Today, cycling is becoming increasingly popular, and every year more people decide not to give up this activity even in winter. The reason is simple – technologies are improving every year, new protective measures are emerging that allow you to feel safer even on winter roads. But most importantly, people enjoy cycling and don't want to give it up.
If you cycle in winter, you should know that winter weather can be dangerous not only for you but also for your bike. How to take care of your bike so that the cold, snow, moisture, and slush don't harm it?
First – Cold Is Less Harmful to the Bike than Moisture
You returned from a ride on a cold winter day and don't have time to clean your bike? Leave it outside – in a warm room, snow and ice remnants melt, creating much better conditions for corrosion. Snow, especially if it is "dry," does not cause as much damage to the bike frame as water does. Cold is less harmful to the bike than moisture, fog, rain, and even less than the sun. Throughout the winter, the biggest damage to your bike comes from moisture, dirt, and salt sprinkled on the roads.
Second – The Bike Must Be Cleaned or Washed, Not Left to Dry
Never leave your bike to dry by itself. Why? Snow melts, the bike dries, but the salt and dirt do not disappear. As ice and snow melt, water drips from the upper parts of the bike to the lower ones, causing damage.
Clean the bike with a dry cloth and, for obvious reasons, start from the top. You can also wash the bike with water, with one condition – never use a strong jet of water, as found in some cleaning machines.
Third – The Cleaning Process Consists of Three Stages, All Equally Important
The cleaning process consists of three important stages – cleaning, degreasing, and lubricating.
- First, clean the bike – using your chosen cleaning product such as these and a cloth, remove snow, ice, dirt, and water.
- Then, degrease the bike's lubricated parts, such as the chain and others. Moving the chain, using a cloth or brush and special products, remove grease mixed with snow, water, dirt, and salt. Such grease loses its anti-corrosion properties, does not perform the lubrication function, and the chain wears out much faster.
- The third and final stage – choose the appropriate wax or lubricant and re-lubricate the degreased parts.
Fourth – Weak Spots to Pay Special Attention To
When cleaning the bike, pay attention to three things – the chain, lights, and brakes.
A simple fact – when riding a bike, the lights get dirty, covered with water deposits, salts, dirt, and the light is no longer as bright, which means you will be less visible on the road.
Dirt and salts that settle on the brakes negatively affect braking quality. A dirty chain wears out much faster.
Fifth – Protect the Frame from Corrosion
Polishing helps protect the bike frame from its biggest enemies – salt, dirt, and moisture do not stick as well to a polished surface, do not hold as well, and do not have as much impact. Thus, the bike frame becomes more resistant to corrosion. Choose and use a suitable polish.
Sixth – Take Care of the Tires
From time to time, check the tire pressure, especially when the weather changes – it suddenly gets colder or warmer. Remember that air in the tires also expands and contracts – in cold weather, the tire pressure decreases, in warm weather, it increases. Tire pressure in winter should be slightly lower – the tires will be softer, thicker, and have better traction on the road surface.
Seventh – Check the Batteries More Frequently
Batteries discharge much faster in cold air. If you ride a bike during the cold season, remember this. After a ride or before you go out, check the battery charge level and, if necessary, recharge them. Visibility is already poorer in winter, and riding with non-functioning lights will be really unpleasant.
Electric drives also discharge faster in cold weather. If you ride an electric bike, the same applies – make sure its battery is sufficiently charged.
Simple Tips – Great Benefits
All tips are simple and easy to implement. They do not require particularly large costs or a lot of time. Having bought a quality bike, don't forget to take good care of it. Just take proper care of your bike during the winter period, and it will be in excellent technical condition – the frame won't rust, the bike's chain and brakes will be in order. Most importantly, you will feel safe on the road.
