How to Store an Electric Bike

The way you store any kind of bicycle can affect its performance and durability. E-bikes are no different, except they have their own specific storage guidelines that are worth adhering to. You do after all have all those electrical components that need special attention. To keep with the spirit of efficiency associated with electric bikes, it’s in your best interests to develop an exhaustive (not exhausting) storage strategy. We’re going to show you how.

From getting your bike ready for storage to cleaning it up and inspecting it, we’ll cover it all. You’re also going to learn how to prepare the electric bike for storage, how to pick the right location to store it, different storage methods, and what to do with accessories. Keep reading for more.

Preparing the Electric Bike for Storage

Cleaning and Inspection

In addition to ensuring that the bike is stored in a clean place, the bike itself must be clean. This is as simple as wiping it down with a dry rag when it’s dusty, and if you’re going to use soap and water; watch out for the electrical components. Once you’ve got the cleaning part covered, you can then inspect the bike for any damages or issues. This is key because early detection can mean nipping the issues in the bud before they get worse. From there, simply lubricate the moving parts to curb the effects of all the friction and then you shift your focus on the battery next.

Battery Maintenance

Storing the bike at the right battery level is key to guaranteeing that it lasts as long as it can. Generally, you want to keep it at least 50 percent to 80 percent charged, anything below or above that isn’t ideal at all. That’s especially the case if you’re not going to be riding it for a while.

Wherever you choose to store your battery, it needs to stay in a cool and dry place. Room temperature should do, because if it’s too cool, the battery won’t provide the expected range.

Tire Care

When it comes to tires, consistent and adequate inflation is key. Your bike’s instruction manual should have this information, though some bikes will have the recommended pressure written on the sidewall of the tires. The moment you fill them up with air, you can begin to check for punctures or wear. For added protection, you can get a set of covers for your tires.

Choosing the Right Storage Location

Indoor Storage

Indoor storage is ideal as it protects your bike from the elements while providing a long-term safekeeping solution. Now if you’re going to keep your bike indoors, you need to be mindful of exactly where you keep it placed. Dryness is a necessary feature and you want that spot to remain at the same temperature throughout. You know how bicycles just have to fall over every now and again? You can lower the chances of that happening by having a bike stand or wall mount installed. Of course, you won’t have to worry about any of this if you add overnight storage to your Whizz subscription for an extra $29 a month.

Outdoor Storage

Outdoor storage isn’t such a bad idea if it’s only for a short period of time. Even so, you must take proper protection measures and maintain a standard. Although your garage or shed may be safe it’s still a good idea to get a weatherproof bike cover to protect your e-bike from debris and the elements. This will also keep your bike safe from the sun, the rain, and in many cases; UV rays. As a general rule, however, you’ll have to avoid direct exposure to sunlight as well as excess humidity.

Storage Accessories and Methods

Bike Covers

The good news is there’s wide selection of bike covers to choose from and they’re usually hard-wearing and made from robust materials. That’s what makes them better suited for the perils of the outside world. Indoor e-bike covers will do just fine for storing the bike in your house, however, as well as protecting it from more subtle dangers like dust and scratches. Indoor covers are customarily made to be lighter and more porous as well.

There are also going to be differences in just how much of the bike a cover will cover. There are full covers that encompass the entire bike and there are half-covers that cover only half of the bike. The former can protect your bike for long stretches of time and is suited for long journeys, while the latter is fine for short-term storage or quick pull-and-ride situations.

There is also something called a transport cover for when you’re transporting your bike from one place to another. This one is designed to protect your bike from all the bumps and rattles on the road, while a folding cover, on the other hand, is usually made to accommodate an inward folding bike.

You’ll do well to get a cover that’s the right size for your bike. Anything too small or too big can compromise the security of your bike. Material is also worth considering because this too will determine just how well-protected your bike will be. Think about the climate in your area, how active of a rider you are, as well as your storage needs. Once you have, you’ll be in the perfect position to choose the right cover that fits your bike and your lifestyle.

Bike Stands and Racks

There are two main types of bike stands available on the market. One is meant for storing the bike and the other kind is for when you need to repair the bike. Storage stands are usually fixed to the ground while repair stands serve to keep the bike off the ground. The repair stand will offer more in terms of stability, so you’re able to work on the bike without worrying about it falling over. In comparison, storage stands are meant to just keep your bike in a fixed place.

For bike storage on the go, there are many different kinds of bike racks to choose from as well. There are roof mounts, which allow for your bike to be stored on the roof of your car, and trunk mounts, which allow you to store your bike on the trunk of your car. Hitch mounts will let you place your bike in your car while spare tire mounts provide a place to attach your spare tire.

Where you place your bike stand or rack counts. You want to choose somewhere easy to reach, a place that isn’t hidden, and somewhere safe. There needs to be enough space around your rack or stand so that it’s easy to mount and dismount the bike. There’s also the question of stability. You need to make sure your stand or rack is strong enough to handle the length of the frame, the wideness of the tires, or the height of the handlebars.

Wall Mounts

Having your bike mounted to the wall means there’s more space to keep gear on the ground. It also means you can move with ease around where your bike is stored. They’re especially useful for indoor storage if you want to maximize your space.

When deciding on a wall mount, remember to take into account the make, dimensions, and weight of your e-bike. You should also consider whether you want to mount the bike vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. You can then move on to finding the perfect spot on your wall, and remember to follow the instructions that come with the wall mount. Before you know it, you’ll have secured great storage space for your bike on the wall where it’ll be safe and stable.

Additional Storage Tips

E-bikes are a desirable item that any thief may deem worth stealing. For that reason, you have to take some security measures to protect your investment. It’ll be good if you get a quality lock and a strong chain that will link to a ground anchor. You can take it a step further and get your hands on a bike alarm or GPS tracker. The moment someone tries to lay their hands on it or transport your bike anywhere, you’ll be able to know and take action.

Regular Check-ups

It doesn’t just end with storing the e-bike well. You’ve got to consistently perform routine maintenance check-ups while it’s in storage, whether or not you frequently ride. As soon as you discover a problem or potential problem, deal with it as soon as you can. It’s best to conduct whatever repairs or maintenance is needed before you take the bike out for a spin again.

Winter Storage

You’ll need to take certain considerations into account when storing your e-bike during winter. For one, the right temperature for storing a bike is between 32 and 68 degrees, which is above freezing temperatures and at room temperature. Since winter can expose your bike to salt and moisture, you’ll have to exercise some caution. What you can do is to keep your bike clean and greased up where it needs to be, before you store it away.

Conclusion

To keep your e-bike working efficiently and effectively, proper storage should be a priority, especially if you want to keep the mechanical and electric parts of your bike safe. After all, an e-bike has more complicated and sensitive components compared to a normal bicycle. It also comes at a higher cost, which should serve as an incentive for you to take proper care of it.

The right approach to storage can also keep vandals and thieves at bay. As e-bikes become more popular, people with malicious intent may want to take advantage. Applying the safety measures mentioned above will mean you can enjoy your e-bike for years to come, without any criminal incidents to deal with.

Protecting the battery is another reason for employing an all-inclusive storage plan. Not only is this the part most easily susceptible to damage, it’s also the priciest part of the bike. Everything from the heat to the cold and even the smallest of dust particles can have a negative effect on it. Any one of those factors can affect the battery’s range, power, or performance. In fact, the battery can even burst into flames under the wrong circumstances, which can be highly dangerous.

So it all starts with cleaning and inspecting your bike regularly, and that involves wiping the bike, inspecting it for damage, and lubricating moving parts. Once you have that covered, take the necessary steps to keep your battery well-maintained at all times. For that, you should keep it partially charged and away from the bike, and it should be stored at room temperature. After that, focus on your tires. They have to be inflated at the recommended pressure and checked for damage and possibly even covered with tire covers.

Your storage location must also be carefully chosen, with your frequency of riding, weather conditions, and stability in mind. When you have that figured out, you can then consider getting storage accessories such as bike covers, stands, racks, or wall mounts. You can also explore the various storage methods available according to your needs. Take some security measures, conduct regular check-ups, and be prepared for a different storage dynamic during winter.

Now you know what it takes to keep your bike stored well. Apply these guidelines at all times, and if at any point you feel out of your depth, consult someone who knows a bit more about e-bike storage, like the Whizz team at our New York offices. Otherwise, you should be able to run a tight storage agenda. Now do the right thing and store your e-bike the proper way.