Jo Taylor | Tue 2nd Jul 2019 11:28
You can still ride your bike comfortably in winter! All you need is the right gear and to ensure your bike is ready for wet, muddy conditions. Here's our guide for riding during the colder months.
Winter brings fresh challenges for mountain bikers, so the right clothing and gear can really enhance your time on the trails, keeping you warm and dry without being overpoweringly hot. Each year, new products are hitting the market. You’ll now find jackets with zips under the arms, giving you the best of both worlds once you heat up, and winter clothes that are surprisingly breathable and water-resistant.
Just set up your bike for the conditions, dress appropriately (adding a good jacket and gloves to your favourite winter staples) and you’re good to go!
A good MTB jacket is one of the best winter riding investments you can make. Ideally, it should have a slightly roomy fit so that you can move around easily and comfortably on your bike. You’ll want something that keeps you warm without overheating or holding moisture, so look for breathability and waterproofing.
Short-sleeved, long-sleeved, what counts is warmth, comfort and layering where needed. Warmth isn’t necessarily about layers or garment thickness, it’s about what keeps you dry as you heat up and the weather cools down. Look for fast-wicking materials because these are better at keeping you dry.
Proper mountain bike shorts offer greater on-the-bike comfort and durability than standard options. If you want to take it a step further in winter, look for products that repel mud and water.
What do you value more – warmth or feeling exactly what your bike is doing through the handlebars? A thinner, full-finger glove will give you those bar-feel sensations while providing basic protection against wind and cooler temperatures. If warmth is what you want, look for a glove with a fleecy inner and a softshell outer that repels rain and mud.
Don’t forget to protect your peepers! Bike-specific glasses, with clear lenses for darker forest areas, are a good dust-and-mud barrier on the trails, whereas goggles will give you more protection at high speeds on downhill or enduro trails.
Your all-year staples should be fine across winter. Whether you use clip-ins or flats, the important thing is that your shoes are bike-specific, giving that all-important grip and stability on your pedals. And if they get wet, just fill them with paper and plonk them near a heater. A back-up pair can be a worthwhile investment if you’re regularly riding in wet weather.
Good cycling socks are less prone to waterlogging, keeping your feet warmer while you focus on your ride. Look for wool or quick dry materials.
A front light brings freedom if you’re keen for a playful pedal outside of daylight hours.
On the road, it’s important to be seen… but be mindful that a powerful bike light can temporarily blind drivers. On the trails, it’s about riding to see, and brighter is better in the forest. It’s best to have at least 1500-2000 lumens if you only have one light, but there are options that go upwards of 4000-plus lumens. The beauty of a bright light is that you can usually put it on a lower setting, extending its battery life and leaving others with their vision intact. Some lights will also tell you how much time is left before the battery goes flat.
A light that can mount to your helmet will make it easier to see around corners (especially useful on trails), whereas handlebar beams will point straight ahead. Or buy one for your helmet and one for your handlebars for the ideal pairing. If you ride on the road at night, you’ll also need a red, rear light. A model that attaches to your seat or seatpost can be a good option because it points out towards the traffic. The key thing is that your light is unobscured and relatively bright.
Good winter tyres will help keep your bike planted in the damp and slop. As for tyre choice, it depends what type of riding you’re doing and the terrain at your favourite locations. In a nutshell, look for tyres with bigger, widely-spaced knobs because these tend to give better traction and shed mud more effectively.
Mudguards are good for you and your steed! They’ll decrease the amount of mud splatter on your clothes and your bike fork stanchions (the “legs” of its forks). Mud in your suspension seals is bad news, so a good mudguard can help protect your suspension and extend the time between services.
Some chain lubes suit summer conditions, others excel in winter because they’re better at repelling water and all the muck that will inevitably get on your chain. Think wet lube for wet weather and dry lube for dry weather, or a wet-dry combo. Talk to the staff at your local Evo Cycles store if you’re unsure.
It’s not just the chain you’re protecting, good care will also help protect the associated parts in the drive-train, assisting with their longevity, and reducing wear and tear.
Cleaning your bike is crucial. The last thing you want is to put it in the garage, wet and covered in mud/grit, then pull it out later to find the chain is rusty. After every damp ride, you should at least clean the chain and cogs. Remove any grit, then dry and re-lube your chain.
Need we say more? Riding in damp gear increases the likelihood of chafing, so anti-chafing cream will help prevent groin and posterior discomfort, especially during wet weather or longer days in the saddle.
A warm-up gel for muscles can help reduce the risk of injury on cooler days. It can also help you feel more comfortable when setting off in the cold.
A good protection spray, such as Muc-Off Fabric Protect, will help your clothes and shoes retain their waterproofing qualities over time.
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