Winterizing your electric bike: bike and battery

The first frosts are here. Winterizing an electric bike is simple once you know one thing: the bike can handle the cold, but the battery can’t.

In short

Wash your bike before storing it.
The bike can spend the winter in an unheated shed, as long as it’s dry.
The battery spends the winter indoors, in a dry place, between 10 °C and 35 °C.
Fully charge the battery before storing it, then put it in sleep mode.
Save the tune-up for spring.

1. Wash your bike before storing it

Especially if it’s very dirty: mud, sand and salt keep wearing down parts all winter long.

Turn off the bike. Spray on a waterless cleaner, then wipe it off with a microfibre cloth. If needed, rinse lightly with a garden hose.
Never use a pressure washer or spray water directly on electrical components: wipe them with a dry cloth.
Keep all products off the brake discs, and don’t touch them with your fingers.
Degrease, then lubricate the chain and derailleur. Don’t use solvents (alcohol, gasoline, acetone) anywhere else.

Our team shows you how in this video:

2. The bike: dry and sheltered

Without its battery, the bike can spend the winter in an unheated shed or garage, as long as it’s dry, secure and protected from the elements. Also remove the AA batteries from the rear light, if it has any, and inflate the tires to the pressure shown on the sidewall. A breathable cover is better than a plastic tarp, which traps moisture.

3. The battery: indoors, between 10 °C and 35 °C

This is the most important step. Store the battery and its charger inside the house, in a dry place, between 10 °C and 35 °C, never in an unheated garage, shed or basement. Give it a full charge first.

With sleep mode (most batteries sold since 2023)

After the full charge, unplug the charger.
Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds, then press it briefly: if the indicator light no longer turns on, the battery is in sleep mode.
At least every 3 months, give it a full charge, then put it back in sleep mode.

Watch: Understanding sleep mode

Without sleep mode (bikes made before 2023)

Every month, charge the battery for at least 15 minutes, then unplug the charger.

Good to know: never leave the battery on the charger for more than 24 hours. Following these steps protects your battery and your warranty.

4. Save the tune-up for spring

Done in the fall, the adjustments can shift while the bike is in storage. In the spring:

Wake up the battery (power button or charger) and give it a full charge.
Have a tune-up done at a specialized service centre. Keep the receipt: it may be required for the warranty.
Check the tires, brakes and lights.

5. Riding in winter? Only in mild weather

The owner’s manual advises against riding at 0 °C or below, on snow or ice, or when there’s salt, sand or calcium on the road; doing so may void the limited warranty. In mild weather, bring the battery inside after every ride, let it return to room temperature before charging it, and expect less range in the cold.