Can You Store Electric Bikes Outside?

Electric bikes are often a tad bigger and heavier and take up more space than regular bicycles. Therefore, it isn’t uncommon for electric bike owners to consider storing their bikes outside where more room is available. However, can you store electric bikes outside? And is it wise to do so?

You can store electric bikes outside, but the long-term consequences suggest it isn’t the best place to store one. So instead, keep your bike in an enclosed and temperature-controlled area. This is because the weather can significantly damage the mechanics and electrical wiring of your e-bike.

Sometimes being able to do something does not necessarily mean it’s the correct thing. This seems to be the case with electric bikes.

If you want the bike to work efficiently for the foreseeable future, looking at other storage options may save you extra maintenance and repair costs.

Here’s everything you need to know about storing your e-bike outside, what will happen if you do, and some other storage options to consider.

All About Whether You Can Store Electric Bikes Outside

Although it isn’t something often addressed when buying an electronic bicycle, where you plan on storing a bike is essential. This is because these mechanical devices don’t do well when left outside.

The wiring can get highly damaged in different situations when stored outside. Therefore, electric bikes can be stored outside but not long term.

What Happens If An Electric Bike Is Stored Outside?

You’ll have to contend with several things if you choose to store your e-bicycle outside. The most important are corrosion and security, as these two problems could ruin your bicycle in no time.

Rust And Corrosion

The weather can be brutal on electric bikes. Rain, mist, frost, and humidity are examples of moisture that can cause corrosion, most commonly rust.

Regardless of how high quality an e-bike’s metal is, rust will accumulate over time. It is recommended that electric bike owners avoid storing their bikes outside.

The weather can impact them and cause them to rust out altogether before riders get the full use out of them, especially if they live in an area that is near the ocean or with high humidity.

If you have ridden your bike in the rain and had no issues, it’s because most electric bikes are sealed.

However, water could get into the electrical components if the bike gets too wet. To avoid this issue, keep your bicycle covered when not in use.

You may think that a plastic covering will waterproof your bike against the elements. However, that isn’t the case. A plastic covering isn’t ideal because it can be problematic since humidity can build up and drop onto the bike.

Theft

Theft is a problem in many parts of the world. Anyone with nefarious intentions has plenty of time to decide whether or not to try to grab your bike and take off with it if it is secured outside and in plain sight.

With the necessary equipment, planning, and enough time, even the safest locks can be broken.

Therefore, in terms of security, storing your electric bike outside isn’t a good idea, mainly when it is impossible to guarantee that nothing will happen to it.

Where Should You Store Electric Bikes?

Several factors determine the best or most ideal place to store your bike. These differ per person but are generally:

How much room do you have to store the bike?
Is it easy to maneuver in and out of its storage place?
Will it be stored on or off the floor?
Does the storage area have an electrical outlet?
Will the bike be protected from the weather?

As can be seen, there are quite a few things to consider when choosing the ideal place to store your electric bike.

Ideally, the best place to store your bike is in a covered, climate-controlled, enclosed area. These would be:

Garage
Storage shed
Inside the apartment or house
Carport
On a rack with a covering

However, not everyone can store their e-bike inside. Alternatively, you can remove the battery and keep it inside if you choose to keep the bike outside if your bike has a removable battery.

Remember that this isn’t the best long-term solution if your bike uses a lithium-ion battery.

They shouldn’t go back and forth between different temperatures as they can lose their charge. Also, consider taking your LCD screens if they can come off quickly.

If you have to store your e-bike outside, find out from your bike manufacturer if they have a cover made specifically for your bike.

It’s best to contact your manufacturer, not a different one, as there are various bike styles, frames, and sizes.

A regular bike cover may fail to cover your bike adequately.

Note: Temperature plays a huge role in electronic bikes. Many people mainly focus on dirt, water, etc., and rarely consider temperature. However, the temperature has the most significant impact on an e-bike’s battery.

If you store your electric bike in a garage or shed, it will be protected from the elements and potential theft. However, sudden temperature changes can still damage your bike, especially if you live in a hot climate.

The storage areas can get extremely hot, much hotter than it is outside. That heat will negatively affect the e-bike’s battery.

The ideal solution is to take out the battery and store it where the temperature is regulated. Similarly, extreme cold can damage your bike.

Charging a battery when it hasn’t warmed up past freezing temperatures will undoubtedly affect how long it will last. So chances are, you’ll need a new battery sooner than you think.

Final Word

Keeping the bike in a carport, shed, garage, or even inside the house will keep it safe and make it last longer.

If you can’t keep your electric bike inside, there are still other options to protect it from the elements. Outside storage should be the last option, as it puts not only the electrical components at risk but the functional parts of the e-bike as well.

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Sources

https://ebikes.ca/getting-started/ebikes-parts-explained.html