Protecting the motor from water when Decoy is on car bike rack

[leftside]

Very dry right now in Western Canada, but that can all change very quickly! I've read that you don't want the motor of an ebike to be hit by water on the roads whilst it's on you bike rack. The water is going to hit the motor much harder and faster when driving the can than when riding on wet trails.

I was thinking of getting something like this?

Basil Mid Engine Cover Universal - Mid Engine Cover - Black

Protect the vulnerable middle motor of your electric bike with the Basil Mid Engine Cover Universal protective cover. The cover is very easy to fit and unive...

www.basil.com

Anyone used that? Or something else?

 

[Sapientiea]

Very dry right now in Western Canada, but that can all change very quickly! I've read that you don't want the motor of an ebike to be hit by water on the roads whilst it's on you bike rack. The water is going to hit the motor much harder and faster when driving the can than when riding on wet trails.

I was thinking of getting something like this?

Basil Mid Engine Cover Universal - Mid Engine Cover - Black

Protect the vulnerable middle motor of your electric bike with the Basil Mid Engine Cover Universal protective cover. The cover is very easy to fit and unive...

www.basil.com

Anyone used that? Or something else?

It depends where the bike is located. With me it is behind the car. No way the motor gets direct road water. Traveled many many miles with bike like that. If it is on the roof, maybe...I do not know.

 

[leftside]

It depends where the bike is located. With me it is behind the car. No way the motor gets direct road water. Traveled many many miles with bike like that. If it is on the roof, maybe...I do not know.

Mine is on the rear of the car - a kuat rack. I do have mud flaps on the car, but would have thought a fair amount of spray from the car rear wheels would still hit the bike?

 

[gregor.skaletz]

Why not use cling film and wrap it around battery and motor if you are afraid?

 

[steve_sordy]

Why not use cling film and wrap it around battery and motor if you are afraid?

I have tried clingfilm. You will need to add Sellotape to hold it on, then struggle to get it off at the other end.

 

[Sapientiea]

Mine is on the rear of the car - a kuat rack. I do have mud flaps on the car, but would have thought a fair amount of spray from the car rear wheels would still hit the bike?

Well I have tow rack mounted on a Ford Focus wagon. I have no issues and I have driven many times in really hard rain with 100+kph for hours
I do use something to shield the battery compartment while travelling

 

[ziscwg]

I too have had no issues driving in pouring rain with my Decoy on a hitch rack. I do take the battery off and clean the contacts after a long drive in the rain

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Very dry right now in Western Canada, but that can all change very quickly! I've read that you don't want the motor of an ebike to be hit by water on the roads whilst it's on you bike rack. The water is going to hit the motor much harder and faster when driving the can than when riding on wet trails.

I was thinking of getting something like this?

Basil Mid Engine Cover Universal - Mid Engine Cover - Black

Protect the vulnerable middle motor of your electric bike with the Basil Mid Engine Cover Universal protective cover. The cover is very easy to fit and unive...

www.basil.com

Anyone used that? Or something else?

It doesn't really claim to protect the motor from water, though it might help.

 

[leftside]

They mention this issue here at around about the 1:30 mark:

 

[Sapientiea]

They mention a few of this issues here at around about the 1:30 mark:

Hi, not to be negative about GMBN (maybe a little..), but the center of the bikes and thus the motor is behind the car. Somewhere around the license plate. When we had ridden in very muddy conditions and transported the bikes on the rack back to our house (1hour drive) in a down pour even the mud is not washed off. I also have never, with our Jeffsies, Decoys or previous bikes, had any problems of rain and speeds of 100 - 130kph. No bearing issues, not motor issues, nothing other than the disc-brakes getting a bit dirty on very long rides (2-days).
Foto is bad since I had to zoom in a lot and could not find any others quickly. I can assure you that it is not an issue. The aerodynamics of a car will also not allow for high speed rain droplets to reach pressure washer speeds for sure....!

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Hi, not to be negative about GMBN (maybe a little..), but the center of the bikes and thus the motor is behind the car. Somewhere around the license plate. When we had ridden in very muddy conditions and transported the bikes on the rack back to our house (1hour drive) in a down pour even the mud is not washed off. I also have never, with our Jeffsies, Decoys or previous bikes, had any problems of rain and speeds of 100 - 130kph. No bearing issues, not motor issues, nothing other than the disc-brakes getting a bit dirty on very long rides (2-days).
Foto is bad since I had to zoom in a lot and could not find any others quickly. I can assure you that it is not an issue. The aerodynamics of a car will also not allow for high speed rain droplets to reach pressure washer speeds for sure....!

View attachment 37095

As to GMBN, it must be hard continuing to come up with new content as much programming as they put out. I'm noticing that a lot more, lately, and watching a lot less. Get tired of all the paid-promotions, too. Some promotions are stated and some are just obvious.

 

[Sapientiea]

As to GMBN, it must be hard continuing to come up with new content as much programming as they put out. I'm noticing that a lot more, lately, and watching a lot less. Get tired of all the paid-promotions, too. Some promotions are stated and some are just obvious.

Agreed, GMBN as well as EMBN are making videos because the need to. Original content is gone for some time now. Also, some of the test procedures are lacking serious merit most of the time. As a scientist I can not bear to watch the many mistakes they make

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Agreed, GMBN as well as EMBN are making videos because the need to. Original content is gone for some time now. Also, some of the test procedures are lacking serious merit most of the time. As a scientist I can not bear to watch the many mistakes they make

I know, right? I always laugh at their unscientific tests, they're so meaningless.

 

[Merthyr Martyn]

Nth is engine cover must be the most useless thing you can buy
Won’t protect your bike from water ingress in the UK we ride through mud and wet trails bring the bike home and hose it down after hand washing
More chance of water going in the motor which most manufacturers have solved now

 

[nB2000]

I was thinking of getting something like this?

Basil Mid Engine Cover Universal - Mid Engine Cover - Black

Protect the vulnerable middle motor of your electric bike with the Basil Mid Engine Cover Universal protective cover. The cover is very easy to fit and unive...

www.basil.com

Anyone used that? Or something else?

That product looks like its permanently affixed?
The holes for the cranks don't look slotted, so it would be cranks off to fit perhaps, is that right?
If so I'd think that’s adding risk rather than reducing it.
There was a trend in the 90's to add boots or neoprene wraps to suspension fork stanchions/ seal area and similar wraps to shocks to keep crap off, but, if any got in, it couldn’t get out and with damp or mud being out of sight it was often missed leading to corrosion.
Something wrapped around the motor just for the drive might be good for your peace of mind when carrying (although others experience above seems to indicate it's not needed - if mud is not washed off there can't be too much water spraying the area.). I would not want to fit a permanent neoprene boot myself, though.

 

[leftside]

That product looks like its permanently affixed?
The holes for the cranks don't look slotted, so it would be cranks off to fit perhaps, is that right?
If so I'd think that’s adding risk rather than reducing it.
There was a trend in the 90's to add boots or neoprene wraps to suspension fork stanchions/ seal area and similar wraps to shocks to keep crap off, but, if any got in, it couldn’t get out and with damp or mud being out of sight it was often missed leading to corrosion.
Something wrapped around the motor just for the drive might be good for your peace of mind when carrying (although others experience above seems to indicate it's not needed - if mud is not washed off there can't be too much water spraying the area.). I would not want to fit a permanent neoprene boot myself, though.

I was also thinking the same after taking a second look. Based on the other comments from above, this might not even be something to worry about. Thanks.

 

[mtbninja]

I trust how well the motors are sealed, they are made that way for a reason, and on the back it wont get anything more than you'd get riding.. Even on the roof I don't think the motor would get exposed that badly.

One big recommendation is to always remove the battery when transporting. Many bikes have frame vents and things to let heat out from the motor and mainly the battery. I'd always go with disconnecting the battery and transporting it in the car. Check the connections are clear and dry before re-installing the battery. Also good to check the connections are clean and dry prior to storing the bike to prevent rust and corrosion.