Winter Bike Maintenance

In winter, make sure your tyres are in good shape, changing a flat with frozen fingers is no fun.


Bicycling Staff |

Common Knowledge

In winter, make sure your tyres are in good shape, changing a flat with frozen fingers is no fun. Also, run a heavier chain lube than you do in summer – I like Pedro’s Ice Wax, 60ml (R60, 011 627 5080 pedros.com) – and reapply it whenever you wash the bike or the drivetrain sounds dry. Because you lube the rollers, not the links, you can hear a dry chain before you see it – a smooth-running bike is nearly silent.

Uncommon Wisdom

You can wash a bike in winter, but be sure to wear rubber gloves to keep your hands dry and warm. I cut a water bottle in half and pour degreaser into it. Then, using a two-inch-wide paintbrush, I paint degreaser onto the chain, chainrings, deraileurs, brakes and other moving parts.

I like Pedor’s Oranj Peelz, get the Pedro’s Bike Care Kit that includes, a bike polish, degreaser, chain-cleaning brush and lube (R350). Paint it on, then fill a bucket with warm, soapy water (dish soap is fine) while the degreaser works for a few minutes. Rinse off the degreaser completely with a hose, then wash the bike with warm, soapy water. Rinse it again, then put it inside to dry. Then lube all the parts on your bike that move.

Joe Lindsey
Some simple tips to keep you rolling throughout winter.
Winter bike maintenance

 

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