What you Need to know About Winterizing your Gravel Bike

Perhaps you’ve noticed that you’re wearing more gear these days. You can no longer wear your lycra and be set to roll in the summer, thanks to minimal gear needed. Clarke Kent can no longer wear his pants-on-outside spandex.

But now we’re trying to avoid falling off the bed while carrying tights, skull caps, buffs, overshoes and sleeping bags.

It’s like the bike, which needs extra dressing. Gravel bikes too.

My sincerest apology to anyone who spat out their tea at the idea of spending more on a bike you had heard was ‘perfect for winter’.

You can kit out your gravel bike for winter duty without spending a lot of money – it will make a big difference to your riding experience.

Maybe you have promised yourself to only watch TV, eat dinner, and, if you’re feeling energetic, zip around Watopia in the dark evenings.

Certainly sane (though some would argue you’d miss out). Even if you hold this position, investing in lights is worth it. Despite setting out in plenty of time, it’s surprising how quickly it can get dark on a winter afternoon.

Most of us already have a rear light, and you should use it whenever you’re riding on the road. However, when the streetlights are not available, it’s the front that matters.

It is possible to buy a front unit that will ‘get you home’ if daylight fails during PM rides.

You will have no issues with darkness if you are brave enough to ride at night or twilight. You can add a helmet-mounted auxiliary light if you’re able.

Read Also: UK households urged to stock up on six food items before a snowstorm

Your small-knob three-season tyres made easy work of those dusty tracks all summer. New rubber is needed for winter’s slippery sludge after a few fast bends and a mouthful of mud.

You could probably make it through until March tottering around every slippery corner like Bambi on ice. Even if you stayed upright. Sounds fun, but not so much.

If you spend a reasonable sum (yes, that is the word again), you can get a set of knobby tyres that grip the road in the bends.

The tyres should last for next winter if you only ride in the soft, rough terrain of winter. Various tread patterns can be tried, but the most important thing is shoulder knobs that attach to bends.

Once that’s done, your gravel riding can get knobblier the more off-road you go. In case you’re taking on tarmac aplenty, choose an all-rounder over something with aggressive knobs.

Gravel bikes look sleek, cool, and fast when they’re naked and fenderless in the summer. Winter off-road riding, however, turns you and your bike into bog monsters.

While mud can make your partner nuts, they won’t wear out your parts when you tramp it through the house. It is unfortunately not true for your lovely bike, and it is best to avoid exposing components to winter’s muddy grind pastes.

Fitting mudguards to a set of fat gravel tyres may leave you with little clearance if you plan on mostly riding tracks and trails this winter. However, if you’re mainly on the road or run narrower tyres (38mm), this is an option.

Guards with less coverage are obvious choices for us. Even though they seem to lack protection, they can keep you and your bike very clean from mud.

Read Also: ‘Fortress Mountain is stoked’ about the prospect of a revival as a result of the new all-season resort legislation

Lubricant for chains is lubricant for chains, right? I wouldn’t say that. Lubricants are classified as wet or dry based on the conditions they perform best in. You can probably guess which one you’ll need for the British winter. It’s wet.

Dry lube dries on chains and becomes brittle when dampened. Wet lube is weather-resistant and does not stick on chains.

Unfortunately, you cannot just spray a load of water on at the start of November and be all set for the rest of the year. You’ll have to maintain wet lube because it’s stickier and attracts dirt.

Wet lube can be used all year round (I do it, but don’t tell our Tech team about it). When you switch to a wet lube after using a dry lube that washes away on wet, splashy rides, you’ll feel the difference.

It’s like cleaning your bike in the spring but at the opposite end of the year. It’s an excellent idea to review the status of your machine at this time of year, just to ensure it’s up to the rigours of the winter months.

Make sure your cleaning utensils are up-to-date, if necessary, to do your job well. Ensure that the drivetrain is thoroughly cleaned as usual. Lastly, check your tyres, chain (you will need a chain checker for this), and brake pads.

This is an excellent time to upgrade to winter tyres. For winter, sintered brake pads will provide the best stopping power and durability over organic ones. You should replace the chain if it looks like it is nearing failure, to avoid replacing the cassette along with it due to wear.

In no time, you’ll be ready for winter. You’ll need the right clothing as well (that’s another article altogether, I’m afraid), but at least you’ve got your bike. Let’s enjoy!

Read Also: Snowfall in British Columbia prompts early opening of Big White Ski Resort