Winter comes every year but it still takes people by surprise. Not wrapping up your bike, or yourself, will end in a worn out groupset and worn out legs. We’ve put together a little guide with some ideas of what to pay extra attention to.
How to prepare your bike for winter cycling
Tyres: Schwalbe One TLE
When the roads are slippy you want your tyres to be grippy, and they don’t come much more grippy than these. They’re not cheap, but they’re likely to be longest-lasting.
Plus you can set them up tubeless: Rolling with a generous squirt of sealant inside, they’ll be able to seal most punctures before you even know they’re there. Plus they aren’t too heavy, so there’s still some joy to be had from them. Get them in a wide size, and you’ll be ready to roll through the worst winter conditions.
Read our review:Schwalbe One TLE
Saddlebag: Apidura Backcountry Tool Pack (0.5L)
Even if you do go tubeless, punctures are more likely in winter as the rain washes foreign bodies on to the side of the road, where they’re primed to bring misery. A decent-sized waterproof saddlebag is your best friend when carting around all the relevant tools and inner tubes to prevent you getting caught short. This Apidura saddlebag even has an integrated light loop for and is quick to remove.
Mudguards: SKS Raceblade
Mudguards aren’t cool in some parts, but we know of plenty of clubs that wouldn’t let you ride without full mudguards after October. What’s more, they’ll make it you ride at the back while you spray a line of grime up the back of your best jersey. Avoid the shame by clipping a pair of SKS Raceblades on.
Read our review:SKS Raceblade
Bar Tape: Specialized S-Wrap HD
Winter riding can be tricky enough without adding thin and slippery bar tape into the mix, which is why it can pay to replace it when the temperature starts falling. S-Wrap HD bar tape has a non-slip surface that makes sure nothing comes between your hands and the bars, while the elastomer gel backing reduces road buzz. Plus it looks cool!
Lights: Lezyne Hecto Drive 500XL/KTV Light Set
the Hectro Drive front light will pump out 500 lumens from a very neat package and will last up to 20 hours on the lowest setting. Equally quick to attach and compatible with aero-seat posts, the KTV’s two LEDs sit in an IPX7 waterproof case. Offering up to 270° of visibility and a 10-lumen output will ensure you get seen by any cars approaching from behind.
Read our buyers guide to the best winter bike lights
Cables: Jagwire Road Pro Complete Road Bike Brake and Gear Cable Set
It's amazing how far water and dirt can penetrate your bike during a wet, muddy ride. Even sealed-in components such as brake and gear cables can suffer after a good soaking, affecting your ability to stop or shift in a timely fashion.
The liners in this kit from Jagwire will help keep cables clean while the compression-less construction boosts braking power and shifting accuracy.
Drivetrain: Pedros Chain Pig Machine II
Your bike’s drivetrain will suffer more in the winter. Whether from rain or salt on the road, it’ll both get muckier and dry out quicker. One solution is to change to a thicker ‘wet’ condition chain lube.
While this can work if you’re lazy, doing so will soon see your drivetrain get black and gunky. A better solution is to clean regularly with a dedicated chain cleaning device and simply apply your regular lube a bit more frequently. This one from Pedro wins by looking like a pig.