If you’ve ever thought riding an e-bike is an activity only for the warm weather months, think again! Snowy rides can be a totally new frontier for you and your electric fat bike. While riding in the snow will offer you some amazing ride opportunities, it also poses some unique challenges that you must be ready to confront both before, during, and after your ride. Read on to learn some tips that will make snow riding as easy, safe, and fun as possible!
Before
There are a few key things you can do before bringing your ebike out into the snow that will make for a better, safer ride. First, be sure your battery (and any spares you plan on bringing with you) is fully charged. And, some e-bike aficionados recommend topping off your electric bike battery just before taking it out into the snow. A good tip for any time you take your e-bike for a ride, including a ride in the snow, is to do a full assessment of the bike and all its parts in advance. For example, be sure the tires have enough air, the chain is lubricated, and ensure everything is in working order. Not only will this make your riding experience better, but you can also help protect yourself from being stuck in the cold with future headaches. One of the most important cold weather riding tips is to make sure your battery and the e-bike itself are warm before you take it out to ride. A warm e-bike is better suited for efficient riding, and a warm battery is more likely to have a fuller capacity than a cold one. Finally (and this might sound obvious, so please bear with us), dress and pack for the occasion. Layer up, don cold-weather gear, bring a set of dry clothes, and consider packing some safety gear, like a collapsible shovel, first aid kit, or snacks. Safety is paramount here, and planning ahead will make it simple to bring everything you need along for your ride.
Photo credit: Mark Adye
During
When riding your e-bike in the snow, be prepared to skid and ride a bit differently than you are used to. And, it is likely that the snow will take you off course at times, that you will get stuck, and that your ride might be unpredictable. Similar to when driving in the snow or heavy rains, be careful of sharp or erratic braking. As you get more experience riding your electric bike in the snow, predicting how your bike will react to certain terrains, elevations, and levels of steepness will come more naturally to you. Instead of slamming on your front brake, try not to panic and instead, gradually rely on your back brake. Finally, lean into speed, as it will give your bike more stability, especially when riding through fresh snow. Speed, especially when coupled with a good distribution of weight, such as by keeping your weight off the seat and on the pedals, will help you keep control of your bike, even as you navigate through the snowpack. Lastly, when riding in the snow, you’ll want to try and avoid taking your hands off your handlebars even for a second, and another pro tip is to try dragging a foot when you go around corners, and in-general, when riding in snow - be very gentle with your throttle.
Photo credit: Mark Adye
After
After an afternoon of riding, the last thing you will want to do is lug your bike back uphill. By leaving your car at the lowest point of wherever you ride, you can make the work of getting back to the warmth of your vehicle easier and faster. When you are getting ready to get back on the road, be sure to store your electric fat bike in your car rather than hitch it up to the car externally. This will protect your ebike from corrosion caused by natural elements like the cold or chemical-based ones, like road salt. Once you're back home, store your e-bike someplace safe, charge your electric bike’s battery, warm up, and get excited to take out your electric fat bike in the snow again sometime soon.
We at Rize Bikes want to give a big thank you to Karl Gesslein at Electricbike-blog.com for inspiring this post and for offering many amazing tips. We also want to thank you for reading and encourage you to reach out with any questions or to let us know how your Rize Bike has been faring in the snow. Until next time!
