What effect does the cold have on battery performance?
There are a few different ways that the cold affects your ebike battery.
It’s important to take care of your battery so it continues to work as optimally as possible. Always bring in your battery from the cold, whether you're at the office or overnight. The battery life will last longer if it’s not kept in below freezing temperatures for extended periods of time.
Don’t charge your battery the minute you bring it into a warm space. The battery can’t charge when it’s still very cold. It’s best to let it come to room temperature and then plug it in and charge it.
Your range will be affected in the winter and you’ll lose around 25% of the range you had in summer.
The ebike is getting dirty with slush, what should I do?
Though the ebike is rust resistant, slush and salt will eventually hurt the ebike and will start to degrade if your ebike is very dirty.
Take a cloth and use hot water to wipe down your ebike to wash away dirt or grime before it has a chance to settle in.
My lock has frozen, what steps should I take?
If one of the locks on your ebike has frozen and you can’t insert or turn the key the simplest fix may be to bring it inside somewhere warm like your home, a subway station etc to allow the frozen lock to warm up.
You may also consider carrying a small bottle of liquid ‘lock de-icer’, easily found at hardware and automotive stores. If those still don’t work you should notify Zygg or bring your ebike to Zygg for lock service as soon as possible.
Should your ebike be locked outside when and the frame lock freezes you should notify Zygg as soon as possible so we may assist in unlocking the ebike. Don’t risk leaving your batteries on the ebike or the ebike itself locked up outside overnight.
The days are getting shorter, will I burn out my lights?
As long as your battery is charged, your lights will stay on. If you notice that one of your lights isn’t working, reach out to us and we’ll repair or swap your ebike within 48 hours.
Can I ride in the snow?
Of course! You can ride your Zygg ebike in any weather. Like any weather that isn’t dry and warm we simply encourage you to ride more carefully, avoiding snow banks, and taking care of your ebike like wiping it down.
What are the best tires for winter?
All Zygg ebikes come standard with tires rated for ‘all-season’. We also offer studded tires as an option for $220. Contact us to book them as we usually sell out. Studded winter tires will offer enhanced grip in slippery conditions but care must still be taken in especially snowy or icy conditions. Studded tires can also negatively affect your normal battery range, so consider the cost/benefit to you and your style of riding when thinking about studded tires.
Is it healthy to bike in winter?
Exciting new scientific research suggests that cold weather training burns more body fat, strengthens your heart and lungs, and boosts your mood over winter. So have a blast and ride through winter!
What temperature is too cold for cycling?
This is a completely personal decision. Your ebike will be able to ride even in colder temperatures so if you’re comfortable riding, your ebike will accompany you. We live by the Scandinavian saying “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”.
Should I deflate my tires in colder weather?
You should always keep your tires at the recommended PSI. Fluctuations in temperature can cause your tires to feel softer sooner than milder times of the year. Here is the PSI for our ebike models:
Model R: 55 PSI
Model Qx/Q2/A: 60PSI