Winter prep for chain driven ebikes

[acm2000]

Recently got a direct Chain drive Woosh Krieger and I intend on riding this bad boy in most weathers, now ebikes are designed to be waterproof otherwise you could end up with nasty shocks to your knackers but I've read various bits about greasing certain parts to make sure they stay dry.

Is this really needed on these modern ebikes? Having a look round and these chain drive motors and their workings look very waterproofed. What about the controllers/batteries casing?

 

[Emo Rider]

I am going into my third winter on my chain driven ebike. Other than lubricating the chain and pumping the tyres every three to four weeks, I keep the bike as clean as possible removing buildup of mud and debris. Giving parts that are prone to rust a wipe with a lubricated cloth will keep that just like new look.

Ask your shop what they would recommend for a chain lube. Everyone has their preference and there are lots of threads that cover that aspect of bike maintenance.

Apart from avoiding washing the bike with a pressure washer, high pressure hose or throwing it in a canal, modern ebikes are built to handle commuting in wet winter weather. Stay warm and safe journey

 

[PatH]

You don't need to do much really, Finish line wet lubricant for the chain is ideal for the wetter weather, wd40 to spray into the brake levers etc. it won't interfere with the electrics and drives water out if the bike has been left in the rain.

A bike cover, I got one from Halfrauds.

Don't obsess about greasing and things like that, it's a bicycle. Sealed bearings etc. It should not squeak for years and if it does then a local bike shop will be able to sort it. My road bike survived three years before a bottom bracket noise, the local bike shop replaced something (a cartridge?) I winced at the cost, £100, but that's three years of cycling.

Probably just up the maintenance a little bit in the winter, once a week is fine.

 

[acm2000]

I have muc-off chain lube for maintenance of the cranks and chain, I will mostly be doing road runs so mud shouldn't be an issue but is it worth getting muc-off clean and protect to spray parts of the bike with to repel water? Currently quite cheap in Aldi.

 

[trex]

Keep the bike in a dry place as much as you can.
The only weakness I know of is that the LCD may fog up with humidity, if this happens, dry it with a hair dryer or rice grains.

 

[Nealh]

Chain gets a lubing with Finish Line wet and the sus forks get a wipe over with oily rag, if I have to leave out in the rain then carrier bags are used to cover battery cradle ,LCD and throttle.

 

[Hugh]

Chain gets a lubing with Finish Line wet and the sus forks get a wipe over with oily rag, if I have to leave out in the rain then carrier bags are used to cover battery cradle ,LCD and throttle.[/QUOTE


And saddle

 

[PatH]

I've noticed some 'green' already appearing on the battery connectors, but really it's a case of common sense, it's only superficial and can be removed with a cloth, copper is famous for going green.

A toothbrush is good for non-destructive cleaning of electrical connectors.

I'm more worried about some of the wires, look a bit delicate and thin. But that's for the lights, the 'drive wires' are all hidden in the frame and seem well protected from the elements.

I am not concerned about the motor or bicycle parts, the motor is totally sealed, but I will see what happens this winter, hopefully nothing except happy cycling.

 

[acm2000]

Chain gets a lubing with Finish Line wet and the sus forks get a wipe over with oily rag, if I have to leave out in the rain then carrier bags are used to cover battery cradle ,LCD and throttle.

Thankfully I have an out building at work to store it and at home it's locked up in my shed. The way this 15Ah battery fits in on the Woosh seems like it would make it impossible for water to get in to the contacts.

 

[anotherkiwi]

If you have a common bottle battery it is a good idea to drill a couple of drain holes in the bottom of the holder otherwise water will accumulate there.

 

[trex]

The OP's got a 09 battery. The output connector is just above the drain holes but water can still get in through the USB socket and the charging socket. I'd put some Lithium teflon grease in and around all the sockets for good measure.

 

[acm2000]

The OP's got a 09 battery. The output connector is just above the drain holes but water can still get in through the USB socket and the charging socket. I'd put some Lithium teflon grease in and around all the sockets for good measure.

I don't know, the rubber plugs on those fit really tight, same worth the fuse plug too