Is Your EMTB Slower In The Winter!?

Does the colder weather really affect your EMTB speed? Can the cold temps damage your bike? Will chilly weather make your climbing harder? Join Steve jones to find out!
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[@embn]

Do you go out riding when it's freezing cold? Let us know down below! 👇

[@Tobias611]

I commute to work on my ebike, so yes! Definitely not out on recreational rides during the -10°C that we currently have though, no glove is thick enough to keep my hands from freezing at those temperatures, lol.

[@jamesfoster7310]

i commute 17 miles each way and since the cold weather hit I have had a lot less power left when I get back home again and the power output feels lower as well meaning that I dont get the usual speeds I am useed to - this is using a 500Whr battery

[@jamesfoster7310]

@@Tobias611 I have sworn by Aldi winter cycling gloves for years. Best I have found for the price. Hope it warms up for you.

[@janedman]

yeas i am temps between 10-18 minus celsius and i dont loose any special power in battery,Warm clothes and glasses its ok pendeling to work in middle sweden

[@vashon100]

Yes, but I have the wherewithal to put on gloves.

[@PaulGPixelBike]

I have an external 504wt Shimano battery and it just dies slow death in anything lower than +10. It has ~40% of range in cold weather. I made a custom cover from an old jacket, it helps but only about +20% range. And if I make a more than 15-25 min stop, than the battery cools down and can just shut off completely in a matter of minutes. To sum it up, ~75km of range in summer, ~45-50 km of range in winter in Eco mode.

[@shooterchef]

I've been riding at temperatures around minus 20 degrees celsius the last two weeks and the battery drain faster the colder it gets. But keeping the battery inside makes the most difference. Even on longer bikerides a warm battery lasts longer than if I leave the battery outside on the bikes. I'll go for rides on most days but when temperatures drop below minus 25 /27 degrees celsius I'll give the bikes the day off 🥶 Unlike on a snowmobile where the driver is partially protected from the cold with wind shield and the engine covers the lower body and legs on a bike you are so exposed to the cold that there just isn't clothing that will keep you warm for a longer period of time. I've tried biking in minus 32 degrees celsius and that was just cold, cold and more cold 🥶 🙃 You can pedal like it's 1955 and sweating like a dog but your arms, hands, face , legs and feet will be frozen solid 🚴‍♀️🚵‍♀️

[@ilmarimujunen9180]

I got to agree with many points you made. In real cold, for me starting at around -15C, you got to take extra measures. Gloves need to be great, and barmittens that cover handlebars can make huge difference. Ski jacket with a large hood intented to go ovet helmet is somethin I really like. Something I have no fix for is shocks and suspensions getting so stiff they become eventually dead weight. Worst I cycle in is usually about -20 and worst I've ever done was at -25 (not ebike).

[@billderas3420]

Living in Reno, Nevada, I typically ride my Specialized Levo SL year round. Yes, I easily feel the drop in power from my SL when temps are under 40F. Have not tried to ride at 32F (0C) freezing because roads and trails are usually icy and iffy.

[@lozetchells9164]

Out in the snow Friday, the slush yesterday and the ice today. Bless those ice spikers. Great fun, great practice too. If you can keep it together in those conditions, summer will be a doddle.

[@MatthewsBrother]

Yes battery range is slightly less in cold weather but if the ground is frozen your rolling resistance is much less. Yesterday I did a ride in -4c and found I used less battery than the last time I rode the same route in warmer muddier conditions.

[@Ndc710]

I really notice a difference, in the cold weather my knees don’t work half as well as in warm weather😂

[@harveycasey1900]

As a 51-year-old, I agree.

[@randomstuff1618]

Me to but I keep mine in the warmth so that would have an impy

[@Magoo71]

Foe me, it got to be at least in the 50's....any less and when going downhill the Wind Chill gets to be too much....-2 to ZERO....you guys are nuts!

[@markusilomaki8922]

Have been riding plenty in -20 to -30 celcius and it is no problem for eMTB. But yes why would you want to start with a cold battery when all you need is just to bring your battery inside for the night and drop it in at the start of the ride. One thing that was not covered in the video is the fact that once you start riding and using the bike the battery starts to generate heat. This means that even though the weather might be cold the battery keeps itself warm under load. But yes, in very cold temperatures you do not want to start with a cold battery.

[@airingcupboard]

I've been cycling at -17 and the battery does drain faster, but I think this is partly due to the extra drag from the ice spikes and the snow. I also tend to run it in MTB mode. As mentioned, I store the bike in my apartment and in a building to pre-warm the battery.

[@leachy3568]

I ride in cold. Even planning a winter ride at Dalby. But I keep my battery in the house. Stored around 60% for longer periods between rides. Love your vids Steve! 👍🏼

[@embn]

Thanks for sharing! Enjoy Dalby!

[@p-jronkainen368]

Many time battery runs 1-2 levels faster. - 15°C - 21. I put cut the shape car mask cover (XPE cellular plastic) always, attach to downtube firmly with sea to summit accessory straps. One winter bike was out in shelter, but i recognised this season, bike feels much realiable when keep it inside the house and then go..

[@paulbroadbent5872]

Been out today in deep snow.swerving all over in EMTB ,dropped it down to TOUR and it was easier to keep straight.

[@ericb.4358]

My 2 wheel drive, 2 battery cargo EMTB (400 pound load limit) has a large 20 Ah down tube battery and a medium size 15 Ah rear rack battery.

[@dannyaspera2269]

I have the 2019 levo with over 5k miles on it and we rode in 12 degree weather last night and didn’t have any problems except for cold hands , so I put on some latex gloves under my winter specialized gloves and that solved that little problem…RIDEON✊🏽!

[@RPercheiro]

Thanks for the tip :)

[@dannyaspera2269]

12 degrees Fahrenheit is cold , but there’s always got to be a badass out there👎🏽

[@chrisrussell418]

I keep my Orbea Rise in garage where temp would drop to 4°c if it were not for the oil filled radiator I put on to get temp up to 14°c before using the bike and before charging. This does make a difference as the battery charges better and performs better.

[@mmaaddict78]

My 625 Wh Bosch has the same power in the cold, but I have noticed a bit of decreased range. I’ve had a few 32 degrees F rides this year.

[@tdome3000]

Bosch Powerpack 500 here. Cannot feel any power loss at -5° here compared to summer. Where I do feel a significant drop in performance is when the battery gets below 40%. I keep my bike inside, at home.

[@crunchycrispybacon]

That would explain why I saw a bunch of stranded teslas at the mountains a few days ago

[@danbaker8254]

Battery life with temperature definitely. Power not sure yet... About to test a neoprene cover and see the difference. Love the show.. merry Christmas to you all. 👊

[@embn]

Good luck with the tests! Merry Christmas to you too Dan

[@zvebiNmob1zer666_]

Thx for your channel, i am from Germany and speak not so Good englisch, bud i underdtand your so Good … greetings from Germany Saarland/Saarbrücken ✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾

[@embn]

Thanks for watching Svebin!

[@pgshobbies6819]

I run a gardening business and we use battery hedge trimmers , Strimmers etc etc and the cold makes a huge difference with battery run times.

[@stevejones7956]

I do miss my old Sthil petrol hedge cutter!! Hey that's interesting to know, nice one PGS

[@SimonBauer7]

i ususally just run full on turbo when it is winter. heats the battery more.

[@johnmofBristol3623]

I think a range comparison would make a useful video. I have previously noticed that topping the battery up for half an hour before I go for a ride regardless of outside air temperature seems to give more distance until the first bar goes out. It maybe that what I am really doing is warming the battery?

[@cg1983]

I ride my SC Heckler (E8000) as a Fatbike (26 in wheels and 3,8 tires) during the winter here in Canada… -15 Celsius some days and I can’t turn off the display. Or it won’t open back after five minutes because I’m it’s freezing. And of course I see a drop off power at -15 Celsius

[@bonnylad100]

Great vid, thanks!

[@stevejones7956]

Cheers Arnold that's very kind

[@jasonridyardhome]

I’m noticing that the battery range has dropped too Possibly around 30%

[@carstenreeder8634]

As others said. On my Bosch I notice no lack of strength but I loose some range in the cold.

[@tonyatkins3370]

Merry Christmas team, I will look forward to next years episodes..

[@embn]

Merry Christmas Tony! Thanks for watching

[@JeepingNet]

So far with my Norco Bigfoot VLT 900Wh I haven't noticed performance issues in the cold as much as I was actually expecting. I do keep the bike in my garage which stays above zero but in transport to the trail its spending 20-45 minutes in the back of the truck. My Giant Stance E+ 500Wh I think I do notice some hit. I bought a neoprene wrap for the frame but honestly I haven't gotten back out to test it since I'm loving the Bigfoot so much. Poor Giant I think is going to get to go into hibernation.

[@worldstallestmidget]

I have noticed that my battery doesn’t last as long as spring summmer or early fall When it’s cold I take my battery out and put it in my truck on the way to the trails!

[@erichbachman7363]

4:40 As a norwegian..., I just had to change my car battery because it died in minus 17 celsius (^;

[@islandaerial3414]

My eMTB is a little older now and, probably 500 cycles in. This year I have noticed a 10% drop in mileage since it got colder

[@steves365]

I have a cover for over the frame where the battery is. See aliexpress. Works fine. Same battery range as in summer.

[@embn]

Great Idea Steve!

[@CopperCityPatriot]

The Wife, has been riding her eMTB, through three Winters, with only one replacement battery. Temperatures below twenty degrees Fahrenheit. The battery(a Simplo for the PW-X3 motor, gets a 70% charge. That's enough for her eight-mile round-trip to & from work. Never fully charge a Li-Ion battery for cold weather use. And Never charge the battery when it is cold or hot. That does more damage than the outside elements. Most important: plug-up those internal cable holes with some silicon gel as well as 9ventilation) area of the motor. Ya don't need those vents in cold weather. And once at work or your destination, remove the battery and take inside. As for loss of power, she hasn't noticed any loss so far in 2023, and it's been a rather mild Winter.

[@5492sparky]

Interesting comparison Steve. On my 2019 Levo Comp I definitely find that the battery drains quicker (500wh). Not sure if I notice a loss of power until I get down to the last couple of bars on the display. Great vid though and thanks to yourself, Chris and all the team there for a year of excellent content. Merry Christmas all. 👍

[@embn]

Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas 🎄

[@davidfletcher6836]

As it’s the same battery type as power tools they definitely don’t work as well in the cold and won’t last as long either.

[@RCTurbo79]

Yeah was about to say the same thing,keep 'em at room temp before riding is a good rule of thumb 👍

[@richardpreece4974]

Yep my trek powerfly 9.7 feels like it's got no guts on cold rides

[@crappieworldlivescanner1114]

Yes mine is definitely different even the way the battery last is different

[@marcok6034]

How do you have the Greyp Battery activate ?

[@mamadjun]

I always, as it turns out wrongly, assumed that only the range was affected by the cold weather and not the power. Now I know better. A very useful and educational video. Thanks for posting. However, not very impressed by you riding a bike in snow and ice whilst holding onto your mobile phone. You know better than to do such a dangerous thing.

[@tommontgomery2674]

I don't ride my YT Decoy in freezing weather so it doesn't affect me..I did convert a fat bike to a Bafang mid-drive and I would like to try that in the rare snow we get here...However, I do have a Fiat500E electric car and there is significant difference in battery Range in freezing weather. I can't say if the performance is affected much though.

[@AmvC]

4:23 wrong type of car 😂 Subaru will hopefully produce an eWRX soon.

[@danny.i4058]

It's not that the cold draws more from the battery (which it does), but you use more under load from a lower power battery than higher power battery over a section. All power cells will work less economically in non specified environments (set to a range that the companies cover over a range of environments) , cold being the extreme to a certain degree. I'm sure if the temperature racked up the cooling on a higher ampage battery with a high current drawing motor will suffer, the issue with that theory is it will be factored into the design, hence the cold outcome of this video. IOW the design is for the normal conditions of usage over the minimal. Sorry about the rant.

[@thewrx2600]

did the app for these bikes show actual battery temp measured by the ecu, like the spesh app does?

[@johnreese3762]

Great info! Thanks Steve and Ray! Your Canyon is a beauty!

[@rjahn3000]

How about storage, can you leave the battery in your garage at 20 degrees or will it damage it?

[@john_enx]

When batteries discharge they get hot, I believe the main problem with cold is the capacity, charging and if they start at all.

[@vashon100]

Exactly. Seems dumb to not include range test.

[@Mrianmarshall]

Does using the bike on a very cold day shorten the overall battery life.

[@SweetChillieBeat]

-39 here in northern bc. I'm not biking lol

[@1brokenspoke189]

Rumour has it that Ray has a prototype in his shed that has a 3000ah battery that weighs less than a dozen mince pies and has enough range for a pub crawl with Steve , All top secret though .

[@mr.sandman4172]

lolololol

[@JBMADNESS]

how about testing a insulation wrap seen on the internet for results?

[@thelocalangler]

hello EMBN i have a situation and was wondering if you could shed some advice. we were doing alot of riding near the fall and when i got back i charged my 500w and 700w batteries fully anticipating more riding, but low and behold winter came very early and i understand that the fully charged batteries will affect the life span of the batteries when stored at full charge, so i was wondering is there any other way to discharge some of the battery or is the only way is to brave the -27 snow and ice and go ride till its below 80%? its been two full months at full charge on both batteries.

[@vashon100]

Should have included a range assessment in cold. Theoretically 20% reduction.

[@saracen6191]

Does a battery warm up as it discharges its power?

[@SonnyDarvish]

what was your own average watts?

[@CALLUMJACKSON-hm7hp]

in the winter i use my scott spark keep fit people

[@esurfer89]

It will work but draining your battery when it's really cold just hurts the battery

[@marcs4091]

Ebike is put away, not coming out until the second week of April.

[@embn]

The first week of April not tempting enough for you Marc?

[@callumhaynes1384]

Riding in the snow is awesome, rare in England, but motor in boost shreads through the snow, loads of fun

[@123gikke]

Here in Norway we go riding in temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius. No problem.

[@Lee-ic2yn]

Sounds like torture 😆

[@7654321asdq]

@@Lee-ic2yn You get warm as you pedal, could say the bike has heating

[@mikebirkett010]

Hell yea, out tomorrow 25miles through the New Forest (two pubs and mince pies). No surprises with the batteries, it's chemistry guys, LiOn is not the future of electric traction. Just a mere blip on the roadmap. Happy Christmas 🎄🎅

[@stevejones7956]

Happy Christmas Mike

[@moozeex1]

For those who are riding in the cold. Do you have ON button failure on the shimano EP8 and E8000 systems???For what people say in the forum ther's a small rechargable battery inside an ON/OF switch witch degrades over time and doesnt allow bike to turn ON in cold weather.FIX YOUR SHIT SHIMANO

[@Tefloncoated]

Mine is definitely slower cause it’s tucked up in the garage until spring

[@markcosens1]

My bike won't be leaving the comfort of the lounge until at least march!

[@embn]

Hibernation!

[@sussexperformance185]

Real question is will running your ebike in - degree weather wreck your cells ?

[@plokmko0]

MORE RAY !!!

[@markusilomaki8922]

Industry don't want Ray, they have some secrets 😀

[@stevejones7956]

@@markusilomaki8922 Haha!

[@deepdiver49]

If cold affects battery performance, how much does the heat affect battery performance as well? Maybe Steve could test that in Wales next week. 😂

[@Coover90210]

What if the battery completely dies and you have to ...pedal?!? THE HORROR!!

[@JKL246]

I can’t blame it on the bike. I go slow pretty much all the time anymore.

[@paulc8801]

The Cold weather also brings out Mr angry 🥶

[@stevowyeth]

Some say Ray wrestles lions with his bare hands.

[@embn]

Wait til you hear about what he gets up to after lunch!

[@falksturmfels2737]

Jones with gloves. It happened. We finally saw it.

[@embn]

For those exceptionally cold days in hell!

[@vashon100]

Only after he first froze his fingers doing without.

[@bladerr900]

Your country is ridiculous I will stick to Aust and decent winter temps of 12/18c That white stuff looks miserable Marry Christmas from sunny Sydney it’s a cool 23c today 👍🇦🇺👍 Look forward to your video in 2023

[@vashon100]

Merry vs Marry

[@snigs5T5]

Nah, that's just the Euro EMTB speed limit 🤣

[@jevgeniardassov]

You did not account for your own input…