Battery weather tight

[cyclenut1952]

Hi
I am looking to purchase an ebike.
The type that have the battery down behind the seat post, are the bottom connections totally sealed? or can water collect there and cause problems?
Thanks

 

[KirstinS]

Hi
I am looking to purchase an ebike.
The type that have the battery down behind the seat post, are the bottom connections totally sealed? or can water collect there and cause problems?
Thanks

General rule of thumb is that you can cycle an ebike in the rain no worries.

But they don't like being left standing in rain much

More common than batteries with water ingress are lcd panels. At least that's how it seems to me from this forums users anyway

 

[cyclenut1952]

Thank you Kristine , new to ebikes
Appreciated.

 

[Nealh]

Nothing is totally sealed with external batteries, as K has said they are ok for riding in the rain. Issues appear when left in standing rain for hours on end or the user decides to use a hose pipe or pressure washer. If bothered you can add a small dob of grease to the contacts.
For the display you can cover it with a bag for instance if you use the bike for shopping when it rains and have to leave it a while.

 

[cyclenut1952]

Thank you for the advise
Complete novice

 

[cyclenut1952]

I’m the novice not you

 

[mike killay]

I have used evostick to seal where any cable goes into a device.
For the LCD display I rubbed grease into the joint between the clear plastic face and the casing. Also, I set mine slightly loose on the handlebar, so in bad weather I can turn it upside down.

 

[cyclenut1952]

Thanks Mike, grateful newbie.

 

[Nealh]

Although unfashionable a bike cape for riding or a bike cover for when it rains and left locked outside.

 

[cyclenut1952]

thanks

 

[KirstinS]

I have used evostick to seal where any cable goes into a device.
For the LCD display I rubbed grease into the joint between the clear plastic face and the casing. Also, I set mine slightly loose on the handlebar, so in bad weather I can turn it upside down.

I also use sugru for various jobs incuding this

And, as I used to travel a lot for work in UK, a large stash of shower caps from hotels. I always keep one in my bag for really horrendous weather to stick over the the LCD

It was a tip from an ex member!

 

[trevor brooker]

Although unfashionable a bike cape for riding

Has anyone ridden with a cape, when I tried decades ago it was caught by the wind & billowed around

 

[KirstinS]

Has anyone ridden with a cape, when I tried decades ago it was caught by the wind & billowed around

Yes I have, I tend to either ride fast as a commuter or off road mtb. It doesn't really suit either tbh

However for what you might term utility cycling they are absolutely great

Decathlon sell them BTW, or used to a few months bsck

Edit. Still do

500 City Cycling Rain Poncho

500 City Cycling Rain Poncho null Riding occasionally in the rain when cycling at a moderate pace. Stay protected from head to knees once the belt is fastened and the handlebar fittings are on.

www.decathlon.co.uk

 

[vfr400]

When I commuted, I used to use a cape. Yes, you get blown around a bit when it's windy, but it's manageable and at least you and your bike stay dry and comfortable. Before the cape, I tried just about every other type of waterproof. Considering everything, I think the cape is the best solution, and it protects your bike too. Plus, you can use it as a bike cover if you have to park in the rain.

 

[cyclenut1952]

All really great ideas thanks

 

[sjpt]

When I commuted (only 5 miles, and 250 ft climb each way, non ebike, 1/2 off-road in summer, all on road in winter) I used regular waterproof top and trousers. My contribution to lack of fashion was welly boots, surprisingly comfy to ride in and no risk of water being dumped in from trouser bottoms.

I never tried a cape, though, so can't compare.

 

[cyclenut1952]

I do remember police officers on cycles wearing capes, so they must be good.

 

[mike killay]

I do remember police officers on cycles wearing capes, so they must be good.

The difference was though that the Police cape was a heavy woollen affair that did not blow around. As a teenager I had one of the traditional oil cloth capes, less likely to blow about, but after a year or two, it turned into a sticky glutinous mass!

 

[cyclenut1952]

Yuk

 

[Nosweat]

Do they still make oilskin capes? Mine is around 30 years old and needing replacement fairly soon. It weighs a ton (well, perhaps a couple of kilograms) but that's what makes it so good - it doesn't flap all over the place in the wind like the flimsy polythene capes you see nowadays that make people say capes are a waste of time. I tried one and threw it away - the old fashioned ones are brilliant.