Now that winter is here, it’s important to know how to take care of your bike when you ride it in extreme conditions. There are certain bike accessories that are important to use, to improve handling and prevent accidents, as well as to solve any potential problems on the road.

In the rain, punctures are considerably more common than in the dry. It has to do with the way the litter accumulates, which usually have patterns that the rider is not used to. The result requires at least one patch kit, because it can be messy and miserable to patch a tire when things are wet and you have to walk to the nearest pump. A spare tube is by far the easiest option when pouring cats and weasels. For this, bring bike accessories like a wrench if you don’t have quick release wheels, as well as a butter knife to get the tire off the wheel. Also, it can be helpful to try to get away from the sidewalk, where debris often accumulates, and closer to tire tracks on the road, as long as there are no cars around.

In the snow, don’t be afraid to take a different route. Major roads that are normally too busy for bikes are often the only ones clear after a storm, which means more careful drivers and more room for cyclists. If you see a rough patch, don’t be afraid to dismount and walk a few blocks; it’s better than taking a spill.

When you get home, clean your bike and lube the chain. If the heart of the bicycle is the chain, the water is the cholesterol. There are specific types of lubricants that work well in wet conditions – they are stickier and will help keep the chain turning without clicking or knocking.

When it comes to protecting yourself against the elements, you want to keep your face, hands, core, and feet warm, as these are the areas of the body that drain heat the fastest. If you’re driving at night, think of a flashing light, which will alert cars to your presence and help you avoid obstacles.

In general, riding a bike in the winter will take a bigger toll on your bike than riding a bike in the summer, but if you take care of it properly and maintain it well, you shouldn’t have much to worry about – bike maintenance is still much cheaper. what gas