How do I make my bike fit for winter ?

Make your bike winterproof

Kategorien: Bicycle Tours Hobby Sport

Especially in busy cities the bicycle becomes an indispensable companion. If you also use this practical means of transport, whether on the way to work or in your free time, you will certainly appreciate the advantages of a bicycle. But what to do if you don't want to do without your bike even in winter, in snow and ice? How to prepare your bike well for the cold days, you will learn in the following text.
How do I make my bike fit for winter ? / a bicycle on the cycle path© mikdam / depositphotos

1. you should make these preparations
In order for your bike to survive ice and snow without damage, you should winterize it early enough to be able to ride safely. Therefore, pay attention to the weather forecast as early as possible and take about one hour for maintenance. You should also collect the following tools or buy them in advance:

Phillips and slotted screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, a set of open-end wrenches, combination pliers (with a cutting surface), a cleaner for your bicycle and last but not least lubricant or an air pump.

First check whether there is any serious damage to your bike (for example to the rims). If so, you may have to take your bike to a specialist first, as such repairs are difficult to be carried out by laymen. If you already have the tools and all utensils at home, it will be almost "free" for you to arm your bike against ice and snow, but otherwise you can buy special tool sets at low prices.

2. checking your bike
So that winter can come without hesitation and doesn't stop you from doing sports or leisure activities, you now have to check your wire. To do this, place your bike upside down on the handlebars and saddle. So you have unhindered access to wheels, mudguards, etc. Make sure you have enough light and have your tools ready when needed.

First check the wheels of your bike. Can they turn freely without dragging or "hanging" anywhere? Then everything is okay, there should be enough air in the tire and no other damages should be visible. If the tyres grind against the mudguard, for example, you can first try to bend this weak spot away by hand.

If you have sufficient knowledge, you can also remove the brackets and straighten them with a vice. Pay attention to the screwed connections on the wheels or mudguards: depending on the condition of the wheel, it can't hurt to have new screws in stock, as they can break when unscrewing.

3. the tyres
Unfortunately there are no special tyres for winter, ice or snow for the bicycle. Therefore your tyres must be in top condition. Porous tires should of course be replaced immediately or smaller areas treated with a repair kit. If the damage is too great, you should get a new spare tube or bike coat. The corresponding numbers for this can be read on the jacket. Depending on the tube and the bicycle casing and whether one tyre or both tyres are damaged, you can calculate with a sum of about 100 Euros. With a little skill you can attach the tube and jacket to the bike yourself.

4. don't forget the light, gears and brakes
In order to equip your bike completely for winter, ice and snow, you should also take care of brakes, lights and gears. If necessary the brake pads should be replaced, you can see from extra markings on the brakes whether they need to be replaced. Brake pads are already available for a few euros and are relatively easy to install.
How do I make my bike fit for winter ? / a man makes his bike winterproof© anatoliy_gleb / depositphotos

It is best to take a photo of the brakes before replacing them so that you know which part belongs where. You can grease the brakes and pads with a little train grease. Also take care of your lighting, replace broken bulbs and check the cables or the plug connections, if necessary they must be reattached. The same applies to the gearshift when you are out and about for sport or leisure.


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