As winter rolls in with its snowy landscapes and chilly breezes, it's time to gear up (literally!) and make sure your trusty e-bike is ready to conquer the frosty adventures ahead. In this friendly guide, we'll dive into some essential tips on maintaining your electric bike during the winter months. With a little care, your e-bike can be your winter wonderland companion, whether you're commuting or exploring the snowy trails.
Cleanliness is Next to Bike-liness
Before we get into the technical stuff, let's start with the basics: cleanliness. Winter can be a messy season, and your e-bike is no exception. Road salt, slush, and mud can quickly turn your two-wheeled friend into a grime machine. Regularly clean your bike to prevent corrosion. Use a gentle degreaser, a soft brush, and warm, soapy water. Be extra cautious with the electrical components – avoid direct water contact.
2. Tire Care
Tire maintenance is vital during winter. You can swap out the regular tires for winter tires with deep treads that provide better grip on slippery surfaces. Zygg offers a good quality studded tire which you can purchase from us for $220 and we’ll install them for you. Also make sure your tires are well inflated; cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop.
Here is the PSI for our ebike models:
Model R: 55PSI
Model Qx/Q2/A: 60PSI
If you have not been in for service for a while, make sure your tires still have good tread left. If the centreline of the tire is looking bald you should come in for new tires to enhance grip in slippery conditions.
Same for pedals. Worn out or damaged pedals will have less traction for your shoes or boots to grip.
3. Battery Love
Your e-bike's battery deserves some extra TLC in the cold. Store it indoors when not in use to prevent it from becoming too cold. Charging your battery at room temperature is also a good practice, as cold batteries tend to hold less charge. Remember that batteries can drain faster in chilly weather, we offer a second battery for some of our ebike models. Reach out to see if any are available.
4. Lubricate Your Chain
Winter conditions can strip your bike of its lubrication more quickly. Keep an eye on your chain. If it’s becoming noisy or squeaky it could use some chain oil. We prefer you bring the bike to us for oiling but any good, light duty, bicycle specific chain oil can work. Just ensure you wipe off the excess to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating. If your chain becomes very red with rust it may need replacing. Regular maintenance will keep your chain from rusting and ensure your rides stay smooth.
5. Check Electrical Connections
Electronics on the bikes and metal parts could wear out prematurely from contact with salty snow melt. Inspect and clean your connectors, ensuring they're free of moisture and corrosion. A little dielectric grease can help protect these crucial connections.
The last two are a bit more involved so if you’d prefer that Zygg do them, you can always bring in your ebike for maintenance or we can repair or swap it at your home.
6. Lights on
With days becoming much shorter in winter it is critical to ensure front and rear lights are working. On a Zygg your lights are integrated and linked to your battery so as long as you have battery left your lights will turn on. If one or both are not working properly, contact us for a repair as soon as possible.
Winter may bring chilly weather, but it shouldn't freeze your e-bike adventures. With these maintenance tips, you can keep your electric bike in top shape during the winter months. Remember to ride safely and enjoy the unique beauty of wintertime cycling. So, bundle up, hop on your e-bike, and let the snowy adventures begin! Winter can be an incredible time to explore, and your e-bike is your trusty steed through it all. Happy riding!