Tips to Riding your Electric Bike in the Snow

If your Electric Bike has fat tires, you could put them to the test this winter, riding them through a white, snowy landscape. However, riding in wintery conditions like snow is unlike any other type of cycling you can do on an E-bike. Here are some tips if you want to brave the snow.

The type of E-bike matters

The type of e-bike you use makes a huge difference when you’re riding in the snow. Both hub motors and mid-drive motors can be used for snow riding in winter but mid-drive motors do provide more torque. Dropping into low gear can result in extra torque from a mid-drive. However, a hub motor can sometimes get bogged down in thick, wet snow such as sleet.

Fat tires are best

Fat tires are the best for snowy conditions and are of course better than typical mountain bike tires. Fat tires tend to ride on top of the snow rather than knifing into the snow. Furthermore, tire pressure has a big impact on how the fat tires handle snowy conditions. A popular 26″x4″, 26″x4.8″ or 27.5″x4″ fat tire works amazingly because these can be run at very low pressures.

It’s also important to remember that many winter tires come with studs so when conditions get icy, they can be installed.

Using your brakes in the snow

Riders should always take into account that stopping distances are longer in the winter, and mechanical brakes are even more susceptible to the effects of the bad weather. Moisture from the snow can enter the brake housings and due to the extreme temperatures, it can freeze, reducing the braking power.

We recommend squirting a few drops of deicer every few weeks into the housings of the mechanical brakes. Or if you know you’ll be cycling in snowy conditions regularly, opt for an eclectic bike that has hydraulic brakes.

Maintaining your E-bike in Winter

After riding during winter, drying the bike off as much as possible is super important. Having water, especially salty water from road salt, sitting on the bike and causing corrosion isn’t good for the bike’s health. Furthermore, remove the battery from the bike and store it indoors in a dry place. Batteries shouldn’t be charged up in below-freezing temperatures. It is best to start a cold ride with a battery at room temperature.

Take it slow, to begin with

If it's the first time you’re taking your bike out in the snow, then try to take it slow! Start with short rides and stick to slower speeds so you can get used to what it feels like to ride in these conditions. Be safe and stay warm!

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