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If there is snow and ice for several days, the road surface is usually completely rutted and bumpy - even if the cycle paths are cleared. The only thing that helps here are tyres with maximum thickness, reduced air pressure and a lower gear than usual so that there is always enough thrust. 29er tyres with spikes are ideal: we have had very good experiences with the Collect Schwalbe Marathon Winter in 50-622. With up to 240 studs, it has enough studs distributed all round and coarse lugs that provide good lateral guidance and traction. It also rolls relatively smoothly on dry tarmac and accelerates well. Take your bike with you when you buy studded tyres and choose the maximum possible tyre width that fits without causing any stripes. The general rule in snowy conditions is: Closer to the ground! Lower your centre of gravity by lowering the saddle and, if possible, the handlebars. This makes it easier to balance laterally, you can support yourself with your feet in case of doubt and the front wheel develops more grip and better tracking. The riding technique also changes: sitting a little more centred and compact, you can ride more safely over slippery ground. A slipping front wheel can often still be cushioned by shifting more weight to the handlebars. Always ride with traction on the chain and brake sensitively. Disc brakes are ideal, V-brakes and Magura rim brakes even tend to fail when in contact with snow and icy rim flanks. Don't rush in winter. Deal with the adversities with confidence. It doesn't have to be love at first sight.
Protective film for the bike
Salt water and caked-on snow are poison for all metal parts on the bike. But preventive protection is possible: the Brunox Turbo Spray When applied sparingly, it is a kind of universal solution. It has a lubricating effect, displaces water and has good creeping properties. It is therefore ideal for protecting chains, sprockets and chainrings as well as anodised and polished aluminium surfaces from corrosion. All electrical contacts on the bike also benefit from it.
Cold cream - cream for cold days
Wind chill easily cools the temperature on uncovered skin by a further 3 to 5 degrees - unpleasant and often painful, and in extreme cases can result in partial frostbite of the skin. A low-water, high-fat protective cream insulates the sensitive areas, protects against the cold and prevents the skin surface from drying out. Weleda's cold cream contains almond and peanut oil, beeswax and fragrant essential oils.
Mobile heating pads against cold feet
Thermopadscontain a mixture of natural, non-toxic substances such as iron powder, salt and activated charcoal. When the packaging is torn open, oxygen is added and the powdery mixture in the fleece bag heats up to 37 to a maximum of 45° Celsius. The heat release remains active for 5 to 12 hours. Simply put it in your jersey pocket, shoes or gloves. Disposal is possible with the residual waste. There are, for example, toe warmers, sole warmers and hand warmers.
Lighting
If you have to pass totally dark sections on your cycle route, a helmet light will make you a much safer rider. It provides light exactly where the eye is looking. This makes it easier to spot unlit pedestrians or loose dogs with a quick sideways glance. BIKE tested 9 helmet lights. However, a helmet light does not replace the front light.
Kidney protection
When it's very cold, the primary aim is to protect particularly sensitive areas of the body. Then you quickly feel cosy and snug. This primarily includes the extremities, but also the head, wrists and kidney area. A kidney warmer protects against cold and draughts in the critical kidney area. A belt like this is a good recommendation, especially for sensitive people who tend to catch colds easily. When buying a belt, you should ensure that it is easy to use and easy to put on. Stretchability increases comfort.
Is the Gates belt suitable for winter without any problems?
The Gates belt has won many fans as a low-maintenance chain alternative. However, there is always criticism and concerns: Mostly it's about the fear that the belt could suddenly jump off under load. An unexpected kick into the void is fatal when cycling - a fall would be highly likely. Since the belt, unlike a self-centring chain, requires an even contact surface across its entire width, a sprocket or chainring clogged with ice and snow residue could actually cause the teeth to run up and lever the belt off to the side. This effect is known from derailleur gears: If a sprocket set is completely iced up, the chain no longer engages and the shifting is paralysed.
Gates has equipped all variants of the Carbondrive system with the Centertrack centre groove. In addition, the drive pulleys have a milled profile that tapers towards the bottom. This allows the belt teeth to push snow, ice and dirt out of the sprockets.
However, you should use a wooden spatula or toothpick to remove slush and pieces of ice from an icy groove and sprocket before the mass freezes overnight.
We have tested various bikes with Gates drives through several winters, including very snowy ones, in daily use. The conclusion: Gates drives run safely and without skipping, even in snow and ice. The laterally inclined chamfering of the tooth pockets on the sprocket and chain wheel and the depth of the centre track are sufficient to prevent blockages and allow the belt to engage securely, even in sub-zero temperatures that last for days.
Wheel tuning in snow & ice
A few simple steps will get you and your bike through the cold season.
1. centre of gravity down
On slippery cycle paths, optimised weight distribution is a great help: lower your seat post by about 1-2 centimetres. This will help you to get your feet on the ground when skidding. Reduce the tyre pressure to the lower tolerance limit - more contact area increases grip.
2. turn the stem round
Open the stem and handlebar clamp of your Ahead stem and mount it upside down. This lowers the handlebars slightly. This will increase the contact pressure on the front wheel, which will then start to slip later on snow and ice.
3. replace screws
Rusted screws on add-on parts can be replaced with screws made of V2A stainless steel. Ensure that the thread pitches and lengths are the same and grease the threads before screwing them in. Caution: Screws on the seat post and stem that are subject to tensile stress must not be replaced.
4. grow spoke holes
The surface of a rim is usually painted or anodised. However, the unprotected inside of spoke holes can be a gateway for corrosion caused by salt water. A drop of liquid wax (e.g. Chain wax from Hanseline) seals the gap between nipple and rim.
