The DO's and DON'ts of Spring E-biking
The DO's and DON'ts of Spring E-biking
There is no better feeling than a warm sunny day as winter in the Northern Hemisphere comes to a soft close. And there is no better way to enjoy the spring season than taking your e-bike for a ride.
It can be exciting to take your e-bike out of storage for the first time and to hit the pavement with your fat tires right away, but there are some key tips and tricks to riding so early in the new season. Today we are going to give you the DOs and DON'Ts of spring e-biking.
DO Keep Your E-bike Dry
E-bikes, just like traditional bikes, do not like to be left outside in the rain. Not only can rain cause your frame and metal bike parts to rust, but it can damage the electrical components of your battery and motor as well.
Do everything you can to store your e-bike in a cool, dry location when not in use. If you need to lock it up under a parking garage or apartment awning, ensure no one steals it by using a foldable chain lock. Whatever you do, don’t leave your bike outside exposed to the elements. If you notice that rain is in the forecast for a few days in a row, consider bringing your bike inside to a garage, basement, or even into your apartment or home!
DO Keep Your E-bike Clean
In addition to keeping your e-bike dry, you’ll want to keep it clean as well! Spring riding is full of mud, dirt, and sometimes snow. Whenever you finish a ride, use a bicycle cleaner with a soft sponge to remove any caked-on mud or dirt from the frame, seat, or components. Then, dry the bike with a clean and soft towel. One trick many e-bikers claim works is to use their old bath towels as e-bike towels instead of throwing them away. By cutting a bath towel in half, you can always have a clean towel around to keep your e-bike nice and clean.
DO Perform Annual Maintenance
Many riders store their e-bikes over the winter months and the bikes may accumulate dust or debris over this time. The metal components like gears and chains begin to dry out and tires lose air pressure naturally over time. For this reason, we recommend thorough annual maintenance before riding your bike for the first time in spring. We have an entire guide dedicated specifically to the annual maintenance you should perform to prepare your e-bike for riding in the springtime.
DON’T Ride Your E-Bike Through Deep Water
As snow melts and rain begins to fall more frequently, large puddles of water will pool around sewers, curbs, and ditches. It can be tempting to take a shortcut through some water, but it is not advised. Don’t ride your e-bike through deep water because it can damage the electrical components of the battery and motor. While the e-bike is designed to be weather-resistant, it is not waterproof!
DON’T Run Out of Battery Charge
Everyone knows the weather in March, April, and May can be finicky at best. It may look sunny one minute, and stormy the next. You do not want to be caught unawares in a spring thunderstorm with no battery power to get you home. Keep your battery charged when it gets low. Thanks to Roll Road’s long-range battery technology, running out of juice is a rare occurrence.
DON’T Forget to Dress in Layers while E-biking
Our final spring e-biking tip is don’t forget to dress in layers while biking. The day may be cool as the sun rises, but it can heat up on your ride, especially if you are taking a long trip. Having a single heavy jacket may cause heat exhaustion. Instead, dress in multiple lighter layers that can be removed one at a time as the weather warms up. Use a waterproof outer jacket as the top layer. You can also consider a pair of waterproof cycling gloves with non-slip technology.
With these e-biking tips, you’ll be ready to go for the new riding season like a pro!
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