Can I ride e-bikes in heavy rain?

Hi, the Fiido X I'm interested in has a rating of IP54, which can cope with splashing of water. I've read a review that said it can't be ridden in heavy rain. Is that true? Do other e-bikes have better waterproofing?

Hi, the Fiido X I'm interested in has a rating of IP54, which can cope with splashing of water. I've read a review that said it can't be ridden in heavy rain. Is that true? Do other e-bikes have better waterproofing?

There probably won't be a clear answer to this. When does rain go from 'water spray from any direction' to 'water jets...'?

 

Does this review say what failed? Or was it simply repeating advice from Fiido? If the latter, what do Fiido say?

 

I ride my Shimano e5000 midmotor equipped bike in whatever nature throws at me, but I do not blast through puddles and standing water, I slow down to a crawl if I can't see how deep something is, and having looked closely at the very few wires involved in the system, and opened up a spare battery case, I can see how much care Shimano have taken to keep water out.

 

You have the option for most aspects of the system to add waterproofness quite simply, although not always highly aesthetically, using covers and deflectors to control and direct water from above, below and in front. For most rain conditions I think you should be able to find a workable solution.

If I get caught in the rain (a rarity for a leisure cyclist) I wear a cape. This extends over the handle bars and so protects the display, throttle and brake switches. Battery is rack mount so partially covered and the motor is a hub, so pretty rain proof providing the cable exits the spindle downwards to form a drip loop.

IIRC, Fiido's general advice is similar to most: Don't use a pressure washer to clean the bike, and don't wade in water where the motor could be submerged... although the X does have that electronic keypad lock behind the seat-post which might be more susceptible to heavy rain / water ingress?

 

Didn't we have a member fairly recently who asked advice about smoke coming out of his battery... and only later did he confess he'd actually ridden the bike into and then fished his e-bike out of a canal. I'd avoid doing that if I were you!

I did email Fiido who only quoted its IP54 rating, without answering my question on can it be ridden in heavy rain. The user manual doesn't mention IP rating or riding in rain.

 

I'll ask again, see if I can get a better reply

I did email Fiido who only quoted its IP54 rating, without answering my question on can it be ridden in heavy rain. The user manual doesn't mention IP rating or riding in rain.

 

I'll ask again, see if I can get a better reply

 

Consumer law has made it impossible for sellers to give truly useful advice on this. It's why the old term "waterproof" is no longer used for fear of the legal consequences, replaced now by "Water resistant", which guarantees nothing.

.

Hi, I live in Scotland, if I worried about rain I would never leave the house. BBS02 owner, used in heavy rain for years

motor is a hub, so pretty rain proof providing the cable exits the spindle downwards to form a drip loop.

Thanks, I'll check for that when/if I get to test ride it

the X does have that electronic keypad lock behind the seat-post which might be more susceptible to heavy rain / water ingress?

There's a plastic cover but i doubt it's got a rubber seal. Would've preferred a lock with a key.

Would've preferred a lock with a key.

So would I, as other makers do on a regular seat-post clamp. I checked Fiido's website; they used to have a FAQ page which gave the "wet use" advice I mentioned above... but I see that page is now gone.

Does the Fiido X have mudguards? I sometimes find myself cycling in many hours of sustained heavy rain. I confess I was worried about rain killing off my BBS01B, but after covering all the connectors with 4:1 self-adhesive marine heatshrink plus self-amalgamating rubber tape, making a rain cover for the display using clear plastic and gaffa tape, covering the battery and mount with two waterproof rucksack covers (one is simply not waterproof enough for hours in the rain) and applying heat-resistant silicone on the motor seams... I no longer worry. After a submersion incident when a pond appeared on the road after a sudden thunderstorm, I've doubled the self-amalgamating tape, despite the complete submersion of the motor (water level was above both pedals ) not causing any damage.

Does the Fiido X have mudguards? I sometimes find myself cycling in many hours of sustained heavy rain. I confess I was worried about rain killing off my BBS01B, but after covering all the connectors with 4:1 self-adhesive marine heatshrink plus self-amalgamating rubber tape, making a rain cover for the display using clear plastic and gaffa tape, covering the battery and mount with two waterproof rucksack covers (one is simply not waterproof enough for hours in the rain) and applying heat-resistant silicone on the motor seams... I no longer worry. After a submersion incident when a pond appeared on the road after a sudden thunderstorm, I've doubled the self-amalgamating tape, despite the complete submersion of the motor (water level was above both pedals ) not causing any damage.

Wow, that's impressive. I had a similar incident where my BBS01B was totally submerged while running for about 5 secs or so while misjudging the depth a pool on a track after a downpour (in hindsight should of jumped off the bike and got knee deep in muddy water and pushed it out). I did remove the final drive cover when I got home, there was a little moisture in there, I think it got in through the crank spindle rubber seal, no surprise really. Anyway, cleaned it out, replaced the final drive grease (Aeroshell 22) and a year has passed since (and a couple of thousand miles) with no issue

Wow, that's impressive. I had a similar incident where my BBS01B was totally submerged while running for about 5 secs or so while misjudging the depth a pool on a track after a downpour (in hindsight should of jumped off the bike and got knee deep in muddy water and pushed it out). I did remove the final drive cover when I got home, there was a little moisture in there, I think it got in through the crank spindle rubber seal, no surprise really. Anyway, cleaned it out, replaced the final drive grease (Aeroshell 22) and a year has passed since (and a couple of thousand miles) with no issue

 

That shock pool-like puddle took me completely by surprise - I was doing about 10mph around a bend and suddenly I was in it.... I had a bit of momentum after the rapid slowing after splashing in, and knowing that route, had already geared down in preparation for the long queue at the lights beyond the bend... so standing on the pedals (first time I'd done that on my Dahon, bit awkward on a folding bike)(there were cars behind me), managed to power through about 13 seconds of complete motor submersion. The bike created a bow wave. I was close to home, so when I got back noticed water dripping out from somewhere near the bottom of the motor. Despite it all still working, I resolved to add further waterproofing to the max. It would have taken longer to wade the bike out. Glad this shocking pool didn't give me an electric shock!

Edited November 15, 20223 yr by guerney

 

Did you know that Specialized Ebike batteries have an IP rating of IP67.

Edited November 15, 20223 yr by AndyBike

My BBS01B converted bike's connectors, covered with self-adhesive 4:1 marine heat shrink plus self-amalgamating rubber tape, now have a IP rating of IP68+++

 

And yet I have, in the past, used mains connection boxes for outside wiring, rated at IP56. Going back to them some years later for fault finding purposes have found them full of a whole array of insects and their detritus. Effectively the box was full of damp soil - hence the problem.

The contributions in this thread do go to show that with some basic tools and careful observation of potential weakspots, the water resistant integrity of an installation can be improved.

• On my TSDZ2 mid-mount I have added Red Rubber Grease to the existing motor casing 'O' seal and additional sealant around the cable egress points.
  
• I have a bottle battery and have taped around the joins in the casing where the top and botom assemblies attach to the main body plus in the base of the battery holder I have drilled some holes to let any water out that would otherwise accumulate and possibley short out the connection terminals.
  
• What I have yet to do is figure out how to 'waterproof' the battery on/off switch which is just a cheap rocker switch. At the moment I just stick tape over it if I suspect I might be out in the rain.
  
• Cable connections - the Speedo connector has a two plugs: one for the speedo (which is used for the OSF/dongle side of life) and one for lighting control (which I don't use), thus I've 'blobbed' silicon sealant over the exposed end (there was a post on this forum where a rider experienced problems from water immersion on this connection). Other connectors (display and battery/motor) are taped and concealed in a long piece of black plastic conduit that sits neatly between the rear mudguard and seat tube.
  
• The handlebar display is the simple VLCD6 whose seals have had RRG applied too but annoyingly the display does occasionally steam up even after repeated attempts to dry the insides out with a heat gun.
  
• So there's always room for improvements - more investigation needed.
  

• What I have yet to do is figure out how to 'waterproof' the battery on/off switch which is just a cheap rocker switch. At the moment I just stick tape over it if I suspect I might be out in the rain.
  

 

See This Link for ways you may be able to do it if it stands proud of the battery.

.

Edited November 15, 20223 yr by flecc

What I have yet to do is figure out how to 'waterproof' the battery on/off switch which is just a cheap rocker switch. At the moment I just stick tape over it if I suspect I might be out in the rain.

 

My battery also has a round rocker switch - before opting to use two waterproof rucksack covers to protect both battery and mount, I found this silicone cover for rocker switches, which might be easy to fit? (If your rocker switch isn't glued in. If they've used hot glue, maybe soften with a hot air gun?)

 

 

https://www.switchelectronics.co.uk/round-rocker-switch-silicone-cover

 

Also available on ebay (with purchase of a £2.30 rocker switch)

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261349269695

Edited November 15, 20223 yr by guerney

[mention=25387]Bikes4two[/mention] - I was going to fit one of those silicone covers, but the rocker switch on my battery was secured by rather a lot of hot glue. At the time, I didn't have a hot air gun... plus it looked like a messy job which could have required soldering in a new rocker switch, and at the time I had no soldering skills. Simply covering the battery was a easy, fast and effective solution - at a quick glance (which is all observers will have time for) also obscures the fact that I'm riding a electric bike, which is better when riding through certain neighbourhoods. The top waterproof cover on my rear rack mounted battery is hi-viz.

Edited November 15, 20223 yr by guerney

Wow, that's impressive. I had a similar incident where my BBS01B was totally submerged while running for about 5 secs or so while misjudging the depth a pool on a track after a downpour (in hindsight should of jumped off the bike and got knee deep in muddy water and pushed it out). I did remove the final drive cover when I got home, there was a little moisture in there, I think it got in through the crank spindle rubber seal, no surprise really. Anyway, cleaned it out, replaced the final drive grease (Aeroshell 22) and a year has passed since (and a couple of thousand miles) with no issue

 

36v probably isn't enough to leave us floating belly up, like fish zapped by electric eel.

[mention=16284]guern[/mention] - those 20mm round rocker switches and covers will be ideal as I'm sure the OEM ones are that size - thank you very much for the link

 

I've changed the switch out for a new one before (due to water ingress) with the aid of a heat gun, soldering iron and needle files.

I've changed the switch out for a new one before (due to water ingress) with the aid of a heat gun, soldering iron and needle files.

 

With the economies of scale available to manufacturers, fitting waterproof silicone covers over rocker switches in the first place would cost them very little.

 

I may do the same someday, but I'm reluctant to fix anything which isn't broken. Quite happy with my rucksack covers. I'm more likely to put the battery inside a waterproof motorbike helmet box on the rear rack - a narrow one (offset to one side), which wouldn't impede my bike folding compactly.

Edited November 16, 20223 yr by guerney

For a tenner this waterproof cover will cover the switch and the rest of the battery

 

Waterproof Ebike Battery Cover, Dustproof, Wear Resistant Bike Frame Bag, Battery Bag for Electric Bike https://amzn.eu/d/1iAVKr8

For a waterproof sw those silicon type surrounds don't actually waterproof the switch as the rocker it self isn't wp and moisture can ingress around the edges of the rocker it self. One needs a fuuly inclosed rocker or a type which is just a silcone press button.

 

Secondly not all cases are wp, years ago I remember Cwah posting about his 48v dolphin battery left on his bike overnight. The following morning his bike wouldn't work, when he opened the case it was a wash with rain water.

 

Most though are splash proof and will resist water ingress when riding as the riders legs and torso will help to protect from most water damage, as above with Cwah's battery it is leaving out in standing rain that causes most issues.

 

Also rear rack batteries are also more likely to be an issue , this was a case when a user slagged off wisper bikes when his bike failed and bemoaned them all over forums. In the end he got little sympathy as he also lef this bike out in standing rains for several hours with out a thought of protecting the battery.

 

Rather then think of just the sw a complete cover as egroover has linked to or some other type of covering is best if someone is concerned either when riding or leaving a bike in standing rain. With the latter then a motorcycle bike cover for the whole bike may be best however damp can be an issue if used as a permanent way of storage.