Imagine you’re riding your electric bike and you catch on rain or a storm all of a sudden! Or, if it’s raining outside and you have only the electric bike to go outside. As the bike is electric, it’s likely that you’ll worry about the machine if it will damage in the rain. You may have another dilemma if they should get a new electric bike, especially if you’re living in a rainy region.
The solution is, you can go out with your bike in the rain without getting it damaged. However, if you’re riding an affordable electric bike and want a great life span, you should use it with care. After reading this article, you’ll be able to use your electric bike in the rain and keep it safe in every aspect.
6 Tips for Riding an Electric Bike in the Rain
The idea of getting a bike is to ride your bike, no matter where, when, even though it’s electric. Opt-out for an affordable electric bike and follow these tips and tricks for riding it in the rain without getting damaged:
1. Use fenders for your bike
Electric bikes are usually water-resistant, and they can perform just right in any weather condition. However, that doesn’t mean that you should take it into the rain and spray water and mud. Using fenders will help you stay safe from the mud and water while running the bike as it sprays mud with the wheels.
The manufacturer may place the batter in the back or under the seat, attached to the rail. When you’re riding your bike in the rain, the wheels will spray mud and rain to your body, the battery, and other components. You have to avoid that from happening and avoid the dust and debris from the road by using fenders on the wheels.
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2. Use indicating lights
If you’re riding on a busy road with many other vehicles, it may get pretty dangerous to ride in the rain. The other riders in the cars are also dealing with the problem of the rain to keep their vision clear on the road. The rain can block a straight vision on the road if it’s raining heavily.
While facing the vision blockage challenge, the car behind you may not notice you from a long distance. If it happens, you can get into deep trouble, where a tail light could help you out! Especially if you’re riding at night, it can become even more complicated because of the rain for the rider behind or in front of you.
Make sure you have a white tail light on your front and back that the riders can see from 500-600 feet away and avoid bumping with you.
3. Use a lower tire pressure
Ask any experienced cyclist about riding in the rain, and they will tell you to lower the tire pressure at first. The air pressure on the tire should match the condition of the road you’re riding on. The traction of the tires has a great effect from the air pressure inside the tire.
The best way to match up a wet road is to lower the pressure by 10 to 15 PSI to experience the best traction. When you have an optimal pressure on the tire, the tire will be more stable on the road and won’t get slippery. The less pressure you have on the tire, the more contact you will have to the road to the ground.
4. Weatherproof yourself
The worst thing about riding in the rain isn’t getting your electric bike wet, it’s about getting yourself wet! It can get pretty bad while riding in the rain, you’ll have rain all over your face, and the water drops will get into your eyes. You must have good protection for your eyes; use weatherproof glasses to cut through the rain without getting your eyes hurt. It also helps you keep your eyes open and keep safe from the traffic around you if you’re riding on a busy road.
Put on a good rainproof hat; a cycling helmet could be enough as well. Put on gloves for a waterproof, non-slippery grip on the handlebars. Rain pants with a waterproof coat and shoes will make the ride more comfortable.
5. Ride the bike slower
Riding the bike while it’s raining can be invigorating as the rain can have a positive impact on you. Perhaps, you may want to paddle the bike more to keep your body warmer as well! But, expert cyclists’ advice is to take it slow while it’s raining and you’re riding. There are legit reasons behind that; although it may seem harmless to go fast, it can also be dangerous. The road can become more slippery, and you may get into an accident when it becomes hard to control the speed. Furthermore, the visibility goes down in the rain; if you’re riding on a busy road, it may become dangerous to ride safely.
6. Brake earlier than regular
Hitting the brake of the bike is also related to riding the electric bike slower in the rain because the road gets slippery. The primary purpose of equipping the bike with a motor is to give you extra power and speed in the ride. With an electric bike, you must hit the brake earlier than usual and let the motor rest gradually.
It becomes dangerous when you’re riding an electric bike in the rain because of the same reason; speed.
When you use a full-pedal bike, it’s easier to hit the brake as you’re hitting the brake and stopping the legs. Ensure your bike has a disk brake system rather than the traditional rim brake system for better control.
7. Cleaning the bike after the ride in the rain
While an electric bike is perfectly fine to ride in the rain, you must not overlook its weaknesses. The biggest weakness of any mechanical parts or the motor is long exposure to a humid environment or water. After you complete your ride on an electric bike in the rain, clean it properly to avoid any damage to the bike.
An electric bike doesn’t come in cheap and you must give it the proper care to maintain its integrity. A few minutes of cleaning the bike may give you a better range and help you maintain a good life span of the bike.
Clean the dirt and mud off the bike’s narrow places and wash it with soapy water if possible. After cleaning the bike, store it in a dry place where the motor or the battery won’t expose to humidity and take off the battery for better storage.
Final words
Using an electric bike can be a great way for a better maneuver through heavy traffic with speed and freedom. If you’re starting to ride in the rain, it can be harder to stroke the first pedal than riding the bike in motion. While an electric bike is completely fine in the rain, you must keep it in good shape with proper use.
It’s important for your safety to keep yourself visible on the road, weatherproofing your tools, and the things you’re carrying and beware about the slippery road. Don’t lean in the corners and look for the slippery spots to avoid while riding. If you’re riding an affordable electric bike and expect a long life, clean the bike and don’t let the parts get on rust.
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