CYCLING IN BAD WEATHER: PREPARE YOURSELF AND YOUR BIKE FOR THE WET AND COLD MONTHS

One of the most popular sayings from grandma's time is probably the following: There is no bad weather, there are only bad clothes. A timeless saying that still holds true today. Needless to say, on cold or rainy days, fewer cyclists are out on the road compared to when the sun is shining.
However, there are some ways how you can arm yourself and your e-bike against unpleasant weather. There are also some important points to consider when storing your bike and battery over the winter.

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

A quick check of the weather report in the morning can help you avoid unpleasant surprises later in the day. The tried-and-true "onion principle," where you layer your clothing, is especially useful on cold days. The air trapped between layers provides insulation, and you can easily remove a layer as the weather warms up.
It is important to always pay attention to breathable clothing - even if the focus is on water-repellent and wind blocking functions. Covers for helmets, backpacks and shoes are helpful accessories that can be quickly stowed away in your pocket. For the Pendix eDrive there are also neoprene protective sleeves that protect against the weather. A Battery Cover protects the battery from cold and dirt and also has a positive influence on the range. The Motor Cover protects against moisture and damage during transport and travel. When parking your bike and removing the battery, you can protect the contacts with a cover from Pendix. This helps prevent the hassle of dry wiping and contact-related startup issues.

SPLASH AND DIRT PROTECTION

In addition to the water-repellent clothing for the rider, it makes sense, especially with e-bikes, to find out about their protection against water and dirt. IP protection classes are a helpful indicator to identify the form in which electrical components are protected against environmental influences. You will receive this information from the drive manufacturer. The Pendix eDrive is classified in protection class IP65 and therefore has complete protection against contact with dirt and water. So, you have nothing to fear when cycling through the rain.

AVOID LOSS OF RANGE IN COLD WEATHER

Whether it's a mobile phone or an e-bike battery, the cold can have an effect on the life of a battery. This is due to the basic structure of a lithium-ion battery: the reason for the loss of energy in the cold is the electrolyte. At cold temperatures, the viscous substance becomes increasingly thick and restricts the freedom of movement of the ions. The ideal operating temperature for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries is approx. 22°C. In order to avoid the inertia of the ions in winter the Pendix Battery Cover is very helpful. When the battery is stored at room temperature and then used in the cold, the cover keeps the battery in the ideal temperature range for longer. This allows you to achieve longer ranges than without a protective cover.

FACTORS INFLUENCING BATTERY CHARGING

The ePower should always be charged at room temperature in order to reduce power consumption during charging and to protect the battery so that it continues to provide the desired range performance. For this purpose, the Pendix ePower can simply be removed from the holder with a twisting motion and charged comfortably in the living room or dry cellar. It is not important whether the battery was discharged before charging. The service life of most e-bike batteries is 500 charging cycles. But even after 500 charging cycles, the battery can still be used. However, this can then only charge about 80% of its original battery capacity and thus offers a smaller range. One charge cycle corresponds to the complete recharging of the entire battery capacity. If a battery is charged four times from 75 % to 100 %, it is charged four times 25 %. Only after the fourth time would it be a full charge cycle. With the Pendix battery you can easily check this with our free Pendix.bike PRO app. With the Bluetooth connection between the battery and the app on your smartphone, you can find information about the ePower, its condition and how many complete charge cycles have already been performed on your battery.

LONG-TERM STORAGE OF THE BATTERY

Before storing the e-bike in the basement for the winter, the battery should be removed and always stored at room temperature. It is also important that the battery does not discharge completely over the months if it is not fully charged. This can cause irreversible damage to the cells. Therefore, the battery should ideally be stored with a charge level between 40 % and 70 % during winter storage. This can easily be read from the battery. The LED ring glows yellow when the battery is at this charging level. Thus, it ages more slowly than when it is fully charged. You should check the state of charge at least every 12 weeks and recharge it for overwintering if the LED ring is orange or red.

TIPS FOR MOTIVATION IN THE RAIN

Don't lose your motivation if you choose to commute with your e-bike, regardless of the weather:

Expand your music playlist and add classics like "Singing in the rain" for the energy boost you need.
Treat yourself to good rainwear and pay attention to breathable and water repellent materials, as well as the ability to block wind.
Take advantage of the free cycle paths while all the car drivers are stuck in traffic, giving you a chance to flash them a mischievous smile.
Practice finding joy in the little things, like a hot shower at home and cozy wool socks—after all, anticipation is often the greatest joy.
Prioritize safety by choosing quality accessories, such as reliable tires, visible clothing, and proper lighting for your bike.

Retrofitting with the new Pendix eDrive

Whether city, trekking, mountain or cargo bike - the Pendix eDrive can be fitted to almost any frame model and gives
your bike with additional momentum. Find the right eDrive for you using our configurator.

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