E-Bikes Are A Winter Commuting Revelation
Winter 2022-23 was my first full winter of having access to an e-bike and I was awakened to how incredible e-bikes really can be. In 12 months I put over 4000kms on it, with the vast majority being daily commuting trips to the shop and back. Over the years I have ridden more than my fair share of e-bikes. Not only every single model we have ever offered but also other bikes when the opportunity presented itself. With those experiences I thought I had a pretty good idea what e-bikes were all about. But owning one for just over a year now has added a lot of experience to that knowledge base and I am convinced e-bikes are a real game changer for transport in cities, summer AND winter.
But first, to get one obvious consideration out of the way immediately: Winter maintenance/winter conditions do matter and do make a difference. If you live in an area/community where winter conditions are unsafe, much of my commentary might not matter.
My e-bike is a Surly Skid Loader and it suits my needs perfectly. My kids have grown so hauling children is not a consideration. What I wanted was a bike I could ride everywhere and on any surface. I also wanted to option to add a second battery in case some more e-bikepacking adventures become a possibility. I also wanted the ability to haul a cargo trailer and Skid Loader manages this just fine. Finally I wanted to have large panniers so it could handle all my daily life errands and shopping. Skid Loader clears all these hurdles…and some.
So, not all e-bikes are going to be a good choice for use in snowy/icy winter conditions. The best bikes for year ‘round use should come with some critical accessories and features including lighting, full mudguards/fenders, ideally a rack so you do not have to wear a backpack, maybe even internal gearing or a chainguard, easily removable battery (if you need to overnight your bike outside), and crucially - a wheel/tire size that allows installation of studded tires. YOU WANT STUDDED TIRES. And, on the topic of tires, especially for e-biking in winter, go for the biggest/burliest studded tires you can fit under your fenders. To me, all of these features are a must for successful and fun winter e-biking.
So, why is an (appropriately equipped) e-bike so good, maybe even a gamechanger, for bike commuting in winter? To me, there are 2 main reasons: The power available and the weight of the bike itself.
POWER: This one is obvious. We’re talking about e-bikes after all. The extra power available allows one to bundle up and dress for the cold without worrying about overdressing and becoming a sweaty mess. Just add more “juice” and keep the heart rate and breathing at normal levels. The added power of an e-bike also pushes through softer surfaces conditions, denser air, and the added drag of studded tires.
WEIGHT: The added weight of an e-bike “plants” the bike better, offering more traction on snow and ice. Studded tires are a must for the weight of the bike to benefit you. Again, as I mentioned in the disclaimer above, conditions matter. If surface conditions are too soft, the weight of the bike can suddenly become a liability. If you get “out of shape” in soft/snirty snow you might find it hard to control the heavier bike and wipe outs might happen. Some of this can be mitigated by reducing your overall speed in rough/soft conditions.
Other Considerations
Battery Maintenance: Range will be diminished, perhaps by as much as 50%, so keep that in mind. Some of our customers have purchased an extra charger to keep at work so they can always have a full battery. Also, and very very important, if you have been riding in subzero weather, wait a few hours before plugging your battery in. Bosch has info here.
Winter Service: Be sure to book your bike in for a winter service before the snow flies. We can get your studs installed, ensure your shifting systems are functioning well, and also make sure your braking system is ready to go. As well, you will need to do a bit more maintenance in winter to clean off the salty stuff from your bike. The best way is to use warm soapy water and a bit of elbow grease/rags then let your bike drip dry and be sure to re-lube your chain with a “wet” type chain lube.
Happy Winter Cycling!