Let’s face it – most people would always prefer cycling in the long, warm days that summer brings, but this doesn’t mean that cycling in winter has to be any less enjoyable. With the right preparation and equipment, winter cycling can be just as fun. Here’s our guide to help you get the most out of road cycling over the colder months.
Winter Bike
First and foremost, if you plan on winter cycling, you’re going to need a bike! Many keen cyclists will swear by having a dedicated winter bike, the idea being that your ‘best’ bike can be kept for the summer months when there isn’t as much salt, grit, water etc on the roads that can quite quickly destroy expensive components. A winter bike is normally cheaper and of a lower spec than most riders summer bikes.
However, always remember – just because it’s a winter bike, it doesn’t mean you can neglect it. Pay attention to the components, keep the bike clean and well maintained to ensure hassle-free riding all winter long.
Bike set up
An advantage of having a dedicated winter bike is that you can spec it to suit the conditions you expect to ride in, rather than swapping components around on one bike. Here we look at what components you might want to think about having on your winter steed:
Mudguards
Mudguards are a winter essential and there are numerous benefits to using them. Firstly, they offer some protection for your bike from the spray of the road, reducing the amount of corrosive salt and grit landing on the bike.
Secondly, they offer significant protection for you as the rider, as they will reduce the amount of muck thrown up from the wheels. By fitting a good set of mudguards you’re not going to get wet from water spraying up from your wheels meaning you can stay dry and warm for the duration of your ride. Plus, if you’re riding with a group, it stops them from getting wet from water spraying off your back wheel! It’s also an important safety aspect – spray in a riders face can cause visibility problems which is something you definitely want to avoid, especially when in a group. Trust us, any fellow cyclists aren’t going to want to ride with you in winter if you haven’t got mudguards.
If you’ve got a dedicated winter bike then the chances are it will already have mudguard eyelets, allowing you to fit heavy-duty mudguards that will offer complete coverage. If not, then there are plenty of clip-on mudguards options available. However, do ensure you’ve got enough tyre clearance and checked compatibility before committing to any purchase.
Tyres
As the only contact point between the road and your bike, making the right tyre choice in winter is very important. We would suggest a hard-wearing tyre, with suitable tread for grip on wet roads and a high level of puncture protection. Something like the Gavia Fondo 0 would be ideal.
Lower tyre pressure results in a bigger surface area on the road, increasing the amount of grip available
A common trick is running slightly wider tyres than normal – 28mm or above would be ideal. We’d also recommend going tubeless; the advantages include reduced risk of punctures and being able to run them at lower pressures, which improves the contact area between the tyre and the road, increasing the amount of grip at your disposal.
Lights
As the days in winter are shorter, a good quality set of bike lights are vital for safety. Very bright LED lights are now small, lightweight and don’t have to break the bank so there really is no excuse not to have them.
We’d suggest one on the front of the bike and at least one on the rear. Flashing lights are advised because they catch people’s eye so you’re more likely to be seen. We offer a range of lights in a range of different lumens for all types of riding. You can read our full guide to lights for more information.
Clothing
Perhaps the most important aspect to consider before heading out during the winter months is what you’re wearing. Making the right choices can make or break a ride, no matter how wet or cold the weather gets – as the old saying goes, ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’.
One word that’s key when it comes to clothing for winter riding – layers.
By wearing layers, you have options should the weather change and you begin to warm up. Furthermore, wearing layers can be a really good value way of staying warm – you don’t necessarily need winter specific clothing if you use your existing wardrobe to layer correctly.
Every outfit should start with a good quality moisture-wicking