Well, the weather is crappier than normal and the days are wet and cold, which can only mean one thing: winter is here. Booooo. While some cyclists may choose to hibernate until spring, many of us are still trying to embrace life on two wheels, albeit with a bit more of a grumpy overture as we do so.
To stay safe and comfortable, and to enjoy(!?) every mile, a little extra bike maintenance and preparation is essential. It's not our usual approach to blogging, but New Year, new content, so let's look at the key aspects of winterising your bike to keep it working as you want it to, throughout the colder months.
1. Weather-Proofing Your Ride
Tyre Pressure: Cold temperatures significantly impact tire pressure. Underinflated tyres can lead to poor traction, increased rolling resistance, and increased risk of punctures. Regularly check and adjust tyre pressure according to the manufacturer's recommendations. We know you all know what pressure you like to ride on, but when the black ice hits (and it will), you don't want to find yourself stuck at the side of a blisteringly cold and windy back road trying to dig out your canister.
Tyre Choice: Consider swapping out your summer tyres for wider ones with more tread. These give you better grip on wet and icy surfaces, providing increased stability and confidence on slippery roads. If you're not hugely confident swapping your tyres out seasonally, consider having a set of winter-specific wheels that you can pop in when the weather turns. Is it a bit baller? Maybe, but working smarter, not harder is key. (Subtle sales pitch: we can build you a set of custom winter wheels, to pretty much any budget.)
Brakes: Check that your brakes are working properly. It sounds like a no-brainer, but let's be honest and admit that plenty of us hop on and go without performing any real checks. Look for proper alignment, sufficient brake pad material, and smooth operation. And don't forget that if you're riding in wet conditions, disc brakes generally offer better stopping power compared to rim brakes, so consider that. Also, check your rim brake blocks for little stones and make sure you pick them out to prevent rim damage.
Lights: We like to assume that you all have lights. Good ones. However, as we are riding around, it's always a shock to see people relying on a couple of reflectors and one half-arsed rear light that's not so much flashing as gently throbbing. You have to have a decent, bright front and rear light set in winter, not least because of the low-light conditions that are an almost daily feature in the UK. Lights on, 24/7!
Check your tubeless sealant: If you've taken the plunge and gone tubeless, check your sealant levels. This time of year sees countless little bits of flint and rubbish get washed to the side of the road, all of which will deplete your levels and, potentially, leave you with a bubbling flat tyre.
Grease your seatpost: You should be pulling your seatpost out and greasing it every year to prevent seizing. It takes two seconds and can prevent a world of pain. There really isn't any excuse for not doing this! That's why we have to charge a reasonable amount to remove stuck posts...it's silly billy tax!
Bike parent life doesn't stop when the weather is rubbish!
2. Essential Gear for Winter Cycling:
Mudguards: Mudguards are an absolute must in wet weather. They stop mud and water from caking you and your bike, helping you to stay dry and more comfortable. We know they are a style choice and not everyone's cup of tea, but if you have the clearance, why not make use of it for a few months? Also, don't forget the flaps, for some extra coverage to keep your feet dry. (Sales pitch number two: we can fit guards for you if it's a nightmare job that you don't want to tackle.)
Winter Clothing: Dress in layers to adapt to changing temperatures and conditions. It doesn't have to be Rapha, in fact, a lot of the time it's better if it's not (lolz) but having some easy layers that you can add or remove is key. For fellow vegan cyclists who can't do merino wool, bamboo is a great alternative that offers similar sweat-wicking and warmth, so keep an eye out for jerseys or base layers made with this. Naturally, you'll want a good quality waterproof and windproof jacket (we favour a warm jumper with a windbreaker over the top personally), warm gloves, and a comfortable cycling cap or helmet liner. And don't forget the neck buff! We can't count the number of times ours have saved us from cold ears, freezing air and more. Shout out to Victory Chimps for making our favourites that come in funky colours and patterns (lots of orange!).
Eye Protection: Look. Not everyone wants to be part of the safety specs crew (we do, but we have awesomely cool safety specs and look for any opportunity to poindexter it up!) but protecting your eyes mustn't be something you think about after the fact. Eye injuries are bloody painful, inconvenient and can be long-lasting so protect yourself from wind, rain, and debris with some glasses. You can go as fancy as you like too, with anti-fog coatings etc.
Tools and Repair Kit: Always carry a basic repair kit with essentials like spare tubes, tyre levers, a multi-tool, and a pump or CO2 inflator. Not every partner out there relishes a rescue mission or wants your knackered bike shoved in the back of their car! If you need a cool frame bag to stow all of this in, may we recommend our good friends over at Dyed In The Wool? We can personally attest to their quality and awesome customer service.
3. Combatting the Salt:
Road salt is everywhere during UK winters (apart from in your own small village...grrrrr, council tax moan...etc...), but it can wreak havoc on your bike if left unchecked. You all know that salt is highly corrosive and can damage components such as your frame, chain, and drivetrain, but not everybody is rinsing off after a razz. If this is you, it's time to start thinking of the following:
Regular Cleaning: After every salty ride (sounds weird!), thoroughly clean your bike. Use a gentle bike cleaner and a hose or pressure washer to remove salt residue and pay close attention to areas like the chain, cassette, and derailleur. Cleaning is a chore, no getting away from that, but so is replacing consumables more than you need to.
Lubrication: Use a bike-specific lubricant on your chain and other moving parts after cleaning. Winter-specific lubricants are formulated to withstand wet conditions and provide better protection against corrosion. Winter is not the time for chain waxing, as it has to be re-done after each ride. It's more of a performance-related service. (Ahem, we wax chains.)
Corrosion Inhibitors: Consider using a corrosion inhibitor spray on your frame and other metal components to further protect them from salt damage.
4. What August Bicycles Can Do for You in Winter
We build bikes, ride them and have made them a huge part of our daily lives, so it's a bit of an understatement to say that we understand the importance of proper bike maintenance in winter. We are also parents and humans, so we know that finding the time to wash, lubricate, service and check your winter rides isn't always easy. With that in mind, we are on hand to offer the following:
Winter bike checks: Our comprehensive winter bike checks will ensure your bike is safe and ready for the demands of winter riding. Not quite a service, but peace of mind before you start racking up cold miles.
Framesaving: Steel bikes get moisture build up inside them, so pulling them apart to allow this to get out before applying framesaver can prevent damage to your bike. We do this as standard with our custom frames but it's never too late to start with yours.
Servicing: We can give your bike a full service to make sure you're going out on the safest version of your bike possible. We will check for chain stretch, drivetrain wear and more, before giving your brakes a going over and checking that seatpost grease too!
Wheel truing and spoke replacement: Truing your wheels and replacing any damaged spokes will keep you riding happily and safely for as long as possible. We have a spoke-cutting machine in-house, to make sure everything is the perfect size.
The UK is pretty grim at the best of times (both weather and politically tbh) but if cycling is your serotonin top-up, stops you from going crazy and keeps you fit and happy, don't let winter deter you from getting out. With a little prep and regular maintenance, you can confidently get out and earn that coffee at a fabulous indie shop (let's all just fuck off Starbucks etc this year please!) and a double helping of cake too.
Ride Safe Guys! Gav and Ames. (and Barbara)
Comments