Winter Riding Tips

Winter gear

Like it or not, winter is basically upon us, which means more time in darker, colder, and wetter riding conditions. Whether you are a seasoned winter rider or just starting out, investing in winter-specific gear can make a big difference for the comfort and safety of you and your passengers. Here’s a few items we recommend:

Studded tires

Studded tires are special winter tires that in addition to having a grippy rubber tread, have little metal spikes to help dig in and increase traction on hard-pack snow and ice. You can install studded tires on both the front and the rear, or just the front tire.

Riders who invest in studded tires will ride them in the winter and then switch back to all-rubber tires in the spring. In Washington state, cars are limited to only being allowed studded tires Nov 1 - March 31 every year. While nothing suggests bicycles are subject to the same restrictions, it is unnecessary to ride studs on dry pavement, and will damage both the tires and the roads,. By riding studded tires seasonally, you can get many years out of your investment in a set of studded tires.

Studded tires are available in sizes appropriate for most of the bikes we sell from Schwalbe and other brands. It is wise to size down slightly in the width when switching to studded tires. For example, the max tire size on the Tern GSD is 2.40” wide, and we recommend the 2.15” studded tire size. For more tips, see Tern’s article on studded tires for the first generation GSD; the same ones fit on the second generation as well!

If studded tires seem too much, switching to a grippier or all-season rubber tire can also increase traction, or even just dropping the pressure in your present tires slightly can increase traction. This also increases rolling resistance slightly and the chance of getting a pinch flat, but it may be worth trying out 5psi or so lower than your usual pressure.

Canopies

For box bikes and more recently, for mid- and long-tail cargo bikes as well, canopies are a winter essential to keeping your passengers dry, warm, and happy. 

For box bikes, Riese&Müller makes canopies for the Load 60 and 75. BlaqPaks in Portland makes aftermarket canopies for the old R&M Packster 60 and 80, and the Larry vs Harry Bullitt. 

For mid- and long-tails, Yuba makes the PopTop which fits their bikes with the Adjustable Monkey bars installed. Tern makes the Storm Shield, which fits their GSDs with the Clubhouse or Clubhouse Plus installed. 

Visibility Gear

With less natural light, investing in lights and reflective gear can help make winter riding safer and more palatable. We’ve got Safety Pizzas in stock, as well as some basic reflective 3M strips for making the frame more visible. While e-bikes largely have integrated headlight and tail-lights, there may be options available to upgrade to brighter lights, or there is always the option to pick up some USB-rechargeable extra lights for your helmet or canopy for extra visibility.

Cold Weather Clothes

Dressing for the wet and cold temperatures is a must! We don’t sell clothes here at G&O -- any outdoor gear will do. Bike-specific clothes can be nice but are by no means necessary. There are many different strategies, from wearing waterproof outer layers to stay dry, or just bundling up in wool and embracing the damp. It is all your preference, and your strategy may change depending on if you are riding an e-bike or not, or if you can change when you get to where you are going. Tern has a nice article on general winter riding tips, including some tips on how to dress. Bar mitts, waterproof socks, shoe covers, and carrying extra hand warmers may all be worth exploring as well.

My personal tip is: always bring an extra pair of mittens/gloves. I love nothing more than when the rain stops mid-ride, and I can break out a pair of dry mittens.

Tips & considerations for your bike in winter

In this part of the world, winter riding considerations are mostly about preparing yourself for a cold and damp prolonged outdoor experience. But what about your bicycle, are there any special considerations for your bicycle? 

When I worked in Boston, I often saw frozen brake and shift housing, frozen freewheels, and frozen u-locks, as well as endemic galvanic corrosion (that is, the corrosion that leads to seizing between two unlike metals) thanks to heavily-salted slushy roads. Lucky for us, we do not really see temperatures that are so low as to impact the mechanical functioning of your bicycle, nor has salt as big of an impact here. 

A couple e-bike specific winter tips though: While it is fine (encouraged!) to ride your electric-assist bicycle all winter long, cold temperature can decrease the available range from your battery. Many of us are familiar with this phenomenon from when our phones suddenly die in the cold! Consider leaving yourself more time for traveling at a lower assist level, and additionally, and potentially also in worse road conditions.

Additionally, optimal storage and charging temperature for the battery is at room temperature. Bosch specifies between 32 - 68 degrees F (0 - 20 degrees C) for their batteries. Storage or charging in a climate outside this range can shorten the overall lifespan on the battery, so after a cold (or hot!) ride, consider bringing the battery inside and allow it to acclimate to room temperature before charging. Almost all e-bike batteries can be removed from the bicycle fairly easily if you do not have room for the entire bike in your living space or office.

Lastly, in winter, a little home maintenance is more important for keeping your bicycle running smoothly for longer.  Keeping your chain lubricated but free from dirt will keep it shifting smoothly and lengthen its life. On my bike, I like to run a lightweight lube, and reapply often since it gets washed away, but others will choose a heavier lube that may need to be cleaned of the dirt it picks up from the street. Inflate your tires at least every two weeks, especially if you are opting to run lower pressure for increased traction

Happy winter riding!