The Best Tips for Storing An Electric Bike
Many people get to enjoy riding their e-bikes, whether it’s casually riding around the town or going for a more extreme ride through woods at top speeds. Or perhaps using an e-bike to get to work quickly.
Whatever the primary purpose of your electric bike is, finding a proper storage place for it – and preparing the bike for storage – is very important.
E-bikes, if not stored correctly, can endure some permanent damage. However, when I started keeping my e-bike with the correct solution for my situation, my bike maintained its pristine condition.
So, how can you properly store your electric bike?
As a general rule, electric bicycles are best stored in a dry and cool environment, away from weather changes or any moisture. Store your electric bike between 0 and 20 degrees Celsius. Store the battery of your e-bike separately from the bike itself. only with half a charge.
Now that we covered general guidelines for storing an e-bike, you might still wonder what storage method is best for your electric bike and its battery. Keep reading to find out!
How To Store An Electric Bike?
Just like most expensive gadgets, electric bikes should be stored away from the elements, in a cool and dry environment. The details for storing your bike can vary based on the climate in which you live, the type of your e-bike as well as its weight.
E-bikes can last very long if correctly maintained and stored. Electric bikes may only remain in their working condition for only couple of years if you neglect the basic rules of maintenance and storage.
Keeping your e-bike clean and safe while storing it will require some planning. Incorrectly storing your bike can damage the battery, the motor, or the frame over time. Damage to any of these components can cost quite a bit in repairs or replacements.
Some things to take into consideration before you store your electric bike for any amount of time:
- Weather exposure
- E-bike weight
- Cleanliness of the storage environment
- Battery level
Store Your Electric Bike Away From The Elements
Suppose you store your electric bike outside where it’s exposed to weather conditions. Rain and snow can cause the parts of your e-bike to rust or freeze, resulting in permanent damage. Rust is detrimental to an electric bike. once it rusts, your bike will never run the same way.
So, to ensure your electric bike lives a full life, you should keep it away from rainy and snowy weather.
Your E-Bike’s Weight Matters When Storing
Considering the bike’s weight is crucial if you’re looking to store your e-bike but aren’t sure how to do so. You most likely don’t want to hang your 70-pound e-bike on a ceiling mount in your garage over your car.
When it comes to solutions for storing your electric bike, you need to take into account the weight of your bike and the space available to you.
Do Not Store Your Electric Bike With A Full Battery
If you want to store your electric bike correctly, be sure not to hold it with a fully charged battery. Storing an e-bike with a 100% charged battery or while the battery charges can lead to battery depreciation over time.
If you want to ensure that your battery stays in its best condition for as long as possible, make sure you only store it charged to about 50%.
Store Your Electric Bike In A Clean Environment
Storing your e-bike in your backyard shed, where you do your carpentry projects, might not be the best idea. Dirt and debris can cause lasting damage to your electric bike. So you’ll want to ensure the environment is clean and not exposed to dirt and debris. Also, you’ll want to clean your bike before storing it away.
Storing An Electric Bike In A Garage
There are four ways to store your e-bike in your garage:
- On a floor rack
- With a waterproof cover
- On a wall mount
- With a ceiling pulley
The method you select will depend on how spacious your garage is and the conditions within your garage.
Floor Rack
There’s probably enough room to store your e-bike on the ground using a floor rack if you have a one-car garage. If you want to use a floor rack in your garage, make sure nothing obstructs your floor rack in the surrounding area, so you can come and go with your electric bike.
When long-term storing your e-bike in your garage using a floor rack, ensure nothing dangerous could fall onto your bike.
Waterproof Cover
If you work with wood or any materials that can cause an excess of debris, it’s in your best interest to get a cover for your e-bike to protect it from any particles that can enter its components. Other than that, a garage should keep your bike safe and dry from any inclement weather.
Hanging
If you have a two-car garage, you might want to hang your bike either utilizing a wall mount or a ceiling pulley. Sometimes, space in a two-car garage can get rather tight, especially if you park both cars inside. To save you some of that floor space, you should consider keeping your e-bike off the floor.
If your e-bike is between 60 and 100 pounds, it’s probably best to use a ceiling pulley, as long as it doesn’t hang over your car. You should also take the type of garage you have into consideration. For instance, if you have a tilt-up retractable garage, there’s a chance you won’t have enough space on the ceiling for your electric bicycle.
If you can’t hang your bike from the ceiling, a wall mount is a great choice, too. You’ll want to ensure that you can still move about the garage with your e-bike mounted, as it’ll protrude around four feet from the wall.
Storing An Electric Bike In An Apartment
There are a few ways to store your electric bike in your apartment:
The way you choose will be based on how much space you have, how long you plan to live in your apartment, and the renter’s agreement you signed before moving in.
Storing An E-Bike On A Balcony
You can definitely store your electric bicycle on your balcony. You will want to cover your e-bike with a waterproof cover or park it in a bike tent.
Storing An E-Bike On The Apartment’s Floor
You can store your bike on your apartment’s floor in an upright position. However, you should put a covering over it, preferably a waterproof one just to be safe. Still, even an old sheet should be able to keep dust and dirt from getting into the e-bike’s mechanisms.
Storing An E-Bike In An Apartment Using A Wall Mount
It’s safe to use a wall mount to store your electric bike in your apartment, as long as your apartment and electric e-bike are suited for a wall mount. Consider the weight of your bike and its tire width before you install a wall mount in your apartment.
Furthermore, don’t use a wall mount in your apartment to store your e-bike, if the bike’s weight is over 65 pounds. Also, don’t use a wall mount if your renter’s agreement prohibits you to drill holes into the apartment walls.
What are E-bike Batteries Made of?
A great percentage of the modern electric bikes come with a Lithium-ion battery, and this is what we will be referencing throughout the guide. Li-ion batteries have high energy density and come in a variety of chemistries, including Lithium Manganese Cobalt, Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum, Lithium Nickel Cobalt Manganese, and Lithium Polymer.
Battery Cells
Inside the e-bike battery, you will find several smaller battery cells that are typically in the 18650 format. These cells are a little bit larger than an AA battery and carry a charge of 1.5V, while the capacity ranges from 3200-3500mAh.
The smaller cells are arranged in either series or parallel and together form a larger e-bike battery. Mostly, the number of cells in each battery, as well as their arrangement, will vary depending on the capacity (usually 400Wh-1000Wh) and voltage (usually 36V, 48V, 72V).
The Bosch power pack for example contains between 40 and 50 individual cells.
credit to YouTube channel The Battery Doctor
CAUTION Homemade e-bike project can be dangerous. Be very careful when you build your own e-bike pack.
Caring for an E-bike Battery
Most electric bikes are powered by either a 48V or 36V drive system. You always want to ensure you have the right type of charger for your specific e-bike battery and that it works fine. If you bought your e-bike from an online retailer, then greater caution needs to be taken as some of these batteries end up sitting in warehouses and shipping containers for an extended period without getting the proper care.
Before taking the bike for a ride, plug the battery into the charger and charge it to full capacity. You’ll know it is full when the LED light turns from red to green. After a full charge, you can take your e-bike for a test ride to ensure there’s no unexpected voltage sag.
Ideal Charging Conditions for an E-bike Battery
The ideal charging conditions for an electric bike battery involve slow charging and cool temperatures. Manufacturers normally suggest charging the battery at a temperature between 5 and 45 degrees Celsius (41-113 °F). You shouldn’t charge your lithium battery in low-temperature conditions.
Similarly, batteries should not be charged at temperatures higher than 45 degrees Celsius, and most battery chargers won’t even function in temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius.
Ideal Discharging Conditions for an E-bike Battery
When it comes to discharging your battery, the recommended temperature is around room temperature 20 degrees Celsius (68 °F) or slightly lower than this. The scientific explanation behind the ideal temperature conditions is that warmer temperatures tend to have a positive effect on the battery capacity.
This means you can get more range from the battery if everything remains the same, except for the temperature. Although the capacity of the battery increases, warmer temperatures will also reduce the shelf life of your battery if left exposed for too long.
Another aspect to note is that the battery capacity is greatly reduced once temperatures begin to edge closer to or below 0 degrees Celsius. However, this condition is only temporary, and the capacity will be restored once the battery temperature returns to its normal range.
What are all the ways you can store an ebike?
This is what most people will do, be it in a garage, shed or outside the pub. It’s fine for short term storage (a few hours or even days) but if you have more than one ebike they are heavy and cumbersome to move to get to the each one. They are also likely to get banged and scratched and may even fall over resulting in some major damage and problems.
– can you store an ebike on a floor rack
A floor rack (like a giant toaster) isn’t a bad idea as it saves you lifting it. However, because the wheels are held in a fixed-width slot, if the wheel is fat (like an MTB wheel) it may not fit in the slot. If the wheel is too narrow the bike will want to fall over. Some ebikes also have large brake rotors and these sometimes catch on the sides of the wheel slots.
– can you store an ebike on a pulley system in the roof
Don’t even think about this option. Ebikes weigh anywhere between 20 and 35 kg so pulling it up into the air will be a real effort. You also need to be sure that the roof structure and the way the pulley system fixes to the beams is up to the job. If it’s above a car (or you) and it falls down the results can be disastrous.
– can you store an ebike off-the-floor on a hook
Lifting an ebike onto a hook mounted high on the wall, with the back wheel off the floor, is possible but ebikes are very heavy. You need to be careful that you don’t hurt your back when lifting the bike and while trying to hook the front wheel. You also need to be 100% confident that the hook itself is up to the job and that you have fixed it to the wall properly, otherwise it could come crashing down.
A better solution for heavy ebikes (or any heavy bike like a downhill bike) is described below.
– can you store an ebike vertically (but not hanging)
You can store an ebike so that it is held vertically against a wall but it is not hanging. To do this the rear wheel stays on the ground at all times (so you never lift the bike) and it is prevented from falling over backwards by a hook in the wall. Standard hooks are unlikely to be suitable for this but the GearHooks B1 bike hook is designed to allow the front wheel to be hooked without ‘hanging’ the bike. It also fits via one very heavy duty fixing to make sure it holds the bike against the wall.
How to store an ebike on a wall hook without lifting:
This will only work with some bikes hooks (like the GearHooks B1 and all the Gearhooks wall mounted racks for 3 or more bikes) where the hook is angled and will easily fit between the spokes.
Is it OK to hang an ebike by the wheel?
Hanging any bike by the front wheel is fine. However, because ebikes are so heavy they are hard to lift so we recommend storing it vertically with the rear wheel on the ground, as described above. It will not damage the wheel or any other part of the bike. It’s actually better to store bikes with front suspension forks like this as it keeps the seals lubricated and stops them drying out. Hydraulic brakes, that have air in the system, may be spongy after storing vertically but this can be solved by pulling the levers a few times or by bleeding the brakes (a better solution).
You can store an ebike in a garage flat on the floor or vertically on the wall with the rear wheel still on the ground. Storing the ebike(s) vertically will save floor space and make the ebikes easier to get out and put away.
A single ebike can be mounted on a single bike wall mount like the GearHooks B1. If you have a couple or several several bikes then 3 or more ebikes can be mounted on a wall bike rack. Both of these can be mounted so that the rear wheels do not leave the ground and the ebikes do not have to be lifted at all.
In order for the back wheels to be on the ground the hook (or rail, if it’s a wall rack) should be mounted at the point the front wheel of the ebike touches the wall. The ebike hook(s) need to be angled and easily fit between the spokes.
Fixing things to a garage wall is a relatively simple process. Here are some steps to follow:
Choose the right location: Before you start fixing anything to your garage wall, make sure you choose the right location. Bear in mind the height you need to fix a hook or rack (typically around 1700mm) and the width of the handle bars. This may mean you need up to 800mm width per bike. With our hooks you can angle the front wheel and handlebars to avoid them catching.
Consider the weight of the item you want to fix to the wall, and ensure the wall is strong enough to support it. If in doubt, consult a professional. The fixings we supply are suitable for any solid wall (brick/block/concrete) or wooden wall (battens in a shed or behind plasterboard).
Choose the right tools: You will need a tape measure, spirit level (for racks), an electric drill, 8mm or 5mm drill bits, hammer and vacuum cleaner. We supply heavy duty wall fixings and wall plugs for hooks and wall racks.
Mark the location: Once you have chosen the right location, mark the location where you want to fix your item. Use a pencil to mark the position of the holes you will be drilling. You need to drill 1 hole for a single hook and 3 holes for a 1 meter long rail for up to 5 bikes.
Drill the holes: Use a drill bit that matches the size of your wall plug to drill the holes in the wall. Make sure the holes are deep enough for the wall plug and bolt.
Insert wall plugs: hammer the wall plugs into the holes. Make sure they are flush with the wall.
Fix the item to the wall: Hold the item against the wall and insert the screws through the item and into the wall plugs. Tighten the screws with the Allen key we supply (not a power tool).
Check the item is secure: Once you have fixed the item to the wall, check that it is secure and won’t come loose.
These steps can be used for fixing a variety of items to a garage wall, such as shelving, tool racks, or bike mounts. It’s important to choose the right location and ensure that the wall is strong enough to support the weight of the item you want to fix.
Can you store an ebike in a shed?
An ebike can be stored in a shed providing it is dry and you follow some simple steps to keep the battery in tip-top condition. During cold weather the battery should be removed from the bike and stored at 60-70% capacity somewhere warm.
Fixing a hooks or wall mounted rack for ebikes in a shed is similar to mounting in a garage except you will be drilling and mounting to a wooden frame.
Single bike hooks can be mounted to the vertical uprights that make up the shed structure. Bike racks should be mounted to 2”x2” battens fixed horizontally between the uprights.
Care should be taken to make sure holes and mounting screws do not puncture the outside walls of the shed.
Fixing things to a wooden shed wall is similar to fixing things to a garage wall. Here are some steps to follow:
Choose the right location: Before you start fixing anything to your wooden shed wall, make sure you choose the right location. Consider the weight of the item you want to fix to the wall, and ensure the wall is strong enough to support it.
Choose the right tools: You will need a tape measure, spirit level (for racks), an electric drill, 8mm or 5mm drill bits, hammer and vacuum cleaner. We supply heavy duty wall fixings for hooks and wall racks.
Mark the location: Once you have chosen the right location, mark the location where you want to fix your item. Use a pencil to mark the position of the holes you will be drilling.
Drill the holes: Use a drill bit that matches the size of your screw to drill the holes in the wall. Make sure the holes are deep enough to hold the screws, but do not drill through the shed wall!!
Fix the item to the wall: Hold the item against the wall and insert the screws through the item and into the wall. Tighten the screws with the supplied Allen key.
Check the item is secure: Once you have fixed the item to the wall, check that it is secure and won’t come loose.
These steps can be used for fixing a variety of items to a wooden shed wall, such as tool racks, shelves, or hooks. It’s important to choose the right location and ensure that the wall is strong enough to support the weight of the item you want to fix. If you are unsure about the strength of the wall or the weight of the item, consult a professional.
What Is The Best Way To Store An Electric Bike?
When you buy and use an e-bike, there is an inevitable responsibility to maintain and store the e-bike according to certain standards in order to ensure proper and safe usage.
What is the best way to store an e-bike? E-bike is best stored in a cool, dry place, away from high humidity and frequent changes of temperature. Store e-bike battery partially charged. Store it separately from the e-bike. The ideal temperature for storage is between 0 and 20C (32 to 68F).
If you are planning not to use your e-bike for an extended period of time, it is even more important to make sure you still take care of your e-bike and its battery before and throughout its storage period. While you may be able to leave a traditional bicycle in your garage for months on end, e-bikes require more frequent maintenance.
As well, e-bikes operate best when they are used frequently, so try not to abandon it in storage for too long. Have no fear, though: if you follow the appropriate steps, you’ll soon realize that storing and maintaining your e-bike is not a difficult thing to do.
This article will outline what you need to know in order to best store your e-bike safely and optimally!
What to consider before storing your e-bike
Before preparing your e-bike for storage, there are three main factors to consider and understand: proper cleaning, charging, and battery care. The reason these factors need to be taken into account is that they play a large role in the short and long-term safety and functionality of your e-bike.
Get to know your battery
First, get to know your e-bike’s battery. There are a few different types of batteries used for e-bikes, but the most popular are either lead or lithium-based.
Lead Acid batteries are considered to be the ones that need to be tended to most frequently, and should not be stored at high temperatures as this can quickly decrease their battery life. It is recommended that they are charged at least every three months. It is recommended to store these batteries in a cool, dry place. They can also be refrigerated.
Lithium batteries come in a few different assortments, including Lithium Manganese, Lithium-Ion, and Lithium Iron Phosphate. Lithium batteries need to be charged at least every six months. And, similar to Lead Acid batteries, they should be stored in a cool and dry place.
While lithium batteries are considered to be a fire risk, the chances are extremely low if you follow proper protocol and ensure that your battery is not being stored or charged close to fire hazards; nonetheless, you should still be aware of potential risks.
Easy Tip: It should be noted that a “cool and dry climate” is emphasized time and time again as being the optimal climate for storing batteries.
You preferably should choose an area that doesn’t face major temperature fluctuations. A climate that endures extreme temperature change (such as an outdoor shed) is not favorable because this can lead to condensation, which can cause damage to your battery.
Charge the battery
Next, make sure you charge your battery according to the instruction manual that has accompanied your e-bike. Not charging your battery properly can lead to deterioration and potentially a dead battery.
And batteries can be expensive to replace. Later in this article, we will further outline the optimal charge and exact temperature range are required for battery storage.
While using your e-bike, you should not let your battery discharge below the recommended cut-off voltage. When you plug in a charger to a battery that is below cut-off voltage, the charger often will not detect it and will not recharge the battery.
Clean your e-bike
Once you have maintained and properly looked after charging your battery, it is important to clean your e-bike, particularly if you are planning to store it for an extended period of time.
A buildup of dirt, water, salt, and mud could be natural if you use your e-bike often. So, prior to storing it, you want to be sure that you eliminate any chance of corrosion or damage to your e-bike parts by cleaning it regularly.
How to prepare your e-bike for storage
Now that you know why it’s so important to properly maintain your e-bike before and during storage, we will move on to how to accomplish the steps you need to take to do so.
Store e-bike battery separately
First of all, you should not leave your battery on your e-bike while you are storing it. This is because changing temperatures and climates, particularly those that involve the possibility of condensation buildup, can corrode battery contacts.
It is advised that you remove the battery from your e-bike when you are preparing it for storage. Using a “thin layer” of terminal grease on your battery helps protect the battery contacts from corrosion.
Store e-bike battery 30-80% charged
Next, it is recommended to not store your battery either fully charged or fully discharged (eg. either at 100 percent or 0 percent). It is recommended to charge your battery between the range of 30 and 80 percent for storage. Having your battery be partially charged for storage is best because it will help retain the battery’s capacity for a longer time.
Here is the science behind how temperature affects batteries. In this particular case about lithium batteries: “The lithium powder inside the battery cells decreases its electrical resistance as it warms up. This means that in warmer conditions your battery will discharge more quickly and will need charging more often. A lithium battery is best stored in cold conditions where its internal resistance is greatest and will remain fully charged for longer.”
Easy Tip: While you should be storing your batteries in cool and dry climates, the battery should be warmed to room temperature before you charge it. Charging an e-bike battery from a cold state can cause potential damage.
You should not leave your battery charging for the entirety of your storage time, because though this will not affect its life, you may increase the risk of electrical fires. It is a good idea to invest in a wall-plug timer (see on Amazon), which will automatically turn the main current off after a certain amount of time. This will help make the process that much easier for you!
Store e-bike battery at 0-20C
It is also recommended that your battery should be stored between the temperatures of 0 and 20 degrees Celsius (32 – 68 Fahrenheit). And the ideal temperature is somewhere in the middle around 10 degrees Celsius (50 Fahrenheit). This will ensure that your battery will last longer.
Easy Tip: The most important factor to remember is that your battery should not be stored below freezing temperatures.
Clean your e-bike before storing it
When it comes to cleaning your e-bike before storage, there are a few basic steps you can take. All you need are a few washcloths, some water, bicycle oil and lubricant, and dishwashing soap.
The main components of your e-bike that you should be cleaning, are the frame, chain, cassette, and gears. Use bicycle lubricant on your chain to ensure that rust does not form on your e-bike.
You should not use pressure water on your e-bike, as it can cause potential damage. After your chain and cassette are thoroughly dry, be sure to apply some lubricant to both.
Once your basic cleaning is done and if you are mechanically savvy, you can take your e-bike pieces apart for a more thorough cleaning. However, there is also the option to go to your local e-bike shop for further cleaning before you store it.
If you are storing your e-bike outdoors or in a non-temperature regulated basement, be wary of the moisture and condensation in the air, as they can cause rust. If you are not able to store your e-bike anywhere else, be sure to check in on the conditions of your e-bike frequently throughout your storage period.
Important tips to remember
Ultimately, the steps you need to take to maintain your e-bike and battery while storing it are simple. When in doubt, remember a few main things.
First, always consult the instructions and/or manuals that accompany your e-bike and e-bike battery. Manuals list important information and protocol regarding the specific make and battery type of your e-bike.
For batteries like lithium-based batteries that have a small risk potential of fire, precautionary measures can be taken such as installing a smoke detector over the area where you charge your battery and buying a fire extinguisher, placing it in the appropriate vicinity to where you are charging.
Make sure not to charge batteries close to flammable objects – even having it too close to your car can be a potential risk.
Lastly, do not use any other charger other than the one that was supplied to you with your specific bike and/or battery. Follow proper cleaning instructions for your e-bike to ensure that it stays optimally functional, and check in on your e-bike often to maintain it.
There is no need to be intimidated by maintaining your e-bike for storage. So long as you exercise the necessary cautions, it is incredibly easy to properly care for and store your e-bike!
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