Winter is a challenging season for cyclists and their bikes. The colder months bring wet roads, salty grit, and freezing temperatures that can all take a toll on your bike.
To help tackle the season, Robbie, one of our senior mechanics, has pulled together his top tips to get your bike ready for winter.
With the right preparation and basic bike maintenance, you can keep your bike running smoothly and enjoy riding no matter the weather.
In this guide, Robbie covers:
Our workshop sees a variety of winter-related bike issues that may have been avoided with a little extra care.
Here are the most common culprits:
Winter wetness and grime can cause bike components like gears, bolts, pedals and chains to seize. Once stuck, these can be tricky and expensive to fix.
Mud, salt, and water can find their way into bearings, causing wear and making them grind or fail prematurely.
Bike chains are especially vulnerable in winter. Without regular cleaning and lubrication, they can rust and wear out faster, impacting your drivetrain.
Salt and grime can seize or clog up your bike’s gear system, making it harder to shift smoothly and reducing overall performance.
Salt from the roads can be highly corrosive. If left unchecked, it can cause irreversible damage to your bike’s frame and components.
Regular checks and basic bike maintenance can prevent winter issues and extend your bike’s lifespan.
We recommend cyclists make it a habit to check the following before and after each ride:
E-bikes require special attention in winter to avoid common cold-weather issues.
Cold weather can take a toll on your battery, cutting its performance by up to 25%. If you can, try storing your battery indoors on cold nights and warming it up before you head out. A simple trick is to switch on your e-bike a few minutes before your ride - this lets the battery heat up naturally.
Charging a cold battery isn’t ideal, especially in freezing temperatures. The cold can stop the charge from moving freely inside the battery, resulting in it not being able to fully charge properly.
If you’re not riding for a week or more, don’t leave the battery fully charged. Keeping it somewhere around one-third to two-thirds charged is usually the sweet spot.
Keep your e-bike as dry as you can, as moisture can fog up the controllers and affect performance. Make sure it’s stored in a well-ventilated space to avoid damage from car fumes, machinery, or chemicals nearby.
Even when stored, you should check for rust, moisture build, tyre pressure and brakes. If you notice any problems, bring it in to see our team for a tune-up.
Winter riding demands extra diligence in bike care. Here’s how to keep your bike in tip top condition:
When it comes to winter cycling, small upgrades can have a big impact on your comfort, safety, and bike performance.
From mudguards to winter tyres and high-powered lights, our recommended upgrades are designed to help you tackle the season’s toughest conditions with ease.
Mudguards protect both you and your bike from water, mud, and whatever else that gets splashed up from wet rides.
They help keep your drivetrain cleaner, reducing wear on components caused by grit and salt, and make post-ride cleaning so much easier.
Plus, they prevent you from getting soaked and muddy, keeping you more comfortable during rides in harsh winter months.
If you ride a road or gravel bike, the SKS Raceblade Mudguard Set is a great option as it can be easily installed and adapted to wrap close to the wheel.
For almost any mountain bike, the Rapid Racer Products ProGuard comes in a range of fitments to either bolt in place or secure with zip ties.
Winter-specific bike tyres are a must for tackling slippery, wet, or icy conditions. They offer better grip and stability thanks to their deeper tread patterns and softer rubber compounds, which are designed to handle cold and wet surfaces.
Upgrading your bike tyres can reduce the risk of punctures, as they’re built with added durability to withstand sharp debris and rough roads.
For road bikes, we recommend the Pirelli P Zero 4S, a four season tyre that is a great all rounder to provide grip and comfort in wetter conditions.
For mountain bikes, Maxxis Shorty tyres are a winter riders favourite, featuring wide spaced tread patterns that allow mud to clear and more bite in looser mud.
Upgrading to winter tyres can improve your bike's performance and durability in harsh conditions, offering better grip and resistance to wear.
Look for bike tyres that have been designed for wider, grippier tyres and made from materials that can withstand wet, salty, and muddy environments without corroding.
Upgrading your bike lights for winter is crucial for staying visible and safe during darker mornings and evenings.
Standard bike lights like the CatEye AMPP range offer various lumen options perfect for commuting or casual night rides.
For those who demand top performance, exposure lights are ideal for off-road trails and serious night riding.
Best-sellers like the Maxx D and Diablo provide exceptional brightness and durability, ensuring you’re ready for any winter adventure.
For more information on bike lighting check out our blog on hitting the trails in the dark.
Protecting your bike from winter’s harsh elements is essential, and there are several effective ways to do so.
If your road bike is your pride and joy, why not expand your horizons with the exciting world of gravel biking? Perfect for tackling the elements, gravel bikes are built to handle winter’s toughest challenges with their durable frames and wider tyres.
This winter, we’d recommend the Trek Checkpoint ALR that features disc brakes for excellent stopping power, mounts for mudguards, and tubeless-ready rims - making it an ideal companion for winter adventures!
At Big Bear Bikes, we offer services to keep your bike performing its best during winter.
A winter bike service can address worn parts, clean out grime, and prepare your bike for the months ahead. Visit our bike workshop to get your bike winter-ready!
Winter cycling doesn’t have to mean endless struggles with maintenance and repairs. With a little preparation and regular care, you can keep your bike in excellent condition all season.
From lubing your chain to upgrading your tyres, our tips will help you ride through winter with confidence.
And if outdoor winter riding isn’t your thing, set up an indoor trainer to keep your fitness on track through the season.
Gear up, stay safe, and enjoy the ride, whatever the weather throws your way!
