Haven't had a Quantock fix for over a month now . Tomorrow looks like it might actually be rain free 🙄 So bike choice is either nearly new E Bike ( my previous experience wasn't very inspiring, Bosch motor didn't like the wet 🙄) or my bargain Onza Jackpot that cost about the same as a new motor 🤔
I know I've got a warranty but there's something liberating about riding trails that will resemble rivers on a cheap hardtail . Roadies have best and winter bikes so no difference I guess ? Leaving E Bike in the warm and dry common sense or cowardice ? 🤔
Take the ebike, if it's going to fail, then let it have a real shakedown, it's what i did with mine a couple of years ago, just took it out in horrific conditions and soaked it through, no further issues after that, but no point keeping it dry and shiny until the warranty runs out.
Its a no brainer.
The first time I had my full-suss serviced after a winter being ridden through Lancashire mud/grinding paste (complete set of new bearings and pivots as well as the obligatory BB and drivechain), I decided it was hardtails only through the winter months from then on.
Sod throwing an expensive motor into the mix
An ebike motor should have very few issues with 'normal' wet conditions.
Jet washing it close up with no thought for things is something else.
I don't worry about mine in the wet at all. No issues as yet*
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*Except tomorrow now.
Have you still got warranty on the e-bike? If so I wouldn’t worry about it being a bit wet*
In which case take whichever you fancy riding the most. I ride my full suss and ht based on which I fancy riding at the time. The fs gets just as much hammer in the bad weather - my bearings are still going relatively ok a year into having the fs frame - the drive side main pivot one is a bit rough feeling but nowhere near seizing yet. Bearings don’t cost that much if you change them yourself so I don’t feel I need to be nicer to that bike than my steel hardtail.
* ok - it’s probably a little more than a bit wet as it’s been raining for weeks now and the ground is soaked
The one with the best mudguards. A full "uglyguard" setup on my hardtail means it's always the bike of choice. One of the worse bits of nightriding is getting a constant cold wet spray where you don't want a cold wet spray. After even the filthiest ride, most of the mud is from the knees down and I can deal with that!
We saw a couple of riders last week (ebikers if it matters) absolutely splattered head to toe. No way the pub is letting them in like that 🙂
But anyway, Hardtails.
I took the “keep ebike for when it’s dry” approach and regretted it when the motor died out of warranty. Get as much use out of it in warranty as you can.
I once rode my Bosch motor through an icy puddle that turned out to be a lake - completely submerged the motor. Still going strong 2 years later* and I regularly ride it in the rain. As above avoid jet washing it.
*obv jinxed it now though…🙄
