You might have observed that you simply’re carrying extra equipment nowadays. Gone are the sweltering summer time months when, due to the minimal gear wanted, you may be into your lycra and set to go earlier than Clarke Kent could possibly be into his favorite pants-on-the-outside spandex.
However now, and for the following few months, we’ve to wrestle with tights, cranium caps, buffs and overshoes, all whereas making an attempt to not fall away from bed.
It is a related story with the bike which, similar to you, wants a bit of additional dressing up for winter. Even a gravel bike.
If you happen to’ve simply spat your tea out on the considered shelling out much more money on a motorcycle you had been informed was ‘good for winter’, I can solely apologise.
The excellent news, although, is that kitting out your gravel bike for winter duties would not should value the earth, however it is going to make an enormous distinction to your driving expertise within the chilly climate.
Let’s undergo the salient factors.
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
1. Brighten up: Lights
You is likely to be tempted to disregard this on the premise that you’ve got promised your self that the darkish evenings might be reserved just for night meals, watching telly, and when you’re feeling particularly energetic, a fast zip round Watopia.
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Completely sane, many would say (though others would say you would be lacking out). However even when that’s your stance, it is effectively price investing in a set of lights. It is shocking, in any case, how shortly the darkish can attract on a winter afternoon when it felt such as you set out in loads of time.
Many people may have a rear gentle knocking round already, and it is price becoming considered one of these at any time you count on to driving on the street. However it’s the entrance that basically issues when you’re out in the dead of night and away from the streetlights.
For a modest outlay you should buy a ‘get-you-home’ entrance unit which you can tackle any PM rides, simply in case the daylight does fail.
If a little bit of twilight and even nighttime driving does tickle your fancy nonetheless, spend a bit extra for energy upwards of 1,200 lumens and first rate battery life, add a helmet mounted auxiliary gentle when you can stretch to it, the darkness will maintain zero points.
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
2. Get a grip: Tyres
All summer time you’ve got been razzing round these dusty tracks, having fun with the velocity and the simple grip of these small-knob three-season tyres. Sadly, it is solely going to take just a few quick bends and a mouthful of mud to establish that for winter’s slippery sludge, new rubber is so as.
Positive, you may most likely muddle by to March on the identical set, tottering by each slippery nook like Bambi on ice and hoping for the very best. Possibly you’d even keep upright.
Does not sound an excessive amount of like enjoyable although.
For a modest outlay (sure, it is that ‘modest outlay’ once more, sorry), you may rating your self a set of aggressively knobbled tyres which might be going to cling on for expensive life within the bends and actually permit you to take pleasure in your driving to the max.
If you happen to’re solely driving on the delicate, off-roadiness of winter, and you do not pull too many skids, they’re going to most likely get you thru subsequent winter too.
You may experiment with completely different tread patterns, however what you are actually in search of are shoulder knobs that can hook up within the bends. From there, the extra your gravel driving might be slanted in the direction of off-road, the knobblier you may go. Full-on aggressive knobs put on quick on tarmac and cornering grip is sub-optimal, so if you are going to be taking up tarmac aplenty, go for one thing with all-round capacity.
Try our gravel tyre critiques right here.
(Picture credit score: Future)
3. Preserve it clear: Mudguards / Fenders
Sure, your gravel bike in the summertime appears to be like smooth, cool and quick in all its bare, fender-less glory. However half an hour off-road within the winter and also you and your bike are going to look extra like a few bathroom monsters with out some kind of safety.
Not cool. Not cool in any respect.
Whereas mud could also be more likely to make your accomplice mad as hell if you tramp it by the home, no less than it will not put on out your components, so to talk. The identical sadly can’t be mentioned for that pretty bike of yours, and the much less you expose issues like drivetrains and brakes to winter’s muddy grinding paste, the higher.
If you happen to’re planning on driving it primarily on tracks and trails this winter, that is simpler mentioned than achieved, as becoming a set of full size guards round a pair of fats gravel tyres can go away little in the best way of mud clearance. If you happen to intend to largely experience on the street, otherwise you run narrower (<38mm) tyres although, it could possibly be an choice although.
For the remainder of us, guards with much less protection are the apparent alternative. They’re normally comparatively easy to suit and, regardless of their obvious lack of safety, can do an excellent job of maintaining mud off each your self and your bike.
Try our critiques of the very best mudguards / fenders for gravel bikes right here.
(Picture credit score: Future)
4. Slip n slide: Chain lube
Chain lube is chain lube, proper? Nicely, not fairly. There are moist and there are dry lubes – named after the climate situations they’re designed to carry out finest in. No prizes for guessing which you want for the British winter. (It is moist, in case you had been questioning).
Not like dry lube, moist lube would not dry onto the chain and it stands up effectively to rain and splashing. Sadly, that does not imply you may simply spray a load on initially of November to see you thru until March. As a result of moist lube is stickier it additionally attracts filth, so you are going to must sustain with the upkeep.
There’s not truly an issue utilizing moist lube all-year-round (that is what I do, however shh – do not inform our Tech group). Nonetheless, when you’re at present utilizing a dry lube, which is definitely washed off on moist, splashy rides, your bike will certainly thanks for switching to the moist stuff.
Try our round-up of chain lubes right here.
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
5. Santé! Well being verify
Consider this because the equal of a spring clear in your bike, however on the reverse finish of the yr. The altering of the seasons is the best alternative to offer your machine the as soon as over, simply to make sure it is all set for 3 or 4 months of beating by the hardest situations of the yr.
Purchase your self some new cleansing utensils if mandatory, so that you are able to do the very best job. Clear as regular, paying loads of consideration to the drivetrain. Then verify your tyres, chain (you will want an affordable chain checker for this) and brake pads, and exchange as mandatory.
It is a nice alternative to improve to winter tyres (see above). You may also wish to go for sintered brake pads, as their sturdiness and stopping energy will give them the sting over natural variations in winter. As for the chain, if it appears to be like wherever close to being on the best way out, get it changed fast good to avoid wasting you the monetary ache of getting to interchange the cassette with it because of put on.
And similar to that, you are set for winter. Clearly you will want the suitable clothes too (complete ‘nother article, I am afraid), however your bike, no less than is sweet to go. Take pleasure in!
