Storing an E-Bike is much like storing a standard bike but with a few extra considerations to keep your battery healthy and safe. Many of the steps are purely best practice and not requirements.
Your E- Bike has battery management systems in place to help care for things, but why not give your loved bike the best treatment?
- Battery storage charge: After returning from a ride, consider washing your bike, cleaning the chain and lubricating if needed then think of the battery. Ideally, if you aren’t riding within the next 12 hours, your battery should be left at a 30% state of charge. This is your battery’s happy state which will help to prolong its life. If after a ride your battery is less than this, give it a charge after letting it cool for a while, if it is more then there is no massive stress, just avoid parking your bike with a fully charged battery.
- Charging habits: Once you get into the habit of storing your battery at 30% charge, you should then charge your battery close before a ride. Once you need to use your bike, charge your bike close before then you are good to go. Just let it cool after charging before riding.
- Memory effect?: Modern E- Bike batteries have no memory effect which you may be familiar with some older style drill batteries. This means there is no need to run the battery fully down every time, and actually this is not the best practice. The battery can be charged, topped off and part charged without damage – but do consider the storage recommendations and that heat is not a good thing.
- Temperature: If you are hot or cold, they are hot or cold. It is always best to bring your battery inside for storage and charging. Avoid temperature extremes especially while charging the battery. Your bike frame and motor can handle temperature better and will be fine inside a shed or garage. While riding your bike you do not have to worry about cold so much as usage generates heat. Just consider that you may get less range in cold conditions due to your battery being slightly less efficient.
- Moisture: After a wash it is best to leave your bike to dry off in the breeze, even in winter before storing. Check for roof leaks on a covered shed or garage and keep away moisture to avoid corrosion. If you live near the sea this is especially important that salt is not left on the bike while the bike is stored in damp conditions. If stored outdoors, use a good quality well fitted waterproof cover.
- Security: Always lock your bike while stored with the biggest and strongest lock you are willing to invest in. Also consider fitting a tracker and look into what security measures your E- Bike manufacturer offers.