I think those tips you offer are great! The only thing is that my experience is different as regards tip # 8; whether to choose a long jacket or a short jacket. I have found that a long jacket tends to get caught on the back of the saddle; so now for riding, I would choose only a waist level jacket.
1) Tires are the key! My stock ones would be sliding all over the place even going 10km/h... I switched them out for motocross tires designed for off-roading. The sizing is different but once you get the conversion you're good. Now I can throttle or break on pure ice without slipping much if at all. And if I do slip it usually catches on the sides. There's snow chains and studs as well. 3) I don't use a helmet but I'd say a ski helmet would be ideal if you wanna be warm.. A warm balaclava goes a long way too. My head and face is warm in -40c. Plenty of them cover your neck too. Make sure to tuck the neck cover into your jacket. 5) I haven't used bar mits cause I feel like they'd get stolen fast, but heated gloves are SO GOOD! Don't cheap out though, I got 5V ones last year and I'd still get kinda cold in -20c but the new 7.4V gloves keep me toasty in -40c, maybe just slightly cold thumbs. 6) Heated long johns are amazing. Again, toasty in -40c. I've got a heated undershirt that does basically the same thing. 10) I've seen some cool LED lights with different programmable designs you can put in your wheels for cheap. I gotta get a better headlight though. Rad's are lacking. 12) I just spray my bike with some kinda oil to keep it from rusting like crazy over the winter. But she definitely looks rough after a couple Alberta winters, lol. Thank you for the tips buddy! Hope I could add something useful.
Thanks for the video Ryan! Do I ride in the winter? Definitely! I was one of those crazy kids who kept riding until the snow got too deep. No much has changed, lol. I stopped snow riding for a while because I didn't have a suitable bike, and I certainly didn't want my marathon bike getting wet. That all changed with the RadMini. I made a mistake on my very first electric snow ride, assuming that a shiny parking lot was just wet. Nope! It was black ice and I went down hard. But I got back up and started practicing. Ice is no problem now. For clothing on the lower half, I wear thermal underclothes, thick regular pants, thick socks, and water resistant shoes. For the upper body it's a thermal undershirt, regular long sleeve shirt, fleece pullover with hood, then a Venustas electric vest that zips up to protect my neck, and finally a good windbreaker with a mesh liner. For the helmet, I use a Yema open face motorcycle helmet with a full face shield and retractable sun visor. It's like being indoors, and I solved the fogging issue with a pinless anti-fog shield that acts like a double pane window. The only thing cold after that was my chin, so I wear a regular face mask and pull it down so it only covers my chin, then pull it up to the proper position if I need to open my face shield to talk to anyone. And lastly, I use heated gloves which work ok, but my cold thumbs wish I had bought some more expensive ones! The bike itself has been great, though I wish the tires were "knobbier" as you say. I had four or five times where the back wheel spun, and had to be careful going up slushy hills. Today I rode 16 miles, and only 5% of that was on clear pavement. The rest was snow, slush, and ice, and when I had the open road to myself with no intersections, I did cruise at 20mph. Slush and water normally don't bother this bike, but I did notice wetness in the battery connectors when I removed the battery. I ordered some silicone caps, and will probably ride with just my second battery safe and warm in the rear rack bag. I keep my bike in the house, but when it's messy, I take it to the back patio to rinse off. 10 minutes of drip dry, then I bring it in for a towel dry. Don't forget to clean and lube your drivetrain!
The retractibility feature of that helmet is nice. Unfortunately, the Bell helmet doesn't have that. I haven't tried heated gloves but that is also a good idea. Check out those Mongoose tires I linked to in the article. Haven't tried them myself but they seem like a good option for winter conditions. And yes, cleaning and lubing the drivetrain is a must!
@@EbikeEscape - Thanks for the tip about the tires, I'll have to give them a try. I also plan on experimenting with lower tire pressures today, as all the paths are covered in re-frozen slush.
Thanks for the great tips! I ride in the winter here in MN, got a Radmini about a month ago. The only thing I wonder about is the amount of slush that builds up on the controller. I have fenders, I need a front fender skirt or flap to cut down on the spray. I don't see anything for sale, probably need to make one. A good tip I got about cleaning after a ride, from my nephew in WI who's really into cycling year 'round: using compressed air to blow stuff out of the nooks and crannies. I have a small compressor and it works great, I really recommend it! Oh, and bread bags inside your shoes are a killer way to keep the feet warm.
Awesome. Slush definitely gets around - I just try to clear the bike as soon as possible after a ride. Compressed air is a good idea. I've also used a garden sprayer with warm water to clean up the bike while being aware of where you are spraying of course. I've never heard of break bags inside your shoes - traps the heat in your feet? Thanks for watching!
Yes absolutely ride in winter but, I live in Florida. We do have cold spells here in winter but we only take a short break from summer activities when the winter cold spells happen. Move south my friend!
Bought my ebike June 16 2021, as of today Nov1 2021, just a shade under 2250KM. Also today was my first of many planned winter rides....wouldn't you know it, took a curb bad, flat rear tire. Not sure if the cold had any effect in general, but maybe the cold affected tire pressure and the slamming on the curb compressed everything more. New tires tomorrow! I did ride enough to know I didn't have the riding clothes sorted. Mostly head forehead and neck. The face covering led to fogged glasses. Searched youtube for winter riding tips, found this. Ok, on to finish watching. - Cheers
I also really like to use old 90s style road bike clip ins and then use a big boot tread instead of cleats then I can still pull up but not have to clip out
I’m in the market for an E bike (and have watched a ton of your videos - thanks). I’m looking to replace my winter bike but it’s kind of been a letdown to see that all the major companies do not include water damage in their warranties. How am I supposed to rely on a machine that the manufacturer won’t even stand behind for one year of holding up to the rain and snow? Yes, rain and snow and salt causes corrosion, but it’s not like these things are made out of sugar, either. If anyone knows of a company whose warranty policy covers water damage, I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know!
Hi John, I'm not aware of one but I've had some ebikes in some pretty brutal conditions and have had no issues. Remember Rad is in Seattle where it is wet often. I do think you will find different waterproof ratings from brand to brand.
One thing I noticed as soon as evenings got cool in the fall I experienced a good 20-25% drop in range, which I attribute to that battery suffering the effects of the cold. I planned to make some type of insulted cover for the battery to see if it will help. Bike is kept in a heated garage so it starts out ok, might look at tossing hand warmers under the cover. First I need to sort my clothing as at sub zero(celsius) temps I won't out las the battery! I have a couple of fun 40km routes the would be fun to continue over the winter. I used to park my bikes once the snow hit, but the ebike is so fun, I don't want to park it until spring. I run all my errands that don't involve large carrying capacity and barely drove my truck all summer.
@@EbikeEscape Clothing wise I am now geared up. I found the main way to keep the cold out is wind proof outers. Wind jacket over hoodie over tshirt, way way warmer than hoodie over heavy fleece sweat shirt over tshirt. Bought wind proof gloves off Amazon, now wind proof top to bottom. Rode today, blowing, snowing tons of fun! Probably add bar mitts as the wind proof gloves are good, but thin. Wrapped the battery but still see a reduced capacity. I have a favourite route 48km, and I am down to 1 bar at the end. Have tried the hand warmers yet. Depending on the actual day, I may ride to see my sister over christmas, 70km might push things but I will add the hand warmers to see if it helps. I am a bit crazy, so not much short of a blizzard will stop me. May have to look into winter tires, wiped out on some black ice a few days back. Fortunately I was wearing a gopro, and was able to make a fun thing out of it. I put the video on my channel if you want a laugh. - Cheers
what about battery?????!?!?!? I live in Wisconsin. We get down to -25 almost once every winter. We sometimes have days when the temperature doesn't rise above 0 F (that's F, not C!) does your battery actually hold enough charge to get you anywhere in that kind of cold?
This video is also filmed by Wisconsin residents. What we recommend is storing your battery in your house, and insulating your battery while you ride. But even then, yes you will have decreased range and lack of power. -JT
Fellow Wisconsinite here I was wondering if it'd be a good idea to weather proof the controller and battery more with insulation for the battery and heat shrink wrap around the controller this is gonna be my first winter with my new bike( roadrunner 2) and I plan on using it as my daily driver for my work commute but I'm nervous about ruining some of the electronics components also I was thinking of getting the little compartment thingy that goes between the legs and putting my controller and battery in there to make it as winter resistant as possible would that be overkill
Hey Christophe, unfortunately options are limited though there has been some discussion on this over in the forum if you do a quick search: radowners.com
None of "your" tips actually apply to an ebike more than any standard bike being ridden in winter. These are the same common-sense tips winter riders have been using for decades now, since long before you were born. You should have addressed battery charging in cold temps. That's the only real difference that ebike owners have to deal with over any standard bike riders. But it goes to show how much of a pain in the ass changing rubber is with a hub-motor when you won't even do it for a potentially money-making video. I know, I know, a possible trip somewhere, sometime stopped you. Got it. You really should expand your horizons... you only have one way to go, up. To everyone else... Do Not listen to people that profit from You spending Your money. Low-end bikes and low-end gear is going to leave you disappointed at the least and stranded at the worst. If you want to buy an ebike, and when you regularly shop for something you only look at the cheapest priced versions of that item (Spam over Ham), then Ariel and Rad will be happy to take your money... with a little on the side for people that try to sway your decision by shouting their praise even if only through a lack of experience. It's even worse when they do it for personal profit and know what they are saying is BS. Everyone stay safe. - photos.app.goo.gl/ADgC6oyPM2gyrCq27
Since you know so much you should start a RU-vid channel on bike riding and tips. The man is just giving tips to youtubers who like him. He isn’t just putting stupid tips using a robot and retarded back ground pictures of bikes and snow
@@dominirican7403 Not really sure why people are always impressed with the making of the video rather than the content of the $%@#*&? video. This guy is here for the spare change he can make rather than actually helping people in any measurable way. Endorsing Rad SUV ebikes isn't helping anyone but himself and Rad. Would you be so enamored with him if he was suggesting the services of the lowest possible quality organ replacement facility little lady? I help people to make the right purchase of an ebike when possible but I don't beg for a handout from them or from manufacturers that incentivize "people" to sell their low-end products Like this crap: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ebike Escape: biikeescape.com/ Rad Power Bikes Forum: www.lameradowners.com/index.php POS Ebikes I own: Ariel Rider X-Class: lddy.no/oh8le Ride1Up LMT'D: ride11up.com/product/lmtd-2/?w... Rad Power Bikes RadWagon: bitOjunk.ly/2VMSVHl We are a participant in the low-end ebike affiliate programs as well as the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to low-end Amazon.com and affiliated sites. "Have Opinion For Sale". - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you care about ebikes and actually want one rather than just wanting to argue about them then start here: Building an eTouring bike - motoredbikes.com/threads/building-an-etouring-bike.57007/ The video's I post on YT are only for enjoyment purposes, *I'm not trying to sell "you" anything*, and don't suggest you listen to anyone that *is* trying to sell you crap. If you want help I'm more than happy to help. 10 May 20 - 100 miles. www.relive.cc/view/vMv85EGzYNO photos.app.goo.gl/9ZbuKQNWsHtRH3Ft7 prnt.sc/sw0igi Stay safe.
I unfortunately work on e bike in winter of Canada Uber eats I’m here in search for something warm to wear underwear 🩲 because the wind is killing my private area 🥶
