Winter is already here, and this is the time of year when you may need to take a little extra care of your bicycle than usual. Rain, snow, cold, salt, and mud can cause difficulties while riding.

Maintaining your bicycle can extend its lifespan. Here are our best tips on how to best take care of your bike until spring:

1. Keep it clean

Sounds easy enough, right? After finishing a freezing and wet ride, it’s very easy to take care of yourself instead of your bike by going inside to warm up or take a shower, while your bike remains dirty and muddy outside. Maintaining your bike during winter will make it easier to spot any mechanical defects and prevent dirt buildup on components, which will eventually wear them out.

Take 5-10 minutes after each ride to wipe/wash off the mud and dirt covering your bike. Once a week, spend a little more time washing and thoroughly cleaning your bike. It might be a hassle at the moment, but trust us, it will save you a lot of time and money in the long run!

2. Use fenders

They may not be the most attractive bike accessories you’ll have, but you will definitely be grateful for them. Fenders will protect you and make winter cycling more enjoyable for you. Not only will your colleagues be thankful, but so will your bike!

3. Prevent punctures

Tire punctures always happen at the worst unexpected times, and although they are inevitable when cycling, they can be prevented. Regular checks, tire inflation, and keeping a spare repair kit will prepare you for this.

Check out our repair kits here:

Weldtite Repair Kit for Fat Tires	Weldtite Universal Repair Kit

4. Let there be light

Whether you prefer the cold conditions of a morning commute or are just starting to train for winter, the short days and dark nights mean it’s time to invest in good lights.

You can check out our selection of Knog front and rear lights here: https://dragzone.bg/knog

5. Carry the essentials

By Murphy’s law, if something bad happens to you over the weekend, it will probably be when you are farthest from home. That’s why it’s a great idea to carry a first aid kit with you.

Do you have other tips for the winter months? We would love to hear them in the comments!