting bike on the days I did ride.
The bike is a 2000 Rocky Mountain Vertex Team Only. It's an XTR equiped top of the line cross country racer. Ultra thin wall aluminum frame. MSRP in 2000 was $4995....lol. Was raced a season or 2 before put out to pasture and turned into a commuting bike. It has a BionX PL-350Lion system.
The bike itself will be 10 years old in 2010 so I figure it's time to stop babying it. If the thin wall tubing can't handle the -30C mornings, it's given me 10 years of good service. Can't complain too much.
I plan to use it on mornings with significant snow accumilation. Spring, summer and fall I can get to work in 17-18mins riding my ebike or my road bike if I'm hauling ass. On seriously snowy mornings that route can take 30-40mins on my winter bike. I haven't ridden my ebike in snow yet, but I'm excited on trying it. Should make the ride a lot faster those mornings.
I also plan on using it on those -30C mornings where the motivation to ride a bike to work is seriously lacking. Riding my BionX equiped bike is always a hoot. Hopefully that doesn't happen to often.
electrik
11-08-09, 08:38 PM
Not a good idea if you live anywhere with real winter conditions.
- if your battery pack isn't lithium-ion based don't bother
- if your "ebike" is one of those scooters with an electric motor, don't bother.
- if you ride in salty slush your connectors, motor, hub and frame parts near a connector will corrode so fast you'll need bus tickets after the first week.
- many ebikes have horrible handling due to weight imbalances, do you really want to be wrestling with that weight over ice and snow banks... no
- KISS; Winter cycling is an extreme usage of a normal bicycle which are far more durable than those ebikes.
All in all it's a good way to ruin your ebike, so please go ahead and "ride" it all winter long cuz i hate those things!
- if your battery pack isn't lithium-ion based don't bother
- if your "ebike" is one of those scooters with an electric motor, don't bother.
- if you ride in salty slush your connectors, motor, hub and frame parts near a connector will corrode so fast you'll need bus tickets after the first week.
- many ebikes have horrible handling due to weight imbalances, do you really want to be wrestling with that weight over ice and snow banks... no
- KISS; Winter cycling is an extreme usage of a normal bicycle which are far more durable than those ebikes.
All in all it's a good way to ruin your ebike, so please go ahead and "ride" it all winter long cuz i hate those things!
nwmtnbkr
11-08-09, 08:56 PM
Is anybody out there giving it a try
My bike has an electric assist kit that I added this summer. I've winterized it (still have to add the fenders)--here's a good video on winterizing/waterproofing your ebike. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZh-Kq3CbCQ&feature=related If you're prepared to take proper care (ensure it's winterized and waterproofed, plus keep the frame cleaned and the chain cleaned and lubed) it should be fine. I have a heated room in my garage shop where I'll clean off the bike. I plan on keeping the bike frame clean and waxed and the chain cleaned and lubed (I tend to clean my bike once a week in the spring, summer and fall too). If you check out the electric bike forums on Endless-Sphere you'll see many ebike owners use their bikes all year round. You just need to take care of them (like any vehicle).
My bike has an electric assist kit that I added this summer. I've winterized it (still have to add the fenders)--here's a good video on winterizing/waterproofing your ebike. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZh-Kq3CbCQ&feature=related If you're prepared to take proper care (ensure it's winterized and waterproofed, plus keep the frame cleaned and the chain cleaned and lubed) it should be fine. I have a heated room in my garage shop where I'll clean off the bike. I plan on keeping the bike frame clean and waxed and the chain cleaned and lubed (I tend to clean my bike once a week in the spring, summer and fall too). If you check out the electric bike forums on Endless-Sphere you'll see many ebike owners use their bikes all year round. You just need to take care of them (like any vehicle).
RLSchell
11-10-09, 12:50 PM
Is anybody out there giving it a try
Sure, last year I rode my Electrec through mid-December and started up again early February. The only reason I was off the road during that time was the icy weather. I have studs on right now and plan to ride all winter this season. My bike uses SLA batteries and I experienced no problem with loss of power or reduced range. During the work day, my bike is indoors in a heated office and during nights/weekends it lives in my unheated garage. I keep the charger plugged in whenever I'm not riding. I wipe down my chain every couple weeks and the frame and rims as needed. I do use full fenders which help to keep the worst gunk off the frame.
Sure, last year I rode my Electrec through mid-December and started up again early February. The only reason I was off the road during that time was the icy weather. I have studs on right now and plan to ride all winter this season. My bike uses SLA batteries and I experienced no problem with loss of power or reduced range. During the work day, my bike is indoors in a heated office and during nights/weekends it lives in my unheated garage. I keep the charger plugged in whenever I'm not riding. I wipe down my chain every couple weeks and the frame and rims as needed. I do use full fenders which help to keep the worst gunk off the frame.