Wet weather riding

Stihldog

Handheld Power Tool
Subscriber
Jun 10, 2020
3,671
5,231
Coquitlam, BC
Water is just a part of riding here. I’ll take whatever precautions I can but most of the time it’s just unavoidable.

I’m an all-weather rider…even hail. But that tends to slow me down a bit. My biggest concern is my eyes, and when it’s raining, my vision. I’ve tried different types of riding glasses but one type seems to be suitable in most weather conditions. (Btw, my hairdresser gets upset when my hair becomes wet so I stopped taking Hambini’s advice.😉)

I don’t use full fenders, except to protect the lower pivot, and I occasionally get to taste the dirt that fly’s off my front tire. I hate wet feet. Period. So I use different shoes for those wet-ish rides.…with mixed success.

The amount of water I’ve put my bike through would horrify some. 😱💦😱🥶

Edit; Thank goodness we don’t have UK mud or Spains sand or Cali’s thorns.
Whew 😰.
 
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Waynemarlow

E*POWAH Master
Dec 6, 2019
1,126
902
Bucks
Remember the days when every connector was filled with grease, surprisingly effective even on 4x4’s where often the motor could nearly be in water. Filled my Bafang connectors with grease from new as a precaution, touch wood I haven’t had any problems yet.
 

Binhill1

🍊 Tango Man 🍊
Mar 7, 2019
3,429
5,318
Scotland
There's rain and there's rain. That shower is not good for more than a short cycle

20230701_180413.jpg
 

Hobo Mikey

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Subscriber
May 22, 2020
1,028
2,786
Where ever
Weather for today
IMG_2833.png

What to do, stay in camper and look out window at rain or go to Llandegla Bike park. Decision made, car loaded up and away I go to Llandegla. I am not made of sugar and my bike is not an ornament. 😂 👍
 

Binhill1

🍊 Tango Man 🍊
Mar 7, 2019
3,429
5,318
Scotland
Weather for today
View attachment 119369
What to do, stay in camper and look out window at rain or go to Llandegla Bike park. Decision made, car loaded up and away I go to Llandegla. I am not made of sugar and my bike is not an ornament. 😂 👍
I just got offered 5 nights in a
mountaineering club cottage with the local walking club i am in . Its down at Deiniolen near Llanberis . It's about a nine hour drive from me but at £10 a night I am tempted. Its in September but it could take that long to convince wife I really need to go . Couple of days walking and three biking 🤔 fingers crossed.
 

Stihldog

Handheld Power Tool
Subscriber
Jun 10, 2020
3,671
5,231
Coquitlam, BC
Most riders here expect, or are prepared, for some wet weather riding. We don’t get the intense rains but rainy conditions for 2 months without a break can happen. Probably similar weather as the west coast of Europe.

Smoke from forest fires is usually a show stopper. It can start as a haze and can become a thick smokey fog. Any outdoor activity is avoided. A few years ago we were affected by the fires in California, and then by the dry and risky conditions in our area.

We get the occasional landslide from excessive rain but not at devastating levels. Wind is moderate. Some heat is ok. No earthquakes yet. Bugs are seasonal.

Imo, dry, hot and sunny conditions, over just a few weeks, can be our enemy. So I don’t mind the rain and snow.
 

Wilbur

Member
Dec 12, 2022
128
90
New Zealand
Don’t like riding wet trails (track builder for over 15 years). Like it even less on an ebike (electrical engineering background).
If you turn bikes over within the warranty period; go for it. Just don’t complain when the motor stuffs out and your trails are trashed.
 

JP-NZ

E*POWAH Elite
Feb 17, 2022
1,211
932
Christchurch - New Zealand
Here in the U.K. if you never rode out in the rain it would be a waste of time having a bike. 😂
yes it’s a pain washing down after all the time but it’s great being out there. 👍
HAHA yea I really feel for you all in the UK. Here in Christchurch (NZ) our "winter" is only June, July and August. Even then we only have around 20cm of rain for those 3 months and average temps 3-8c.

The other 9 months are peak riding weather especially March to May and September to November (before it gets too hot and you need to stay at the pub).
 

Kingerz

Active member
Jul 11, 2021
215
178
Australia
Never in really wet weather. I do go in mildly muddy conditions and am careful with washing.
It helps to be in Australia, but we still have plenty of cold, wet weather in Victoria (-4c sometimes).
Once the warranty is out, you are on your own, BUT the damage starts before the 2 year mark.
I know so many people with busted motors, especially Kenevos and Levos on motor number 4, but my 2018 Kenevo is still going because it's essentially been treated right.
Submerging any electric motor that is basically just splash-proof is asking for damage, internal corrosion or glitches.
In no other situation but eMB will you see people putting lightly waterproofed electric devices in muddy wet conditions for hours, literally spraying gritty mud at them for hours, just 'because that's what we do'.
 
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Binhill1

🍊 Tango Man 🍊
Mar 7, 2019
3,429
5,318
Scotland
Never in really wet weather. I do go in mildly muddy conditions and am careful with washing.
It helps to be in Australia, but we still have plenty of cold, wet weather in Victoria (-4c sometimes).
Once the warranty is out, you are on your own, BUT the damage starts before the 2 year mark.
I know so many people with busted motors, especially Kenevos and Levos on motor number 4, but my 2018 Kenevo is still going because it's essentially been treated right.
Submerging any electric motor that is basically just splash-proof is asking for damage, internal corrosion or glitches.
In no other situation but eMB will you see people putting lightly waterproofed electric devices in muddy wet conditions for hours, literally spraying gritty mud at them for hours, just 'because that's what we do'.
Yes its not easy it doesn't really have to be that wet or muddy the big front tire throws everything towards the motor. It's getting in places you don't see . And stripping cranks and fiddly little bolts off and on to clean twice a week they just get worn as well. I think we need to accept they are a long way from waterproof yet. If I get 3 rides without washing I'm over the moon
 
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