We talked to experts to find out about the most important qualities to consider when you’re looking to buy an e-bike cover.
Heavy-duty material: Many e-bike covers have a D (denier) rating, Ross says.
Denier—which has nothing to do with the verb deny—is a unit of measurement that defines a fabric’s linear mass density, thickness, and weight of fibers (in other words, the thickness of the e-bike cover’s threads). “When you get into detail, there is a direct correlation between denier size and strength: The bigger the [denier] number, the greater the tensile strength,” Ross says. When buying an e-bike cover, it’s important to balance the strength of your fabric against the convenience of being able to pull it off your e-bike and fold it small enough to pack away. The stronger the fabric is, the more difficult to bend and fold. You’ll see 210D, 420D, and so on. (210D is fine for normal weather, while 420D is better suited to extreme weather.)
Waterproof or water-resistant: There’s a difference between an e-bike cover that’s labeled waterproof as opposed one that has water-resistance claims. While a waterproof coating completely blocks water (at the expense of breathability and flexibility), a water-resistant coating only repels light moisture and brief water exposure (at the expense of durability). If you plan to keep your bike outside and live somewhere that rains, you should make sure your e-bike cover is waterproof.
Security features: An effective cover must also stay in place. “Depending on the bike, the cover can sometimes flap around in the wind,” McGary says. Extra security features, like a lash or a fastening system, are important for that reason.
If you’re transporting your e-bike on the back of your car, McGary recommends buying an e-bike battery bag and cockpit cover instead of a complete e-bike cover. “Full bike covers can cover car taillights and license plates and restrict rearward vision,” he says.
