Winter is here in NH, as ebike owners how we store our bikes for an extended period of time is important. Preparing your ebike for winter storage is essential to ensure it will be ready and raring to go when the snow melts. It’s important that you take a few steps when it comes to putting away your bike for winter – from wiping down your bike and inspecting it, basic winter maintenance, and understanding if you need charge or discharge your battery. Read on as we discuss these bike tips in detail; get set so you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches later this season by properly prepping now.
Table of Contents:
- Wipe-Down your eBike and Inspect It
- Winter ebike storage Check List
- Do I need to Charge or should I Discharging my ebike?
- Winter Storage Location
- Winter Maintenance Tips
- FAQs in Relation to How to Store Ebike Battery for Winter
- Conclusion
Wipe-Down your eBike and Inspect It
Wiping down the frame with a rag and a bit of Simple Green is an easy way to start. This will help keep dirt, dust, and from building up on the bike frame.
When inspecting your ebike, check all moving parts for signs of wear and tear such as tire nicks or fraying cables. Inspect the brakes, gears, tires, pedals, break pads, rear lights, front lights, and battery pack for any damage that may need repair. If you notice any issues with these components be sure to get them fixed at your local bike shop or DIY them over the winter.
Checking the tire pressure since low tire pressure can lead to poor performance and even accidents if not addressed (I broke my collar bone this way). Make sure both tires are inflated properly before storing for the season as a heavier eBike can pinch the sidewall leading to issues.
Remove water bottles, racks, bags and any accessories that you don’t want getting dusty over the winter. I place them in garbage bag that I hang from the rack I store my bike on for the winter.
Finally, make sure all nuts, bolts, and quick releases are tight but not too tight! It’s a nightmare to get that tire changed on the trail when it has been overtightened.
It’s important to make sure your ebike is properly cleaned and inspected before storing it for the winter. Now that you’ve done that, let’s take a look at what items you should check off in your winter storage checklist.
Winter ebike storage Check List:
Charge Battery to manufacturers Spec:
Remove your battery and charge it as recommended by your bike manufacture. We ride an Aventon ebike and they recommend your battery should be stored at a 75%-80% charge level. For other brands its under 50% charge. It’s also critical to note that you should never charge the battery when its temperature is below freezing (32ºF or 0ºC). Don’t let your battery fall victim to the cold – be sure to store it safely and securely in a place where temperatures won’t dip too low!
Lubricate Chain, Seat Post, & Other Moving Parts:
Lubricating moving parts such as chains and derailleurs can help prevent corrosion while in storage. Use an appropriate lubricant specifically designed for bicycle components – this will help keep them running smoothly once they’re back in action.
Store Indoors if Possible:
Storing indoors is ideal because temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year – no need to worry about extreme cold damaging your bike. If indoor storage isn’t possible then make sure you find somewhere dry where moisture won’t build up over time; otherwise rust could form on metal components which would require more maintenance come springtime.
Keep Critters at Bay:
It sounds crazy but our NH mice seem to love our ebike cables. Rodents may be small but they’re incredibly destructive! An increasing amount of these furry critters are chowing down on our ebikes, their sharp teeth capable of causing massive damage. The reason behind this? Rodent biology requires them to constantly chew in order for their teeth not to overgrow – resulting in a potential menace for bike owners. We use peppermint spray but there are many great options for keeping mice away for the winter.
Cover Up Your Bike:
Covering up your bike with an appropriate cover can protect against dust accumulation and moisture. Additionally, if you can only store the bike outside a cover can provide insulation from extreme temperatures which could cause condensation buildup inside of the frame itself leading to further issues down the line.
In Depth: Do I need to Charge or should I Discharging my ebike?
It’s important to follow your ebike battery instructions before storing it for winter. Properly charging and discharging your battery can help extend its life and ensure that you get the most out of it when spring rolls around. In general this is between 50%-80% for most ebikes but follow your manufactures guidelines exactly as its cheaper than a new battery.
It’s easy to forget that over time, even the most powerful Lithium-Ion batteries experience a gradual decrease in energy storage – known as self-discharge. Thankfully, this rate of loss is relatively low (1% per month) but can still cause considerable damage if left ignored for the WINTER! When your device informs you it has reached “empty” this means it’s at its minimum safe level and needs charging soon; don’t delay as battery damage occurs after this point.
Charging Your Battery if Low: Under 50%
When charging your ebike battery, make sure to use a charger specifically designed for lithium-ion batteries. This will ensure that the correct voltage is applied and no damage is done to the cells in the process. It’s also important to not overcharge your battery as this can lead to reduced performance or even permanent damage. Most chargers have an indicator light that will turn green once the battery has been fully charged, so keep an eye on this while charging. If you are storing it like we do for the winter (3-4 months) you want it stored above a 50% charge for most ebikes. Your bike maybe different so please follow your manufactures instructions.
Discharging Your Battery if @100%
Before storing your ebike for winter, it’s important to properly discharge its battery first. This helps prevent cell damage due to deep cycling during storage which could reduce its overall lifespan significantly if left unchecked. To do this, simply ride until you reach a low level of charge (around 50%-70%) then store away in a cool dry place with moderate temperatures. Make sure not to let it drop below 10% though as this could cause irreparable harm.
Storing Your Battery
Store away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures as these can both degrade performance over time if exposed too often or too long respectively. Additionally, make sure there are no metal objects near by such as coins or keys which could short circuit the cells inside causing them serious harm if left unchecked.
Ideal Winter Storage Location
When it comes to storing your ebike during the winter months, space is always at a premium. I like getting my bike off the ground and onto a rack for the winter. Your ideal location for storage will differ but its somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. This could be in an indoor space such as a garage or basement, or outside under a covered area like a porch or shed. I like my tires off the cold concrete so think about the surfaces it will rest on for the long winter months.
It’s important to make sure that wherever you store your bike is free of moisture and humidity which can cause corrosion on the battery and other components over time. If possible, try to avoid storing your bike in areas with high levels of dust like a wood shop or open porch. Additionally, if you plan on keeping your bike outdoors for any length of time during the winter season, be sure to cover it with a cover that breathes so you don’t trap moisture in the frame.
When not in use during colder weather conditions, always remember to remove the battery from its mount before storing it away – this will help keep it at optimal performance when you come back around again next spring. It’s also recommended that you charge up your battery to the recommended level (50%-80%) before putting it into storage; this will help ensure that all cells remain balanced throughout its downtime period and prevent any unnecessary wear-and-tear due to lack of use over extended periods of time.
Finally, never store batteries near flammable materials such as gasoline cans, as doing so could potentially create hazardous situations. With these simple tips in mind, finding an appropriate place for winter storage should be easy enough.
How do I store my e-bike battery over the winter?
Storing your e-bike battery over the winter is an important part of maintaining its longevity. To do this, it’s best to keep the battery at a temperature between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can’t maintain this range, make sure to store it in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. Additionally, charge your battery to your manufactures recommendation (30% – 80%) before storing and check on it every few months to ensure that the charge hasn’t dropped too low. As a zero charge is not good for battery life.Taking these steps will help ensure that your e-bike battery stays ready to ride.
How do I preserve my e-bike battery?
Preserving your e-bike battery is essential for its longevity and performance. To do this, make sure to charge it regularly and avoid overcharging. Additionally, store the battery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight when not in use. When riding, try to keep the speed consistent as sudden accelerations can drain the battery quickly. Lastly, avoid extreme temperatures; both hot and cold weather can reduce the life of your battery significantly. With these tips you’ll be able to enjoy your e-bike for years to come.
Should I store my eBike battery fully charged?
Yes, it is recommended to store your eBike battery fully charged. This will help ensure that the battery maintains its capacity and performance over time. Storing a partially discharged battery can cause damage due to sulfation, which reduces the overall life of the battery. Additionally, storing an eBike with a full charge helps prevent any unexpected surprises when you’re ready to ride again.
Should I drain⚡ my eBike battery?
Yes, you should drain your eBike battery. This helps to ensure that the battery is properly calibrated and will last longer. It also prevents any potential damage from overcharging or discharging the battery too quickly. To do this, simply ride your bike until it stops running on its own and then turn off the power switch before charging it again. Doing this regularly can help extend the life of your eBike’s battery and keep it in good condition for years to come.
Conclusion 🚵♂️
Storing your ebike battery for winter is a great way to ensure that it will be ready to go when the warmer weather returns. Taking the time to properly clean and inspect your bike, create a checklist of items you need to do before storage, determine if charging or discharging is necessary, find an appropriate location for storage, and follow maintenance tips can help keep your ebike in top condition during its winter hibernation. By following these steps and taking care of your ebike battery for winter storage, you’ll be able to enjoy riding again as soon as the snow melts.
So one recommendation is charge your battery for storage and another is discharge your battery for storage. Which is it???
Hi James,
Sorry for the confusion you don’t want to store it at 100% charge but not at 20% so it goes dead. What ebike do you have? Most ebikes are 50%-80% charge so for most people a slight discharge is needed after toping up the batter.
Alec