Prepare your bike for winter

In this quick guide, we’ll dive into preparing yourself and your bike for colder months.

General maintenance tips

Cleaning your bike during the summer feels awesome, as you can tinker with your bike and make it all shiny and squeaky clean. During the winter, it feels like a chore, because no matter how well you clean the bike, you will ride it in the snow or rain. But it’s still important to keep your bike well-maintained and clean because it will prevent it from unnecessary wear and tear, as a result of daily usage in bad conditions.

We advise booking an appointment in the shop to do a pre-winter service to make sure that all the bolts are tightened and all the bearings are properly and well-lubricated. 

Click here to read more about our workshop and book a service.

There are a number of things you can do yourself:

Protect your frame

During winter, the roads are often salted to prevent black ice. Although this method works for keeping the road grippy, it can ruin a bicycle, rusting metal parts and degrading tyres. Keeping your frame protected is essential to keeping your bike in the best condition throughout the entire year.

A good practice before winter is to thoroughly clean and protect the frame of your bicycle. After washing your bike, you can protect it by coating the frame with specialized compounds and sprays or even automotive waxes, that are safe to use on clear coats. 

Mudguards

Mudguards keep you and your bike clean. A high-quality set of mudguards drastically reduces the chance of you getting soaked down from your tyres. A good set of mudguards should be light enough, so it doesn’t cripple your ability to move fast. It should also fit your tyre size so that it doesn’t rub on them and wear them down. Some models of mudguards are easy to install and take off your bike.

Choose a high-quality chain lube

Keeping your chain lubricated, no matter the season, keeps your chain running smoothly and reduces friction inside the links. During winter, it’s crucial to clean your chain regularly and lubricate it with “wet lube”, so it protects it from water and prevents rust from forming inside and outside your chain.

In our online store you can find a variety of different lubes, so make sure, you’re stocked up for the winter season, as even a single ride without chain lube can propel oxidation and ruin your chain quickly.

Change your tyres for the winter

When the temperature drops, black ice can form on the road, making your ride or commute extremely dangerous in case of a spill caused by slippage. To prevent that from happening, choose a soft-compound tyre, that has been made and tested for colder months.

We recommend sizing up on your tyres during winter, as long as it’s possible on your bike because the more surface area touches the road, the more traction you have.

Warm clothing

Winter commutes can be brutal, as the already low temperature is exaggerated when you’re riding. Making sure you keep your head, torso, hands and feet warm will improve your comfort significantly.

Base layer

A high-quality base layer that fits snugly should be the first garment that you buy. Base layers are made to manage heat and moisture, allowing for optimal thermoregulation. Merino wool base layers will provide you with great comfort because they can be thin yet keep outstanding thermal properties. They also have antibacterial properties to keep you odour-free.

Head warmth

For keeping your head warm, we recommend getting a liner cap that fits under your helmet and covers your ears.

Waterproof clothing

For rainy days we recommend getting a waterproof jacket and trousers. It is a good idea to choose a set that has reflective panels, which will make you more visible to other road users. Keep in mind that waterproof hardshell garments do not provide heat and moisture exchange, so it’s best to wear them only during bad conditions. If you want to keep dry on the outside and inside, choose a soft-shell jacket with a membrane, that will provide heat and moisture regulation and still protect you from rain. Unfortunately, during heavy rain, membrane jackets can leak water in and they have to be treated carefully and maintained properly, as membranes can degrade over years of usage.

Overshoes

Overshoes are a great option to keep your feet warm if you ride with clipless pedals. Overshoes dedicated for winter are made mostly from neoprene, which has great insulating properties.