Cold weather and staying warm on the bike isn’t all you should be worried about when cycling during the winter. The condition and function of your bike is just as important to the safety and enjoyment of your ride. If you need some motivation to get out for a ride during winter, this year Rapha is holding its 8th Festive 500, where cyclists around the world ride 500 km (that’s 310 miles) between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in support of World Bicycle Relief who provides people with bikes in rural villages in developing countries.
So whether you’re opting outside just for a ride around the neighborhood or doing a few days of 500 km worth of riding, be sure to get your bike ready with these tips to deal with the muck of winter months ahead.
Tires
The surface and condition of the road is much more hazardous during the winter months. Thorns, wet roads, leaves and oil from cars are just a few of the obstacles that await you.
If your tires are old and worn, you increase your risk for an accident or a flat tire. And while changing a flat tire during the summer might not be a big deal, when the temperatures are near freezing, exposing your hands to the cold while you fight to get your tire on can be. Make sure you have sufficient tread left on the tire before you head out.
Brake Pads
Rubber brake pads that are partially worn may look safe before you leave the house. But conditions outside can change in an instant, and when it starts to rain your pads will disintegrate just as fast.
Once the pad is down to the metal, you’re exposing yourself to unnecessary danger. If it rains a lot where you live, buy pads specific for wet conditions. They won’t wear as quick and offer better braking than a standard brake pad in extreme conditions.
Wheels
Not only does the grit and grime from the road wear down your brake pads, but it can also wear down the surface of the rim. For this reason, it’s best to leave your expensive race wheels in the garage during the winter months. Buying a pair of cheap winter wheels will save you a lot of money when you compare how much it’ll cost you to replace your nice wheels in another season or two.
It’s also a good idea to clean the braking surface every once in a while to keep grime from building up. Rubbing alcohol works well if soap and water isn’t doing the job.
Frame
The dirt and grime from the road can cause corrosion to your frame, ruining the most expensive part of your bike. To create a barrier and avoid attracting grit from the road, coat parts of your bike with car wax (trust us, it’s an old-school trick).
While you can buy spray-on lubricants that will work in a similar fashion, they will probably require more frequent application. If you’re planning on a long winter, applying car wax will do the job for months. Pay particular attention to the underside of the downtube and around the bottom bracket, which are common trouble spots. Car wax can also be used on components such as cranks and spokes, but be sure to stay away from braking surfaces.
Seat
While synthetic materials won’t be as much of a problem, if you’re using a leather saddle during the winter it could take a serious beating and even ruin the shape.
Fenders should help keep some of the dirt and grime away from your seat, but it’s also a good idea to protect leather saddles by coating the underside with a dressing. This will help it maintain its natural oils and keep it from attracting muck from the road.
If you’re really worried about your saddle, a saddle cover is also an option.
Cables
Water has a way of seeping its way into your cable housing, which over time can decrease the performance of your shifting and braking. Changing your cables regularly is always a good idea, and you can also use cable seals, which are popular on cyclocross bikes. Sealing your cables end-to-end will keep water and mud from affecting the performance of your bike, regardless of the conditions.
Wear
When your chain wears, it damages your chainrings and the cogs of your cassette. If you have the money, buy one chain to use in harsh conditions and a different chain to use when it’s sunny and dry. This will make them both last longer. Carry a chain tool and an extra link or two just in case it does break when you’re in a tough spot—like in the middle of a rainstorm.
In addition, it’s also a good idea to apply a wet chain lube. It’s water resistant, long lasting, and will keep your chain working like it should over your cassette and chain rings.
Grease
There are plenty of chain lubes on the market, but not all of them are suited for winter riding. Use a wet chain lube when conditions are bad. It’s water resistant and will keep your chain from rusting. It’s also a good idea to keep the other parts of your bike greased too. Pay attention to the bottom bracket, headset, pedals and hubs, and if they haven’t been lubed in awhile, a drop or two will do the job.
Fenders
There is nothing worse than having mud and water spray over your back, face, legs, and bike. Fenders will keep you clean and prevent your bike from being a complete disastrous mud mess when you get back home from a ride through water and grit on the roa
Lights
Even in the middle of the day, weather conditions can change in a hurry. When the dark clouds roll in, visibility can decrease for you and for the motorist you’re sharing the road with. Make sure you’re always prepared by keeping the lights on your bike turned on during every ride.
The new Garmin Varia smart lights are weatherproof and can be controlled from some Garmin GPS devices like the Edge 1000. They also increase and decrease brightness automatically as conditions change, and when used with two taillights it has the ability to signal left and right turns.
Clean Your Bike
It’s a good habit to clean your bike right after every ride. It’ll make your components last longer, keep your bike running smooth and save you from the hassle of having to clean off gunk that’s dried because you let it sit.
Image: Rapha