How to care for your (electric) bike in winter

Winter is approaching, so it's a good idea to recall some basic information on how to prepare a bike for winter or for longer storage periods in general.
Preparing an e-bike for winter is no different from preparing a regular bike. You don’t need to worry about the motor or even the display (which can be removed if needed). The most important part of the e-bike when it comes to "winter storage" is the battery. Since the battery can represent up to a third of the total e-bike price, it deserves special care. If you leave the battery on the bike in November and try to ride again in March, you might find the bike won’t start — and worse, that the battery is dead and the warranty won’t cover it. How to avoid that and how to prepare your bike for the next season is explained below.

The bike frame

Remove any heavy dirt and grime from the bike. Wash and degrease the bike. When cleaning an e-bike in particular, avoid water jets, such as pressure washers or hoses. A bucket of lukewarm water and a cloth is recommended to make sure no water gets into parts where it shouldn't. Moisture is not good for stored bikes, so make sure the bike is properly dried. Protect the frame and forks/shocks with a preservation spray during winter. These products, like frame protectant or fork silicone spray, not only preserve the bike but also make it easier to clean later thanks to the protective film. You can find cleaning and degreasing agents along with brushes here.

Components

Once the frame is taken care of, move on to the components. A chain wear tool will help you check the condition of your chain. If the tool fits easily or fully drops in, the worn-out chain should be replaced, or at least a replacement should be planned. It’s always a good idea to keep a spare chain on hand. If your chain is still in good condition, degrease it. You don’t have to take it off the bike — use a chain cleaning tool, which holds cleaning fluid while the brushes do the job. Both the cassette and the chainrings deserve a thorough cleaning and degreasing. Once done, wipe the chain with a clean cloth to remove any remaining cleaner and reapply chain lube. Also inspect your brake pads — new pads have a 3 mm thick layer including the backing plate. If yours are down to 3 mm in total, it’s time to replace them before they damage the disc. 

We recommend having a service done before winter so that everything is ready for the next season and you avoid the spring rush at service centers. 

Battery

The battery is the most expensive part of the whole e‑bike. Most e-bikes today use lithium-ion batteries. These are appreciated for their light weight and long lifespan. Lithium batteries discharge gradually during inactivity (typically 5–10% per month). To avoid shortening the battery’s life, follow a few basic storage and charging principles:

- Remove the battery from the e‑bike
- Store it at room temperature (15–20°C is ideal)
- Monitor its charge level — for long-term storage, keep it between 60–80%
- Recharge it at least once per month

Storage

Ideal storage conditions for a bike are a dry, dark place with a stable (not too low) temperature. Cold can negatively affect suspension oil, bearing grease, and even hydraulic disc brakes. A great option is to hang the bike by the frame or the front/rear wheel. Tubes lose air pressure over time, and standing on deflated tires for a long time can damage them.

Summary

As you can see, taking care of your bike before storing it for winter isn’t complicated. Just don’t forget that your e‑bike — especially the battery — needs attention even in winter.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help: info@koloshop24.com