How to Ride your Bakcou Electric Bike in the Winter

When winter approaches, some Bakcou electric bike riders put their bikes away for the season, not to be ridden again until spring makes its arrival. Meanwhile, some outdoor enthusiasts still want to ride even with snow on the ground and a nip in the air.

While most people are inside trying to stay warm, there are still outdoor enthusiasts looking for ways to get outside and get some fresh air and exercise. Exploring trails in the winter gives them a completely different feel. For us, the silence and stillness of winter riding that we get with fewer people outside and the snow absorbing the sound is an incredible experience.

Riding in the winter can be incredibly rewarding, but there are other factors to take into account when preparing to ride your Bakcou electric bike in the cold winter months. Some important things to consider for your winter ride include: keeping yourself warm, keeping your electric bike running, how the cold can affect lithium-ion batteries, and where you will be able to ride when there is snow and ice on the ground.

Keeping Yourself Warm

If you want to enjoy the experience of winter riding, the first thing to consider is how you are going to stay warm. Make sure you check the weather and see just how cold it is going to be. After all, 32°F and sunny is much different than 0°F and windy.

There are a few pieces that you will likely want to throw on or, at the very least, bring with you. Gloves are a crucial tool to keep your hands warm enough to maintain control of your brakes, shifting, and steering. You will also want to consider whether you want waterproof and insulated gloves or just a thin liner. 

Choose the Right Gear

If the weather is especially chilly, you will want to wear a base layer. A waterproof and wind-resistant layer or an insulated jacket may also be an option to consider. Moving your body and pedaling your Bakcou electric bike will warm you up a bit, so multiple layers are necessary to regulate your temperature throughout the day. Don’t forget to make sure you also have a good pair of socks and boots on your feet!

Aside from dressing appropriately for the weather, Bakcou also sells handlebar mitts. These are a great accessory to keep your hands warm throughout the day. Our handlebar mitts can be worn with or without gloves. They have zippered pockets on the underside, giving you space to throw in some hand warmers on extra cold days. Your ability to stay warm will allow you to stay out longer and better enjoy the ride!

Keeping Your Bike Running Optimally

Your Bakcou electric bike, like any machinery, is going to be affected by the temperature that it is operating in. It’s important to keep the weather in mind when setting out on a winter adventure. 

Without diving too deep into the finer details of how the chemistry of lithium-ion batteries is altered at different temperatures, it’s important to remember that you don’t want to use a cold lithium-ion battery. The battery management system will often limit the battery because it senses a large temperature difference within the cells. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to see even a fully charged battery drop to 0% in the cold. 

The Right Equipment for Winter

Bakcou designed and now offers an innovative solution for keeping your electric bike battery warm and functioning during winter months. Our battery jacket features a heating element to get your battery to an optimal temperature before startup. The jacket insulation then keeps the battery at an appropriate temperature while you ride. 

If you aren’t riding a Bakcou electric bike, the best-selling fat tire electric bike on the market, we recommend running the largest tire that your frame will allow. The larger tire helps in getting traction and better handling in the snow. Some people prefer to invest in studded tires if they know they’ll be riding on ice. After winter rides, you'll want to thoroughly clean and lubricate your bike to protect components and keep them running longer.

Where to Ride

When learning to ride during the winter, it’s a great idea to stay relatively close to home and on well-paved paths or even plowed streets. Starting slow allows you to get used to riding in the cold and helps you dial in what gear you'll need. 

Once you feel comfortable in the cold weather, we recommend going to places you have ridden in other seasons. Not only does it help to be familiar with the trail that you’re on, but it’s also really rewarding to see the changes that occur through different seasons. These trails have a whole new form of beauty and give you a new perspective on old areas. 

Fat tires like the ones on a Bakcou electric bike allow you to ride on packed snow with relative ease. Fresh, powdery snow is a bit more tricky, and we haven’t had much luck riding it yet. Perhaps we need to design some skis for our bikes? Ha! We recommend easy-to-handle packed snow, but if you happen to find a way to ride powder, please let us know!