Using Your Electric Bike in the Rain - 2021 Guide

Electric Bikes, and especially those at Movin’ E-bikes, work well in many weather or environmental conditions. Whether it's rain or snow, you can be sure that you’ll be in control of your ride thanks to our quality e-bike build, coupled with our all season, all terrain tires. Riding your electric bike in slightly wet conditions should not be a problem, but use your own discretion. If there’s a thunderstorm and/or heavy rain, your controller or motor could get flooded - especially if you’re passing through a particularly deep puddle. In this case it’s best to stay at home or seek some cover and wait for that pesky rain to pass.

        Don’t worry though! We understand that at times, the weather can be unpredictable, and you have no choice but to take your electric bike in the rain. Riding in the rain is a bit different than regular riding. Many cyclists and people new to e-bikes don’t know how to handle their bike in such conditions. So let's take a dive into some of the helpful tips of riding and using your ebike in the rain.

1. Thick Tires

       Thick tires are the safest and best option for wet roads. The reason for their excellent quality on wet roads is because their larger area allows for better traction with the ground which gives you better control of your ride. Not only in rain conditions, your fat tire electric bike can conquer mud, snow, and trails with ease thanks to your fat tires. Thick tires, in general, are much better than thin tires because of their versatility and ability to adapt to any road condition. Wet roads can certainly get slippery and troublesome, the thick tires will be there to help you maintain full control of your ride and keep you Movin’.

2. Hydraulic Disc Brakes

       Having the ability to safely brake in any ride condition is so important for any rider. When it comes to bike and e-bike brakes, nothing beats hydraulic disc brakes. You may be wondering, what’s that? Don’t worry, I’ll explain.

        Disc brakes are a newer form of brakes that are better than rim brakes. On any old style bicycle, the brakes typically work by pinching the sides of the tire (rims), this is what gives the stopping power. With disc brakes, the brake pads actually pinch a separate disc that is attached to the tire and rim. With disc brakes, you get a much stronger and smoother stopping force compared to rim brakes. Now, combine that with hydraulic fluid and that’s an added level of protection and performance! Hydraulic disc brakes use brake fluid so you only have to use very little pressure by pinching on the brakes to stop your e-bike safely and smoothly. Keeping all this in mind - when you’re in slippery or wet conditions, the hydraulic disc brake is your best best and will keep you safe, guaranteed. When braking in rainy conditions, just remember to brake earlier than you usually would.

        Another important thing to mention is that rim brakes typically catch all sorts of debris from the road such as water and oil and all kinds of dirt. When the braking apparatus is by the center of the wheel, you’re able to brake more effectively and without issues. Many good quality electric bikes come with disc brakes and the best are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes to give you the ultimate stopping power and safety whether you’re taking your e-bike on a ride in a busy city or mountain biking on trails.

3. Front and Rear Fenders
       
       E-bike and bike fenders are often an overlooked detail that could cause you a lot of headaches and annoyances down the line, as well as potential injuries! Fenders are fundamentally designed to protect you from splashes and debris that is picked up by your tires during your pedaling and riding. Fenders either come in the front, back or both and protect your ebike from water, debris, snow, mud, rain - depending on your riding conditions. Movin’ electric bikes come equipped with full metal fenders, covering the front tire and rear tire. Don’t worry about getting your clothes wet or dealing with the pesky dirt and debris that's on roads, our fenders will keep you fresh and clean and focused on the road.

        If you’re using your e-bike as a commute vehicle and want to stay clean, make sure to get an electric bike with fenders. And if an e-bike company is trying to sell you fenders as an add-on then stay away! Having fenders on an e-bike should be a bare minimum.

4. Front and Rear Lights
  
       Visibility in rainy conditions can differ depending on the strength of the rain, time of day or where you’re riding (well lit city or in the countryside). “How to see when riding an ebike in the rain” is one of the most commonly asked questions by riders! The simple answer: make sure your e-bike is equipped with great front and rear lights so that you can see where you’re going and drivers around you can see you as well! Regardless of the weather conditions or where you’re riding, lights are extremely important. At Movin’ we equip our bikes with a strong front 450 lumens light that can be seen hundreds of feet away, and a rear brake light with brake light indicator, so other cyclists and drivers know when you’re pressing the brakes. Our tires are also equipped with reflective indicators to keep you as visible as possible during the night time. There’s no such thing as too much light, so when you can, wear reflective clothing and if you’d like, add extra lights to your e-bike!

After Your Electric Bike Ride
  
       If you take your electric bike through the ringer during your ride it'll be covered in all sorts of debris, mud, snow etc. Especially if it gets wet, you want to wipe it down with a nice cloth and make sure it's all dry before parking it for the night. You want to make sure you get the entire bike, but especially the tires, frame, derailleur, and chain before it dries up and becomes rigid, possibly leading to more problems in the future. Keep a small towel or cloth with you if you live in a rainy area or at your workplace and give your e-bike a nice dry down.

        Rain has this pesky quality of washing debris into your tire more likely, so after a busy ride in the city or elsewhere, make sure you check your tire for debris, especially sharp objects. Use tweezers to remove anything you find.

       Using your electric bike in rainy or other harsher weather conditions can seem like a daunting task. But hopefully with these tips and knowledge on riding in the rain, you’ll be better equipped to ride safely and ensure your e-bike doesn’t take any damage. Electric bikes work in the rain just fine, but you want to avoid extremely heavy rain conditions that could submerge critical parts of your ebike such as the controller, motor or battery connector.