Guide to winter bike maintenance

You could swap bikes completely for a more sturdy, durable steed to see you through the worst of the winter. This means you can save your best bike for the best conditions and prevent the salty, wet roads from corroding your more valuable components.

A winter bike is typically a steel or aluminium equivalent of the bike you ride in summer with more robust components. While some people prefer to dedicate a bike to winter, it's definitely not a necessity.

We understand that not everyone can afford a second bike for winter. So, how do you save money and winter-proof your current steed?

Scroll through our tips to winterising your bike setup to keep you rolling through the harsh weather.

First things first: get your bike running smoothly in the best possible condition. Before the proper winter weather sets in, you should book your bike in for a service. Or if you're doing it at home yourself, make sure you cover the following:

• Check that the bearings (headset, bottom bracket and seatpost) are greased properly
• Check if the brake or gear cables have stretched (if so, they'll need replacing)
• Check the drivetrain for chain wear – your chain should fit snugly into the teeth on your chainrings and rear sprockets
• Inspect your brakes and bleed them if you know how to

Being able to stop in dark, slippy and unpredictable conditions is critical. Brake pads are relatively easy to check, remove and replace. But harsh weather is no friend of brake pads, so you should check for wear and tear before and after each ride.

Rim brake pads typically wear down a lot faster than disc brake pads. This is because the rim brake pads come into direct contact with the moisture and muck from the road. Brake pads on disc brake road bikes are a little more protected from the elements, but they still wear down more in winter.

Depending on your intended miles over winter, it's a wise decision to order some spare pads in anticipation. If your pads wear down, you can be back on the road in no time at all.

A more durable winter tyre often means fewer punctures. The roads and bike paths quickly become a game of puncture roulette during winter. A set of durable tyres are your best option to avoid spending time getting cold on the side of the road.

It's never a bad idea to switch tyres for winter. Combine this with slightly wider tyres, and you'll be comfortable rolling around the wintery lanes. Double check your bike's maximum tyre clearance before buying to ensure they will fit.

Learning how to efficiently change a flat tyre will also go a long way in helping you to stay warm. Patching the tube when you're back home will mean you can reuse your tubes instead of casting them into the bin.

Want to avoid tubes all together? Tubeless tyres are a great option. Tubeless sealant fills any smaller punctures to ensure you can keep riding.

In any scenario, carrying a high quality pump will help you get back on the road quickly.

A dirty bike leads to a broken bike. Caked on muck can quickly corrode vital components and end up costing you more money in the long run. Not only that, but nobody enjoys riding a filthy bike.

Invest in good bike cleaning products and take the time to look after your bike. After a ride, wipe down your bike to get the worst of the dirt off. Once a week, do a full bike check and wash it thoroughly. All it takes is an hour or so of your time to keep your bike in good working order.

Learn how to properly clean your bike and you'll have it down to a fine art in no time.

Winter can be a cruel time of year. In remote areas and in northern cities, it can be particularly unforgiving. In some cases, you might prefer to stay at home and use the turbo trainer instead. It's safer and more efficient to do so in some cases. It also means you get out of doing some dirty bike fettling!

If you use the same bike for indoor cycling as you do outside, get yourself a set of sweat protectors to prevent your handlebars and headset from corroding. The salt in your sweat can quickly build up and work its way into hard to clean parts of your bike.

Winter takes its toll on rider and bike alike. Take the extra time to check your bike before and after your rides. Your bike and its many components will thank you for it and reward you with a long winter of discovering your local landscapes near and far.