The electric bikes represent a great investment in daily commuting, leisurely sports, and sustainable transportations. There are however periods, usually during cold winters or the rainy part of the year when riding is not as practical or safe especially in parts with cold winters or really long rain seasons. At such times, it is impractical to store the bike outside since the parts of the bike may be damaged and the bike may poorly work when the weather changes. Even storing an electric bike without considering anything, in the garage or a shed, will cause damage or a short battery life with time.
Depending on whether you ride Cube Ebikes, Gazelle E bikes, or any of the currently popular brands, your bicycle requires particular attention that has to be addressed during the long storage period. Failure to do all these may shorten the life of the battery, cause rusting or corrosion and more maintenance requirements in the future. As long as you are careful to follow a few precautionary steps, your electric bike can stay in superb shape should the time come when you no longer have the freedom to ride it, and you will be able to take to the road with ease once the conditions permit you to do so once more.
Choosing A Proper Storage Location
The first thing to decide when you want to store your electric bike is the place. The optimal place to store the bike will be a dry, cool place that is not in direct sunlight or extreme temperature. Keeping the electronic parts and metal components in excess moisture or having fluctuating temperatures may be damaging. Both the frame and the battery are most often preserved in a controlled indoor environment like a basement, a climate-controlled garage, or a dedicated room to store a bike.
There are no options to keep the bike inside, a weatherproof bike cover can give some protection to the bike which is kept in a shed or a shelter outside. Ensure the cover is breathable to avoid moisture build up which may result in rust. Of course it is best to store the bike off the ground, a bike stand or mount on the wall would be best to put it on but as long as the bike itself is not down on the cold concrete floor or puddling rain water it will probably be fine.
Caring For The Battery During Storage
A lithium battery is one of the most valuable and sensitive components of your electric bike and hence it needs special care when it comes to storing it during off-season. To ensure the battery lasts long, most manufacturers (those of Cube Ebikes and Gazelle E bikes) advise that the battery be stored independently of the bike and partially charged. Leaving it at full or dead charge may cut down the length of its capacity and lifespan.
Normally it is good to leave the charge anywhere between 50-70 percent before storing the battery. Make sure to check it monthly or bimonthly during the off-season so as not to drain out a huge amount. Should the battery level fall below that we require, then charge it a bit to bring it back to that level which is ideal. The battery should be kept in a dry, temperature-stable place, preferably away in a well-insulated room that does not get so cold as to freeze.
Cleaning The Bike Before Storage
The best moment to clean your electric bike before storing is when you feel like doing so. The particles of dirt, mud and debris may hold moisture on the particularly metal component resulting in rust and corrosion. Clean the frame, wheels, drivetrain, and motor casing with a slightly wet cloth or a soft brush to take the grime off. There is no need to spray the water into electrical parts, especially by the battery connections and display screen.
After cleaning, wipe off all the water and grease the chain and exposed moving parts of the bike. This is meant to avoid corrosion and maintain those parts in good conditions when not using the bike. To increase the protection even further, some riders will spray a very thin even layer of bicycle specific protectant spray to help seal the metal surfaces against moisture.
Checking Tire Pressure And Positioning
When the bike is not in use and is stored, there is tendency of the tire pressure to deflate. The tires may have flat spots in case the bike stands in the same place too long due to low pressure. They should inflate the tires to the recommended tire pressure then store them and shake them a few times during the off-season. It will take this minor step to prevent cases of misshaped or damaged tires in the future.
Considering that, given an opportunity, the wheels ought to be turned slightly after every several weeks or even use a stand to raise the bike to avoid having the tires always supporting the weight. This aids in upkeep of tire form and keeps away additional strain on the wheels. Putting your bike in a balanced stand position which is held securely as well eliminates the chances of any accidents where a bike might tip over and damage parts.
Protecting Electronics And Accessories
The different accessories that are included with most electric bikes include digital displays, lighting systems, and more sophisticated gear control. They are to be switched off and guarded in the time of storage so that they would not be subject to electric problems or weariness. And where the items can be detachable in any way, then a removable accessory can be removed and stored safely packed in a cushioned box inside the house. This includes displays, GPS units, or removable light fixtures.
Watch out wires or plugs to be exposed out, especially in case of bike storing in a common or semi-open location. Put protective caps over cover connectors or wrap them up in cloth as a dust and moisture barrier. By keeping these parts clean and dry, you are keeping the likelihood of failing when you do resume the use of the bike to a bare minimum.
Getting The Bike Ready For Use Again
The off-season should be put in the past and you are ready to ride again; it is worth your time to have a look at the bike before the first trip. Fill the engine with a full charge, examine the tires pressure, test the brakes, lights and motor responsiveness. Any sections that seem to have lost responsiveness or feel stiff should be cleaned and greased or a simple tune up should be engaged by visiting a bike shop.
E-Bikes such as Cube Ebikes and Gazelle E bikes are manufactured to be sturdy, however, there is much responsibility on the part of the user to ensure that they can be maintained by storing them appropriately depending on the season. As long as you take deliberate storage measures, you will be preventing further expenses on repairing your asset. With adequate storage, your electric bike will last longer not only but you will also have a smooth revving time during change of seasons.
