Low temperatures, city streets full of slush and s alt. These are not ideal conditions for cycling. Regardless of whether we use it every day as a means of transport or leave it in the garage to wait until spring, you should properly prepare your two-wheeler for the winter.
Winter is a difficult time not only for cyclists, who have to deal with low temperatures, icy paths outside the city or rainfall. These are also unfavorable conditions for equipment that is exposed to moisture, mud or sand. Good preparation of the bike will help to protect its most delicate parts.
First of all cleaning
Regardless of whether you ride your bike all winter or park your vehicle in the basement, you must clean it after the peak of the season. So we thoroughly remove all dirt from the gears, chain, cassette and shock absorbers. Then we lubricate it again with preparations for use in "wet conditions". They show much greater resistance to washing out by water. As a result, they remain on the protected surface for longer, ensuring quiet operation of the drive.
Typical "dry" greases are not a good solution here - they will wash out too quickly until they no longer protect the chain. It is also a good idea to fill the bearings with fresh grease before winter. It is also worth securing the axles of the pedals and hubs in a similar way. This will prevent jamming of the threads.
Before we leave the bike in the garage or basement, let's also check the quality of the tires. During the winter, several months of "rest" from driving, it is worth checking the pressure in the tires regularly. - If the bicycle is used in winter, it requires thorough cleaning and maintenance after each ride in such unfavorable conditions. It is about limiting the effects caused mainly by road s alt.
It is worth remembering to dry all elements thoroughly after washing. The chain must be re-lubricated, using a special oil - explains Marcin Górnicki, Kross expert.
In bicycle shops you will find a lot of accessories for winter cleaning of two-wheeler elements. The adverse effects of contact with slush will be limited by filling the holes and gaps in the bike with a special light foam. Covering will also come in handyshifting cables. To avoid abrasion of the paint, it is a good idea to protect the frame, especially the top and bottom tubes, and the rocker arm with a colorless foil.
How to protect an electric bike against winter?
In the case of eBikes, the battery needs a lot of attention. Cell manufacturers advise against completely discharging them. So let's connect the battery to recharge. Even if we do not use the bicycle. Riding an electric model in winter is unlikely to harm the battery. It is worse if we leave the battery in a cold garage or basement or - in extreme cases - directly in the cold. At best, we will significantly reduce the performance of the battery, at worst we will damage it. Therefore, in winter, it is worth removing it from the electric bike and storing it at home, at room temperature.
Winter cycling. How to prepare?
If we want to ride a bike in winter, we must also take care of good, long fenders. They will prevent water from getting into the bike. They will also limit the soaking of clothing, ensuring greater driving comfort - argues Marcin Górnicki. Winter adventurers often decide to change the drive in their bike. An alternative to modern 1x11 or 1x12 gears are simpler solutions with a smaller number of gears.