Ummm! The answer is yes and as well as no. I have taken my bike in the rain many times but thankfully nothing happened to my bike. It’s been 2-3 years since I’ve been riding e-bikes and it’s obvious that at some point I have to ride the bike in the rain.

Well, no one would want to ride their splash-proof or non IP-rated e-bike in the rain, if you ever see someone doing it then it would be the compulsion of that person to ride in such weather.

Is an Electric Bike Waterproof or Water Resistant?

Yes, waterproof electric bikes do come in the market. But many people got confused between waterproof and water resistant. People who have water-resistant e-bikes they think their ebike is waterproof and ride it like a motorcycle, taking it into water puddles, heavy rainstorms, etc and this causes ebike breakdowns. The majority of e-bikes are water resistant not waterproof.

People have to understand the difference between waterproof and water-resistant, especially in terms of ebike. So, below I have explained it.

Waterproof vs Water-Resistant

Waterproof

Waterproof means you can literally submerge the device in the water and water will not enter inside the device. It is called waterproof. Submerging an e-bike in water can damage its electrical components and void the warranty.

Water-Resistant

Water resistant means the device can bear light to moderate rain and water splashes without any major damage.

Understanding IP Rating

The IP rating stands for Ingress Protection rating which classifies the levels of protection from solid and liquid objects entering the device. The IP rating is usually expressed as “IP” followed by two digits, such as IP68.

Now let me break down the meaning of IP68, for reference check the below chart. The first no. denotes protection against solid objects and 2nd no. indicates protection against liquid. So, in IP68 number 6 refers to a dust-tight and number 8 means it can be immersed in water beyond 1 meter depth.

Common IP Ratings for E-Bikes

• IPX4: Protection against water splashes from any direction. Suitable for light rain.
• IPX5: Protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction. Suitable for moderate rain.
• IPX6: Protection against high-pressure water jets. Suitable for heavy rain but not for submersion.

Common Problems

Battery

The main and crucial component in any electric vehicle is the battery and if it’s become dead then you gonna have a big hole in your pocket. Right? Obviously battery is one of the costliest components in an electric bike and if it gets damaged then you need to buy a new one otherwise your PAS and throttle will not work. So, you make sure you cover the battery with waterproof material. Avoid exposing the battery to heavy rain or submersion in water.

Motor

Typically motor is designed that way it can resist light rain, water splashes easily but if you submerge it in water, water can go inside and it will rust out your motor and it won’t work.

Display & Controls

The display and control units on e-bikes are generally water-resistant (IP 65). But I must suggest you to check the IP rating so they can handle the expected riding conditions. Using protective covers can provide additional protection.

Cable Connection Point

Although the chances are low, if the cable is not sealed properly or is exposed to rain, severe changes could affect the display, motors and other components connected to the cable.

Warning 🚨: Never Leave your E-Bike Out in the Rain. Always Check IP Ratings Before Buying an E-Bike.

How to Avoid These Problems?

• DO NOT submerge the e-bike in deep water.
• DO NOT ride through flooded streets or rivers.
• DO NOT pressure wash your e-bike.
• DO NOT ride through deep puddles, muddy puddles or deep snow.
• DO Park in a dry-covered area.
• DO use a battery cover and it will give extra protection.

Post-Ride Maintenance

1. Cleaning and drying your e-bike: Use a dry towel and wipe down all the water droplets on the bike.

2. Preventing rust and corrosion: Put oil or grease on the chain and gear system.

Waterproofing Tips

I thought if I’m writing about rain and it’s drawbacks then I must give some tips also. Otherwise, it would not be great if I just yes or no and ended the article. That’s why I shared some waterproofing tips.

Cover Display with Plastic Bag

You can use a zip-lock bag or any plastic bag above micron 51 would work great and use the rubber band to tie it from behind. This will save your display from the rain but you need to take care few things.

• Firstly don’t put plastic cover all the time, as a result, this will create water droplets from humidity and cause damage to the display. So, take it off when it’s not raining.
• Second, always check the IP rating of the display and battery before buying the bike.

Cover Cables with Heat Shrink Tube

Now, another thing that you can do to save your e-bike from water or rain is to cover your connection points with a heat sink tube. It is better for the customised bike as company built bike don’t face such issues in general. Well, there is one more advantage as it will look more neat and clean and if there is any cut in the wire it will save it.

I have seen people wrap their ebike battery with a heat sink tube as well.

FAQs

Q1. Can all e-bikes be ridden in the rain?

Ans. No, not all e-bikes can be ridden in the rain. You before taking it out in the rain check the IP rating then accordingly take it into water.

Q2. How do I protect my e-bike’s battery from water damage?

Ans. If your ebike’s battery is in-built then you don’t need to worry but if your ebike has an external battery then you can use a waterproof cover and check the battery compartment is sealed.

Q3. What maintenance should I perform after riding in the rain?

Ans. Firstly, wipe down the ebike, dry the chain, gears & moving parts. Put grease or oil if needed.

Q4. Do I need special tires for riding in the rain?

Ans. No, not necessarily. If your ebike has good treaded tires and is properly inflated that is enough to provide better traction on wet roads.

Q5. How does rain affect braking on an e-bike?

Ans. Yes, rain does affect the braking on ebike. It’s better to apply the brake earlier and more gradually in wet conditions.

All in All

I hope you understand the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. And yes, you can ride the ebike in the rain if you take proper precautions.

That’s all for this topic. I hope we have answered all your questions. In case we left some questions you can ask in the comment section, I will either add to the article or answer your comment directly.

Thank you for reading!

Image credit: Reddit, EMTB Forums