Cooler weather has set in across the country, and winter is right around the corner. Taking care of your bike during the colder time of year becomes even more important. Roads are often wet or damp, which means they are covered in dirt, mud, grit. Mix all of this together and the road muck gets sprayed all over you and your bike.

It’s worth investing in your protection level and increasing your maintenance regimen for winter cycling. We scoured our favorite sites and local businesses to find the best tips and tricks to keep your bike running smoothly this winter.  (See bike shop links below for purchases)

• Bike Fenders/Mudguards – This should be high on your winter trick list to keep yourself cleaner and drier. Fenders not only keep the wet off you but your bike too, avoiding the constant spray of dirty water from the front wheel caking the bottom of your down tube with grime.  The wet will also wash over your chain and bottom bracket and find its way into your headset bearings. Not only will that wash lubricants off them, risking rusting and premature wear, but road grit will stick to them increasing wear. In the worst case, you can end up with an abrasive paste that will wreck your components. 

Fender recommendations: If you have mounts for fenders and mudguards, we recommend Planet Bike Fenders.  If you don't have mounts, we recommend Topeak's extensive range of clip-on fenders.

• Use an “Ass Saver” – Pardon the language, but this is the tradename for a wide range of clip-on fenders and mudguards. They often fit to the back of the saddle rails and help keep mud and wet off your back and seat. There are designs that clip to the seat post too and similar options that will protect you from front wheel-spray. Ass Savers will help keep you a bit cleaner and drier, but won’t do much to protect your bike from road muck.  Ask your local bike shop if they carry Ass Savers.

• Keep your drivetrain clean - Keeping your chain, cassette, derailleurs and chainwheels clean and lubricated is the single most important thing you can do to keep your bike running smoothly and efficiently over the winter. You should regularly degrease the chain, to remove any build up of debris.  Running the chain through the cleaner’s brushes will remove much of the gunk that can accumulate over winter. You can follow that up by using a brush to clean the cassette, derailleur jockey wheels and chainrings.  Wipe the chain dry, then apply a thin layer of good chain lube.  Be sure to lubricate any exposed lengths of cable if you don't have internal cable routing, touch up the rear derailleur, and don't forget any pivot points.

Lubricant recommendation:  Sand Sport Brothers Lubricant.

• Wash your bike – It is important to keep your frame clean too, so that delicate parts don’t get clogged up or corroded. It’s something you should do after a longer ride, before you put your bike away, or if you’re using your bike every day, once a week. You can buy specialized bike cleaning brushes to help get at awkward places like wheel hubs and between spokes.  It's worth giving your bike a washdown with a specialized bike wash to help remove grease and dirt effectively.

Bike wash recommendation:  Sand Sport Bike Wash.

• Keep it under cover - When you’re not using your bike, keep it under cover to greatly increase the chances of it running smoothly. Exposure to rain will quickly wash lubricant off the chain and cause it to rust and will degrade performance of other components too. If you don’t have access to a shed or garage and limited on space, check out the link in our bio for suggestions on bike hooks.

Bike cover recommendation:  PRO Bike Cover

Bike hook recommendation:  PDW Hooptie Hook Bike Hanger

Please consider supporting your local bike shop for purchases!

Rock n Road Cyclery – 4 locations

The Cyclery Bike Shop

Fullerton Bicycle

The Cyclist Bike Shop

Incycle – 5 locations

RAD Bikes

Barcelo Bicycles

Red Rock Bicycle Company – Utah

Just Ride LA

GIANT-Santa Monica