AaronFW wrote:What do you (Nano and Kade1301) do in less-than-clement weather conditions (rain or snow)? I am wanting to move toward using an e-bike ...
I have plenty of experience with that as I didn't own a car until I was 35 and went everywhere mainly by bicycle.
First thing: You absolutely want a bike with mudguards. Which would go without saying in places where bikes are an everyday means of transport like Germany and the Netherlands, but here in France, for example, they try to sell even bikes with city frames without them (probably because a sucker is born every day) and I don't know where Ohio stands on this issue. Without a mudguard you get a lovely stripe of water/dirt up your back (yep, I tried it...).
Second thing: For driving on ice, studded tires do exist, though probably not in all dimensions. So might might keep that in mind before choosing your bike. Because studded tires really do help on the occasional patch of black ice or even on hard-packed snow (not in deep, loose snow - there riding is simply next to impossible).
Third thing: Bad weather clothing. You'll have to experiment for yourself, there's plenty of choices. From the really cheap rain capes which act like a sail - but you'll get less sweaty under them than under a watertight jacket - to Goretex overclothes which in my experience are not as efficient as keeping you dry (from sweat) as they are expensive. Recently I found gloves with an attached waterproof "hood" to pull over the fingers in rain, which is folded away under a flap when dry. Neat! Overshoes exist as well, a helmet will keep the head somewhat dry (personally I do not consider a helmet mandatory or even useful except in special cases - as I wear glasses I rather like transparent "sun visors" - those cheap plastic thingies that make you think of old ladies in Florida. Though a baseball cap helps as well a bit.) If you don't like what you find in bike shops don't hesitate to check out motorbike clothing - or clothing for horseback riding or sailing, or other outdoor sports.
You'll absolutely want a means of getting your pants legs out of the way - either straps or metal clamps. (Well, you could always roll them up in a pinch, but that's too easy to "forget" - "oh, once won't matter", but yes, it will. Chain oil on dress pants - or even jeans - is not a good look...) That's weather-independent, by the way.
Depending on the distance to work, how much you sweat on the way, your work conditions, etc. you might consider taking a set of spare clothes and changing at work. Though I never did (but then I only had 8 km - flat - to go). For me a bicycle is not complete without a luggage rack and some high-quality, waterproof bags. That way you have someplace to put your spares and they will keep dry... I bought a pair of Ortlieb bags for the rear rack 25 years ago and am still using them - getting good quality really pays off in the long term.
Actually, I would have very much liked to have a set of spare clothes that day when I slipped on the winter road and went down the hill on my belly with the bike behind me. I was on my way to university for exams and tried my best to dry out by sitting on the heater before it started... As you can see, I survived (I also passed the exam with flying colors).
However, as Nanohedron said, you could also just use the bike when the weather is (reasonably) good, which is what I'm doing nowadays, when I have a car. When it's pouring with rain, I don't start out on the bike. In case of sudden downpours, I always have a rain cape in my bags (I'm talking about these things:
https://www.ilovebicycling.com/5-of-the ... ain-capes/ - but the prices in the article are more than ridiculous. A cheap one should work just as well and you needn't worry about it getting stolen if you leave it in your bags all the time.) Yesterday, when it was very warm and looked like it could rain any moment - I believe a few drops might even have fallen - I just dressed in quick-dry sports clothes and sandals without socks and figured I'd just accept the warm shower if it should come
On the whole, I can't recommend cycling highly enough. It's the cheapest - and often fastest - means of transport and at the same time perfect aerobic exercise (as easy or as hard as you want it to be).
Last but not least - do you really need an e-bike? Mechanical bikes have the huge advantage that you can do most of the maintenance and repairs yourself (there's not a lot to go wrong) and often they can be had cheaply second hand (the bike that lives in my truck cost me € 10, plus € 1.50 for a nut, plus new tubes and tires,. And I had lots of fun taking it apart, cleaning and greasing everything and putting it back together. Gives you a real sense of achievement...)
If you have any other questions regarding (e-)bikes, don't hesitate to ask!