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The electrical components of an e-bike can make them far more vulnerable to water-caused problems than ordinary bikes, so some attention to this can be desirable, especially for the winter season.
One type of e-bike does not normally suffer from this problem though, and that’s the sealed crankcase unit type of pedelec system such as from Panasonic, Bosch, Kalkhoff Impulse and similar units. Since these also have sealed handlebar control units, no special attention to the electrics is required and an owner can move onto the bicycle parts advice further down.
Some vulnerability is not uncommon in hub motor e-bikes due to their greater number of components and interconnections, so with these it’s best to check all interconnection points and apply extra sealing wherever the existing precautions appear inadequate. Self-amalgamating rubber tape and PVC insulating tape can be useful in doing this. When dealing with controller cable entries, do not totally seal the housing since this can trap moisture inside to cause later problems, so any aperture on the underside should be left open to admit air.
Twistgrip throttles with integral switches can be a particular problem when the switch allows water ingress. One simple precaution which is often possible is to rotate the twistgrip on the handlebar so that the switch is underneath pointing away from rainfall. Another solution is to use the cut off fingertip of a household rubber or vinyl glove stretched over the switch body, since this still usually allows switch operation.
Hub motors with spindle cable entry usually have this sealed with silicone rubber, but it’s worth checking that this is adequate, adding more if necessary. The usual type of silicone rubber sealant sold by DIY stores is satisfactory for this purpose. It’s rare for batteries to be affected by water ingress, but where battery platform connectors are used, keeping them clean of corrosion is advisable. In cases where it’s suspected that a battery case join can let in water, a strip of PVC insulating tape over the seam will suffice, and this is obtainable in a variety of colours to match. For silver cases, silver duct/gaffer tape is available.
The precautions for the bicycle parts are mostly a matter of common sense. Chains should be cleansed of gritty dirt and lubricated regularly, the type of lubricant a matter of much dispute so just use what you prefer for your bike’s chain. Rims on rim brake bikes should be kept clean to minimise brake pad wear and noise, and the rims should also be degreased with a solvent when found necessary. When washing a bike avoid strong direct hose pipe application which can force water into components, preferring instead gentle water flows with brush, sponge or cloth assistance. Also be careful with any degreasing agent like Gunk or similar which can wash out essential grease. When clean and dry, oil all the usual points, bike hub and pedal open end points, and the upper end of inner cables to flow oil in, ensuring they remain running freely in their outers.
If your bike has to be stored or parked outside with a waterproof cover, make sure this doesn’t reach to, or close to the ground, since if parked covered while wet without adequate air circulation to dry it, rapid corrosion can result.
Our thanks to Flecc for this article.
