Winter Bike: All Facts You Should Know
Jane Tu - November 22, 2022When the weather turns chilly, you don’t necessarily need to put your bike away. A winter bike is a good choice for you to ride in the snow with fun and safety.
You will learn all facts about winter bikes like reason, care, and wheels and gear needed. Continue reading, you will find the answer you want.
What is a Winter Bike?
A winter bike is a second (or third, or fourth) bike, to put it simply…), a relatively inexpensive bike that you literally ride in the winter (you didn’t see that coming, did you).
Typically, however, it is a little bit more than that because it should be outfitted for winter riding: disc brakes are quickly becoming a requirement, and the winter bike user frequently adds mudguards/fenders, cheap/old wheels, and wider tires.
One of the best bike saddlebags for extra tubes or clothing, a set of the best bike lights, and, of course, a frame-mounted bike pump to handle the inevitable punctures, are other items you might want to consider adding. Everything is common sense.
Of course, if you only had one bike, you could put all of these accessories on it for the winter, but it can be painful to constantly swap accessories on and off depending on the weather when all you want to do is go for a ride.
It pays to keep your best bike out of the worst weather because your bike will experience significantly more wear and tear there.
Because there are so many deals available right now, it’s a great time to buy a winter bike. For the best deals on winter bikes, head over to our page featuring the best Black Friday bike deals.
Why Have a Winter Bike?
In this section, we’ll assume that you won’t hibernate from December to March (or from October to April, as is more typical during the winter), but rather that you’ll continue riding. Instead of using a turbo trainer in the garage, that is riding in the real world…
Winter brings bad weather, which in Britain and some regions of the US also means mud, salt, and potholes. A bike can quickly accumulate a black film of corrosive dirt that can harm the gears, the braking surfaces, and the frame itself, not to mention getting you covered in dirt. On lengthy winter rides, a soggy bottom is not the best company.
Winter is tough on bikes, and there’s nothing worse than seeing your £3,000+ pride and joy slowly deteriorate.
However, you are not restricted to using a winter bike only in the winter. Consider it more of a “bad conditions” bike since summers can be just as wet.
What Should I Look for in a Winter Bike?
We’ve already mentioned how important it is to install a good set of mudguards or fenders because they not only keep you dry but also protect other riders from your spray and prevent dirt from splashing all over the bike’s parts.
You’ll need a bike with clearance for mudguards/fenders in order to install them, so make sure there is enough room.
A lot of carbon-fiber frames lack these mounts or “eyelets,” so if you choose the “fully-fixed” variety that needs to be fastened to the frame with bolts, make sure your frame actually has them.
If the winter frame you’ve chosen doesn’t have specific fender eyelets, you can purchase “clip-on” versions. Although they don’t always provide as much protection as fixed guards, these are unquestionably preferable to facing winter weather unprepared.
Similarly, if you plan to install 28mm (or larger) tires, make sure the frame has enough clearance for them.
Compare how your bikes are set up because it’s a good idea to try and replicate the riding position across your road bikes, or you might find switching between the two machines uncomfortable.
What Sort of Winter Bike is Best?
Anything can serve as a winter bike, including an old road bike, a cyclocross bike, or even a mountain bike. Due to their wide tires and disc brakes, both of which are useful in challenging winter riding conditions, the best adventure and gravel bikes are becoming more and more popular.
Of course, you don’t have to buy a brand-new winter-ready item; many people keep their old bike after they get a new one with the express intention of converting it into a winter bike.
Many people swear by steel, and winter bikes typically have metal frames rather than carbon fiber ones. Given the combination of ride quality and durability, one of the best steel bikes would undoubtedly make a fine winter bike, but they are not inexpensive.
However, it’s still possible to find used vintage steel frames for a fair price. These can be transformed into wonderful winter bikes, like this lovely Mercian, and let you create a dedicated “bad weather” bike without going over budget.
Due to its affordability, aluminum is a wise choice if you’re buying brand-new. If you’re interested in learning more about metal frame materials, check out our article on the benefits of steel, aluminum, and titanium.
Of course, a carbon fiber bike is an option, but they are often more expensive, and you might not want to get them dirty.
It’s a decision that unavoidably may depend on your budget, but you could put together a respectable winter machine for £400-£500 / $450-$550, with a mix of new and used parts – and perhaps much less if you opt for an entire second hand build.
What Sort of Wheels Should You Use?
On your “main” bike, you might have the lightest, flashiest carbon fiber rimmed wheels you can afford, but your winter bike needs to have something specifically robust.
You can anticipate that your wheels will acquire a thick layer of gunk due to their direct contact with all that winter grime. For lightweight, low-spoke count carbon race wheels, winter road conditions frequently deteriorate as well.
Look for a pair with a higher spoke count and are easily serviceable. Many people keep a set of old alloy wheels specifically for this use, perhaps OEM ones that were upgraded from their main bike or ones picked up cheaply in a bike shop sale. After using them all winter, you’ll want to have access to the bearings so you can re-grease or replace them and get them ready for another stint the following winter.
Another smart move is to install tires with puncture protection and wet weather tread. At least one winter-specific model is typically offered by tire manufacturers.
What About Gears Should You Use?
The weight of a winter bike will unavoidably be greater than that of your main vehicle with all that gear on board.
You won’t be breaking any land speed records on a heavy winter bike when you take into account the weather and road conditions.
But wait until springtime to get back on your best bike and watch how quickly you ascend those accustomed climbs.
A winter bike may be equipped with lower gears to make pulling its weight up hills more comfortable.
A small chainset with 50/34 tooth rings and a wide-range cassette with a large 28 or 32-tooth low gear might be a smart choice. Some people prefer to precisely match the gears on their primary bike.
Equally, there is a school of thought that holds that keeping a winter steed simple is the best course of action. You can see a few fixed-gear or single-speed winter bikes on the roads as evidence of this. There are undoubtedly fewer parts to maintain when derailleurs are removed.
The lower or mid-range groupsets from Shimano, SRAM, or Campagnolo offer functionality and cost-effective replacement should part start to wear out, so there is little point in installing Shimano Dura-Ace on a winter bike if you’re sticking with gears.
FAQ About Winter Bike
Is It Worth Buying An Off-the-peg Winter Bike?
Winter bikes that already have mudguards are available from a number of manufacturers. These can be a good option if you have the cash. If you don’t have that kind of money, a used bike can be a good place to start.
Can I Do Without a Winter Bike?
Of course, you can; just be aware that you will inevitably have to deal with component wear, and that may turn into an expensive endeavor — possibly even a false economy.
A cheap and cheerful bike, a dependable ally in difficult circumstances, also has an element of fun. Your best bike will become even more valuable as a result, if nothing else.
How Do You Look After a Winter Bike?
Maintain your winter vehicle as you would your regular vehicle by performing regular component inspections. Pay close attention to the condition of your tires, bottom bracket, headset, and hub bearings, as well as the wear on your rims and disc brakes.
In order to operate in wet conditions, the chain and transmission parts will inevitably need to be kept well-lubricated.
In particular, if you’ve been riding on gritted/salted roads, spraying your chain with a light lube, like GT85, after a very wet ride or after washing it should keep it from rusting.
When the bike has dried out, you can wipe off the light lube and replace it with one of the best chains lubes, perhaps one with a higher viscosity since this is less likely to wash off while you’re riding.
Be aware, however, that stickier lubes have the unintended effect of drawing dirt, resulting in the formation of a black paste that wears through parts with alarming ease. If the accumulation becomes too much, you will need to degrease your chain.
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