Winter Commuting, getting bike ready

[James Blackwell]

Hi All,
I am about to enter my second year of commuting in the winter on my bike properly. I have already dusted off my cycling gear, gloves, thermals, snood, etc, but what I didnt really do last year was change my bike for the winter weather.

Is there anything I should do, are there more appropriate tyres for the wet and frost, different oil for gears, chains, etc.

I dont really know, but dont want to blindly destroy my bike when some basics could probably save it.
I am planning on getting it serviced at the end of this month as it will have done a lot of miles since its service just before the summer.

I cycle roughly 35 miles in a round trip, through the centre of Bristol and out into the country side, so its different conditions the bike has to cope with.

Advice welcome.

James

 

[fossyant]

Mudguards if not already fitted. Tyres then you can run the same all year round. I do and have guards on.

Chain oil, then you may want to think about a wet lube. Main consideration is to clean the salt off and regular oil. GT85 on mech and brake pivots.

 

[fossyant]

Snow and ice then nothing other than studded tyres are safe. If you haven't got any then don't risk it.

 

[Biker Joe]

The key to using any bike through the winter months is regular washing down and keeping the drive train clean and well lubricated. If its bad weather, then after every ride.It doesn't take long. It's a matter of getting into the habit. Any bike oil will do if it is done regularly.
Any bike treated properly will get through the winter months with no problems.
If its icy and slippery, ride slower and with greater care.
If your bike will take mudguards it will help keeping you a little dryer. If not, fitting a crud catcher on the rear is a good compromise.
I don't bother with changing tires. It's up to you to ride more carefully according to the conditions.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I'll just check the bike over about this time of year, make sure everything is working as it should, replacing anything that needs replacing, I'm in the habit of replacing my worn tyres this time of year, normal routine is to put a new tyre on the front and the old front tyre on the back and scrap the old back tyre. I'll ride through all the snow and ice but I don't use any special tyres. I'll ride fixed all through the winter so I'll just keep the bike clean, look after the chain and keep everything well lubed.

 

[adds21]

Snow and ice then nothing other than studded tyres are safe. If you haven't got any then don't risk it.

I'll second that, epecially if you're going into Bristol from Clevedon along the new cycle path beside the railway line. There are a couple of nasty corners which are very icy early in the morning. I've seen several people come off along there. Studded tyres make all the difference, even if you only need them a few times a year.

 

[James Blackwell]

Hi guys,
Thank you for all the advice. Notes taken. I have a good regime keeping the bike clean, so I was going to just do more through the winter.

Tyres is the interesting subject, I do indeed use the cycle path from Nailsea, it was interesting last year, hence this post. At my work lots of people use winter tyres and their cars and it transforms them, so was wondering if there is a cycling alternative, the studs look ok, but how do they ride once I get to the better treated roads?

James

 

[fossyant]

There aren't winter tyres as such for bikes. Its ice that you have to watch for. Studded tyres are noisy and slow on tarmac but not too much worse that knobbly off road tyres.

 

[DrLex]

I'm another convert to studded tyres; I put a set of Marathon Winters on the pub/hack bike & use that on sub 4 degree days - I'd rather the extra effort of spinning almost a couple of extra kgs of tyre than suffer bruises, ripped kit & damaged bike parts. The pressures can be varied to change grip/effort. Just remember that when you get off, your shoes won't have the same grip!

 

[400bhp]

Mudguards if not already fitted. Tyres then you can run the same all year round. I do and have guards on.

Chain oil, then you may want to think about a wet lube. Main consideration is to clean the salt off and regular oil. GT85 on mech and brake pivots.

Why do you use that Foss? It just seems to end up in a horrible gloopy mess.

 

[sabian92]

Why do you use that Foss? It just seems to end up in a horrible gloopy mess.

You're using too much then

Apply, let it soak through and give the chain a good run then wipe off any excess after 10 minutes. It does cause more gunk but in my experience dry lube doesn't really work unless you live somewhere bone dry as when you get it wet it needs reapplying anyway. I use wet year round and while it is "gunkier" than dry, it's a lot easier to not have to reapply every 10 minutes when it rains.

With wet I'd recommend a chain cleaner as well to help get the crap out of your chain too. I give my chain/associated bits a squirt with degreaser, rinse that off after 10 minutes and a quick scrub then I use white spirit, give it a run through then same again with warm water then white spirit again. Give it one last run through with water to wash the white spirit out of the chain then dry it off and give it time to air dry. Then just a little dab on each link. Run the chain through then wipe the excess after 10 minutes.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

There aren't winter tyres as such for bikes. Its ice that you have to watch for. Studded tyres are noisy and slow on tarmac but not too much worse that knobbly off road tyres.

Wrong, continental pro contact 2 look exactly the same rubber and pattern as their car version, to me anyway.

 

[James Blackwell]

There aren't winter tyres as such for bikes. Its ice that you have to watch for. Studded tyres are noisy and slow on tarmac but not too much worse that knobbly off road tyres.

Thank you for that answer, helps solve the question a bit more. Cheers.

 

[adds21]

Thank you for that answer, helps solve the question a bit more. Cheers.

They're perfect if you like that "gravel driveway" sound, without actually having a gravel driveway

 

[James Blackwell]

They're perfect if you like that "gravel driveway" sound, without actually having a gravel driveway

Would love a gravel drive way. Just dubious about how much extra work load it takes to cycle with them. 17 miles is enough for me one way, especially now the winter is in and the wind this week. So still try and find a balance to keep it from totally wiping me out.