is your best bet in winter -- especially when cars are getting stuck, the busses aren't running, and the sidewalks are a slippery mess.

In order to get through the cold winter we talked with Todd Downs, professional bike mechanic and author of The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance & Repair For Road & Mountain Bikes.

Here's his advice, plus tips from our readers.

This article is part of a wiki anyone can edit. If you have advice to add about riding in the winter, please log in and contribute.

Prep your wheels

"Having your front wheel slide out from under you in a turn or when you're trying to stop for a busy intersection is terrifying," Downs says.

Mountain bike tires, cyclocross tires, or street tires with some thick treads are a must. Don't hit the snowy roads in your sew-up street slicks.

If you live in a place where the roads freeze often or can freeze suddenly, Downs recommends you give some serious thought to investing in studded winter tires.

Keep it clean

Your biggest worry in the winter is corrosion, says Downs.

"Riding in places where the roads freeze means the DOT will be using salt, and salt is no friend to any bicycle, no matter what the frame is made of or how well-sealed the bearings are," he says.

Wipe the bike down when you get where you're going, and wash it as often as possible -- just don't leave it in the freezing garage to dry.

Once a week, degrease your chain, scrub it clean, and re-grease it. If you know what you're doing, throughly clean and repack the bearings in the hubs and the bracket at least once during the snowy season.

At the very least, keep all the moving parts clean and well-lubed. Bike lubricant doesn't just keep the parts from sticking, it also cleans and protects the parts from corrosion.

Fenders are your friends

Downs recommends investing in a set of full fenders -- "An absolute must for those slushy, sloppy days. Full fenders will not only keep the salty, oily spray off you, but they'll minimize how much gets thrown on sensitive parts of your bike like brakes, bottom bracket (the crank bearing), and headset (steering bearing) too."

Stay lit at all times

A reasonably bright, white headlight and red taillight are also a must for anyone who rides in the winter, and not just before sun-up or after dusk.

"Remember, lights aren't there just so you can see -- they're so you can be seen," Downs says.

Gear up

One of the biggest mistakes winter cyclists make when trying to stay warm is to throw on a heavy coat. It keeps the chill out, but it also keeps the heat in, making you sweat. When you stop pedaling, that sweat freezes.

Dress in thin layers, including a moisture-wicking base layer to get the sweat off your skin. Also, gloves, face masks, and a thin head covering for under your helmet. Wool outer layers are surprisingly effective. If you wear a hard shell, make sure it's breathable.

Know your machine

"The most important tool for every commuter is the same as the most important tool for every cyclist - your wits," says Downs. "Take the time to get to know your bike. Clean it, inspect it, maintain it. Just by giving your bike a quick once-over every day and a thorough inspection once every week or two will keep you from running into big problems on the road."

-- Wired's Autopia writer Jason Kambitsis contributed to this article. Special thanks to Todd Downs.

This page was last modified 19:29, 27 December 2010 by howto_admin.

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