Cycling in autumn & winter
Autumn is here and winter is approaching with great strides. Cycling in autumn and winter? Of course it's possible! But what to do? What do you have to keep in mind? Here are some tips to help you start the cold season well prepared.
With the change of season, the demands on bike and rider change. Autumn is perfect for cycling, but the season usually brings cooler and wetter weather, it gets dark sooner and there are more leaves, stones, grit, shards etc. on the roads. For this reason it is important to prepare in good time and adapt the bike to the new conditions.
SAFETY is written in capital letters - to see and to be seen
The lighting
In order to be well visible in the dark and twilight, a maintenance-free lighting technology (lighting) on the bike is particularly important. Depending on the area of use, there are various lamps and lights for better visibility. To see well yourself, a strong, well-adjusted front light is important. To be seen by other road users, reflectors and rear lights on the bike and clothing are important.
You can find bicycle lights with different power supplies here.
The clothing
The cycling clothing should of course be adapted to the weather and - best of all - be colorful and have reflectors so that the rider is clearly visible from a distance. In addition, the so-called "onion principle" has proven itself. That is, simply put on several layers and take them off again if necessary.
A rain jacket, whether hardshell or softshell, must not be missing in any case. Special cycling rain jackets are longer at the back and thus cover the buttocks better.
Rain pants also make sense, so that the thighs stay dry in the rain. Some rain pants have zippers on the legs, so you do not have to take off the shoes and an adjustable hem, so that no water from below penetrates into the pants.
Don't forget waterproof shoes, boots or overcoats to protect against wind and especially rain.
The mudguard
If not available, a mudguard for the bike is very useful.
A retrofit is easy thanks to the plug-in system and can be quickly attached to any MTB, city bike, trekking bike to the seatpost. Even on road bikes, the use of so-called mudsavers is simple and straightforward.
A larger selection is available here.
The chain
Attention is also paid to the chain, which must be cleaned again and again and regularly lubricated with a suitable bicycle chain oil. Do not use too much oil, because more dirt would stick, which in turn would lead to faster contamination. In addition, it should be an oil that is not washed off the chain too quickly when wet.
Note: Commercial WD40 or motor oil is not sufficient here. On the contrary, it harms the chain because some components volatilize and instead of making the chain supple, only a greasy film remains.
Care products for the bicycle chain
The consistency of the oil has an impact on the chain that should not be underestimated. Two options have proven themselves, each with their advantages and disadvantages.
- Viscous oil is sticky and holds well in the rain. However, it can cause dirt to accumulate and stick more quickly, which requires more frequent cleaning.
- Thinner oil on the chain is easier to clean, but it needs to be applied more often because it evaporates more quickly (especially in the rain).
To protect the bearing from the penetration of moisture and dirt, they should be treated with special bearing grease. Clean sprockets, chainrings and idler pulleys with grease. Let the agent act briefly and then wipe with a cloth, possibly remove the rear wheel beforehand, so that the oiling is easier.
The brakes
The brakes should also be checked regularly. The brake pads and surfaces should still have enough brake material and your brake cables should be adjusted so that the brakes do not have to be applied all the way.
The tires
To increase the grip of the tires on wet surfaces and to have optimal grip, it makes sense to ride with lower air pressure and - if possible - wider, "coarser" tires (tire profile). Make sure that your tires have no hairline cracks and still have sufficient tread. For driving in the snow, spiked tires are a good choice.
CLEANING brings advantages
Cleaning should also not be neglected during the cooler season. Here, the products of Muc Off have proven themselves for cleaning. The wheel should (continue to) be cleaned and freed from dirt & grime again and again, as it is exposed to heavier dirt in the fall. In particular, the rims and brake pads must be constantly checked, cleaned or replaced.
How to properly maintain and clean your bike you will find here.
In summary, here are all the tips for the cooler season:
- Functioning lighting: Visibility brings safety
- Functional clothing: Use the onion principle
- Regular check (inspection) of brakes and drivetrain
- Regular cleaning of wheel, chain & Co
- Treaded tires with correct pressure for good grip
If you need more tips or help, you can find more information about the bike settings in the Info Center under Assembly & Setup Help.
If you prefer to train at home in the warm in winter, you can find more training tips here. A perfect alternative are the so-called roller trainers. Learn more about this topic in our blog post.