Winter is here. So too is the rain and mud we associate with it. Make sure you prepare your bike properly and you’ll find yourself much more inclined to get out riding. Photo: Billy Thackray

The trouble with riding through the winter, with all that mud, rain and potentially ice and snow, is the damage such conditions can do to your pride and joy. However, with a few precautions there’s nothing to stop you smiling right through the winter and enjoying every muddy mile of it.

Keep it clean!

An obvious one this, but it needs stating. Mechanical parts on a mountain bike don’t take too kindly to being caked in mud and still asked to work flawlessly. Metal and water don’t mix, but regular and thorough cleaning will prevent rapid deterioration.

Use the time cleaning your bike to carefully inspect it. There’s a lot more wear and tear on the many components of your bike in winter. In particular, pay attention chain, cassette and chainring teeth, cables, brake pads, bottom bracket and headset and pivot bearings. Spot any potential problems before they become a bigger issue during a ride.

Tyre choice

Lightly treaded tyres might be great in the summer but show them a bit of mud and they’ll hoist up a white flag and surrender. Now is the time to invest in some tyres better suited to the muddy conditions of the winter. We’re not going to start making tyre recommendations here, we just don’t have the space to get into this debate.

Onza Greina tyre – perfect for muddy trail riding. Click over to our tyres feature to find out more…

So have a look at our roundup of the 13 best mud tyres here.

If you’re still unsure, a good place to start is to see what local riders are using, or ask a club or bike shop in your area. There’s nothing like local knowledge to find the best tyres suited to the particular demands of your nearest trails.

Tyre pressure

Along with tyre choice, tyre pressure is hugely important when tackling inhospitable terrain. Generally you want to go with a little less air pressure to provide you with more traction when it gets muddy. Like tyre choice though, it can be dependent on your local terrain. Do you ride somewhere rocky or rooty? And the tyres you choose will influence the pressure. Our advice is don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a good balance.

Lube your chain

Choose a lube designed for wet weather conditions, as any oil can quickly and easily be washed off the chain when riding through deep snow and slush. To ensure your bike runs smoothly, make sure to lube the chain before and after each ride. There’s a huge choice of lubes but generally a wet lube will be better suited to riding in mud. If it’s dry and frozen a dry lube will work well, but dry lubes need more regular application.

With all the mud and water getting at your drivetrain, it’s more important now than at any other time of the year to keep moving parts well lubed. Photo: Billy Thackray

Mudguards

There will undoubtedly be a lot of mud and crap being thrown up into the air and much of it will land on your body, which (as anyone who has experienced this will know) is very unpleasant. So stay warm and dry with a decent front mudguard. It’ll remove the need to scrape grit out of your eyes on a regular basis if nothing else.

Okay, so we know they’re unfashionable and all, but a rear mudguard can also provide a good first line of defense against the slop coating you from head to toe. We’d certainly always step out with some sort of front guard at the very least.

All that mud build up isn’t going to help matters. Wash your bike regularly to at least get the big chunks of mud off – it’ll save weight on the bike and make the ride more fun. Be careful though: viciously blasting at bearings with a jet-wash will flush all the grease out. Photo: Chris Jackson

Avoid rust

Treating those components likely to rust quickly with a corrosion preventative such as ACF50 will make sure your bike lasts the winter, and that under the encrusted dirt lies a gleaming, unsullied machine just waiting for the restorative flush of hot, water and a decent, bike-specific, cleaning agent.

Carry your essentials

Having a mechanical is bad enough at the best of times, but when it’s pouring with rain and your toes are frozen, it’s the last thing you want to deal with. Make sure to carry all the essential tools and spares you need to keep your bike rolling on a ride. At the very least carry a spare tube, decent pump, tyre levers if you need them, and a high quality multitool with a chain breaker. Other things to consider are spare brake pads, as all that grit and water will wear through quickly. A spare mech hanger and a few spare chain links can be a good move too; mud has a tendency to crunch drivetrains…

Feeling the cold? Check out our recent Essential Guide to base layers here.

Nobody can see you’re wearing one, but a good base layer can make the difference between being comfortable and being cold and clammy, especially in the winter.

A base layer, as the name suggests, goes under your other clothes, against your skin. But what’s wrong with just wearing a jersey?

Well, for starters, the classic ‘layering’ combination of base layer, jersey and jacket is versatile. You can switch and swap according to the conditions. You can fine tune the base layer itself and more or less leave everything else alone: a warm base layer for cold weather, and a light one for summer will work equally well with the same top.

A baselayer’s an essential part of your outfit if you’re going to ride in conditions like this. Image by Vik Banerjee via Flickr.

Base layers are made from fabrics that are designed to move sweat away from the skin. That’s important in summer, when they can help keep you cool and dry, but it’s even more important in winter. When you sweat your way to the top of a hill then stop for a breather, a cotton t-shirt will have you feeling cold and clammy very quickly. A good base layer will hold so little water against your skin that you’ll still be comfortable.

Base layers split into two varieties: synthetic and merino. Synthetics are usually lighter and a bit cheaper to buy, but can feel a bit, well, synthetic. Merino is a type of wool, with very fine, soft fibers so it’s comfortable against the skin. Both synthetic and merino base layers retain their insulating properties when they get damp from sweat, but merino has the advantage of being naturally antibacterial thanks to the lanolin in the wool, and the structure of the wool fibre.

As a result, merino tends to resist getting smelly even if you don’t wash it between rides, as it’s the bacteria that live off your sweat that smell, not the sweat itself. Synthetic base layers have coatings on the fibres to prevent bacterial growth and pong, but these tend to wear off over time.

The base layers below have been selected to give you an overview of what’s available, and we know from experience they’re all well made and work well.

We’re not saying they’re the only ones you should consider, though. Companies such as Assos, Castelli, Endura, Exteondo, Helly Hansen, Louis Garneau, Nzo, Odio, Pearl Izumi, Santini, Solo, Sportful, Under Armour and plenty of others make good base layers.

Got a favourite? Let us know in the comments.

Rapha Merino

Yes, it’s a product of up-themselves roadie uber-brand Rapha (“drinking coffee, looking tired”), and yes it’s expensive, but Rapha’s merino baselayers deserve their reputation for being fantastically comfortable.

The fabric is feathery-light and silky smooth, the fit is long and close and Rapha’s claims of the same garment being able to wick away sweat and keep you warm when it’s cold are right on the money.

From: Rapha
Price: £60

Craft Active Crew Neck Long Sleeve Base Layer

They know a thing or two about the cold in Sweden, so it’s no surprise that Craft has a big range of winter base layers as well as plenty of summer ones. A mixture of polyesters gives this base layer a combination of moisture-wicking to get sweat away from your skin and insulation.

There’s a high collar to keep your neck cosy because cold there is literally a pain in the neck, and a long tail to keep your lower back covered.

From: Craft
Price: £32

Northwave Karbon Tex

One of the Bikemagic crew credits this super-warm base layer with getting him through the last couple of winters. The fabric is so thick it’s almost like a light polyester fleece, as found in mountaineering gear.

Making it even cosier and more effective in very cold conditions, a wind-resistant layer on the front stops the chill from getting through.

It’s overkill if the temperature is above single figures, though, unless you enjoy being a boil in the bag rider.

From: Northwave; i-ride.com
Price: £55.99

dhb Merino SS Roundneck Baselayer M_150

Like so much from Wiggle’s house brand dhb, this is a decent quality bit of gear at a very good price. It’s not quite as slinky as the Rapha merino, but it’s a heck of a lot cheaper.

We like short-sleeve merino shirts for cool (rather than frigid) days, and even as undershirts when it gets a bit warmer. They’re perfect for early starts on Spring and Autumn rides.

From: Wiggle
Price: £27.89

DeFeet Un-D-Shurt Short Sleeve Base Layer

Defeet’s cleverly knitted polyester fabric feels almost like cotton but it performs like a top-quality wicking synthetic, which is exactly what it is.

It’s thin enough to fit under just about anything, though if you want something even lighter for summer rides, take a look at DeFeet’s barely-there Un-D-Lite base layers.

From: DeFeet, i-ride.co.uk
Price: £35.99

Gore Bike Wear Windstopper Turtleneck

For ultimate protection against the cold it’s hard to go past Gore’s Windstopper fabric. This high-necked, short zip base layer has warm layers over your neck, chest, shoulder, arm and kidneys with lighter fabric under the arms and over your back to let sweat out.

The zip neck makes for a little versatility as it’s rarely consistently cold enough for you to be fully snugged up in base layer like this for both climbing and descending.

From: Gore Bike Wear
Price: £74.99

Marmot Midweight 1/2 Zip LS

It’s always worth checking out your local outdoor shop for baselayer options. Californian mountaineering outfit Marmot got started making down jackets and sleeping bags and like most outdoors companies now make a wide range of gear, including this rather nice midweight base layer.

It’s made from Polartec Power Dry, a polyester/Lycra mix with Cocona activated charcoal impregnated in the fibres to help control pong. The Lycra helps make it snug without being super-tight and the fabric is thick enough that with another layer or two it works for everything from cool Spring and Autumn days to the depth of winter.

Because it’s intended for outdoors rather than bike ride use, the back’s not as long as some, but the whole shirt is plenty long enough that you won’t get a cold lower back as long as you’re not in a racing snake ride position.

From: Marmot
Price: £54.99

It’s cold out there. Seeing a layer of frost or snow on the cars outside can be enough to put you off riding, but there are a few tips for dealing with the snow, rain, mud and worst the British winter can dish out.

Winter riding technique

Playing with tyre pressure makes a big difference. Dropping the psi means the tyre will mould itself to uneven surfaces, and spread out for a bigger tread “footprint” and more grip. The lower you drop the pressure the more soft condition grip you’ll get, but again you’ll need to be wary on the hard stuff.

Low pressure tyres will squash against the rim easily if you hit rocks, so you’ll be more prone to pinch punctures unless you slow down. Floppy tyres can also squirm badly under cornering – particularly with lightweight thin sidewall tyres – so let pressures down gradually till you find a comfortable compromise level.

More on winter riding technique here

Don’t let bad weather deter you

With the right clothing, winter riding doesn’t need to be a miserable experience. But with poor clothing and bad decisions, riding in the wind, rain and mud can be horrible, just horrible; water creeps in through the seams, the wind rips through the delicate layers and your core temperature can plummet.

Read the full blog here

It’s all about the layers

This being Britain the temperature can swing wildly from sub zero to really quite mild, and the rain can be frequent, a brief cloudburst or a prolonged downpour. These changeable conditions make the clothing decision before a ride a tricky thing, getting it right is a matter of trial and error.

Learn how to get the layers right here

Rich Rothwell shares some advice

I actually quite enjoy winter. Firstly, you know what you’re going to get. It’s not like our tantalising ‘summers’ which never seem to quite materialise, or do so in short frustrating gasps. I love the slightly gothic atmosphere of winter and, once out there probably enjoy the scenery more than the summer.

View the full article from Rich.

Rob Dean on riding year round

I like riding all year round. In fact I need to ride all year round as my journey to work takes me and my bike over the South Downs, every morning, so riding all year round is essential.

See Rob’s tips in full here.

Got any of your own top tips you want to share? Let’s hear them in the comments box below please…

As a concept, it’s nothing entirely new. But Endura clothing always ticks a box with UK mountain bikers; combining as they do well designed apparel and good prices. Being based up in Scotland gives them the ideal conditions to thoroughly test their clothing

The fact the Pakajak costs a mere £39.99 doesn’t do it any harm either. A sample duly arrived on the Bikemagic editorial desk, and here it is. Let’s get the tech stuff out of the way first: it’s made from a lightweight Ripstop fabric, its showerproof and windproof, and features are kept few and far between to keep the weight low.

Before. Fresh out of the box it’s very neatly rolled up. Will it stay this way? Let’s find out.

Removing the small bag that keeps the Pakajak rolled up until it’s needed. First thing to note is how insanely light it is, plus the miniscule size that means it’ll take up no space in even the smallest pocket or backpack.

Unravelling the jacket. It’s very neatly folded up. I’m paying attention to how it’s been folded up in the hope I can repeat the process.

And hey presto, the jacket pops into life like an emergency raft, minus the pull cord (though that would be a cool feature). A bit crinkled, but they’ll soon fade with constant use.

There’s a nice storm flap for the lock-down full-length zipper. The material is very thin between the fingers, the lightest of any jacket we’re currently testing. It feels delicate.

There’s two mesh-lined air flaps on the reverse of the jacket. Should go some way to controlling your temperature.

Couple of reflective details, one on the dropped tail and some around the shoulders.

Remembering my valuable lessons from camping and packing tents away, I carefully fold and roll the Pakajack back into a small parcel, and it effortlessly slips into its dedicated bag.

Get yours now from your nearest bike shop or head to www.endura.co.uk for more info.

Pearl Izumi Elite Tall Wool socks – £16.99

I’ve been feeling the recent temperature drop in my feet, but these new cosy socks from Pearl Izumi have saved my toes from certain frostbite, offering great insulation against the cold with a generous length.

Pearl Izumi takes Transfer Merino wool and spin the fibres into 19.5cm high socks, which at this time of year is much appreciated. Whether you’re pairing them with three-quarters and want a little extra protection around the ankles and shin, or wearing them under tights, the benefits of longer socks at this time of year are hard to ignore.

Add the fantastic insulating properties of Merino and these socks have been keeping my feet toasty on recent rides, even with summer mountain bike shoes and all their mesh vents. Pull them on and they’re supremely soft, with no itching. If we stopped there we’d be impressed, but Pearl Izumi have gone a step further; anatomic arch compression panels give a little more support across the foot.

Merino is pretty breathable but your feet can get a bit toasty on warmer rides, so Pearl Izumi add mesh ventilation to the top of the foot to alleviate heat build-up – how effective they will be does depend a lot on your choice of shoes however, but it’s a feature we appreciate on warmer rides.

They’re thicker than normal socks too, which needs to be a consideration if your shoes are already snug with thin summer socks. I had no problem with size large socks over my size 10 feet. Four sizes from small to extra large are available.

If the Shadow Grey Argyle pictured isn’t to your tastes, more sedate colours include Black Plaid, Limestone and Black are available.

Verdict

A tad expensive but a good investment for your winter cycling.

www.madison.co.uk| www.pearlizumi.com

The temperature is plummeting as we gradually inch ever closer to winter, and so it’s that time of year when extra layers of clothing are needed to keep warm, dry, or both.

But it’s not always as simple as just pulling on a big jacket. This being Britain the temperature can swing wildly from sub zero to really quite mild, and the rain can be frequent, a brief cloudburst or a prolonged downpour. These changeable conditions make the clothing decision before a ride a tricky thing, getting it right is a matter of trial and error.

But there is something you can do to improve your chance of keeping a comfortable temperature during a ride. It’s all about layering. Rather than a t-shirt and big jacket, wearing several appropriate layers for the conditions you expect to encounter on your ride, gives you better control over your temperature and means you can be versatile should the conditions change during your ride.

How many layers? Well, three seems to be the optimum number when it’s really cold, with two ideal for slightly warmer days and four reserved for near-Arctic conditions. But the number of layers does all depend on the type of clothing you have at your disposal.

Each thin layer traps air between it and the next, keeping you warmer, and high quality wicking garments will transport perspiration away from your skin to the next layer in turn to deal with.

Layering can be a fine art though; you can never be entirely sure how much you need to wear, what with the frequently changeable conditions only adding to the problem. Experience counts a lot, so getting out on your bike and trying different clothing combinations until you find the right balance is our top tip.

Layer one – next to the skin

Start with a baselayer, short or long sleeve depending on the temperature or personal preference. The job of a baselayer is to wick sweat away from your skin keeping you dry, which means you stay warm – a bad baselayer will get progressively damper which will gradually make you colder. Choose from the Merino wool variety, good for softness next to the skin, or synthetic baselayers which combine good performance and low prices.

For the legs there are several options, but we’ll pick our two preferred methods. Either full-length tights with a chamois built into them, three-quarter length bib knicks, or a pair of non-padded tights pulled over a pair of padded bib shorts. The later option has the advantage of costing less if you already have favourite bib shorts, and the tights

Layer two – the filling in the layer sandwich

The next layer is an important one. With the baselayer wicking sweat from your skin keeping you dry, the midlayer is going to provide a great deal of your warmth. A medium weight fabric long sleeve jersey with a full-length zip and three pockets is a good choice. If you plan to head out with just two layers look for a top with windproof properties.

Layer three – it’s what’s on top that matters

This is perhaps the most essential item in your cycle clothing wardrobe, and perhaps the most expensive item you’ll purchase. There are many choices, from 100% waterproof jackets ideal for monsoon conditions to lightweight packable windproof tops ideal on breezy days, to those that combine the benefits of both.

A lightweight windproof shell is a useful jacket to have. It can be small enough to be packed away in a pocket when not needed, and when being worn it will keep the wind out, provide some water resistance should you get caught in a thunderstorm, and avoid overheating.

If you’re wanting to be kept dry in the heaviest downpours, there are many fully waterproof jackets, but the trade-off is that they can get very warm. So look for ventilation such as zippable ports under the arms and down the side panels.

Generally speaking, the more features a jacket has the more the price will be pushed up. But remember, you’ll be relying on the jacket in a multitude of conditions and if you want to be kept dry and warm throughout the winter, don’t skimp.

Layer four – keeping your feet, hands and noggin warm

Let’s not forget your feet and hands, which are always the first to feel the cold as the body diverts blood away from the extremities. Full-finger gloves are a must when it’s cold, and the more padded the better insulated your digits will be, but too thickly padded on warm days and the hotter your fingers will get. A couple of different pairs of gloves, though costly, is the perfect way to address different temperature ranges and conditions.

With modern helmets being so well ventilated, a head-warmer can be a necessary addition to your attire, if you want to keep your ears from falling off. A thin skull cap or peaked cap is good for cool conditions, but on colder days a thicker ear-covering hat is a must.

Finally, a good pair of woolen socks is our tip for warm feet. A pair of thin windproof oversocks or thicker overshoes are a must for keeping the wind and rain out of your shoes, and your feet warm and dry. When it’s really cold, we’ve been known to wear two pairs of socks and two pairs of overshoes in an effort to keep the cold out!

Summary

Remember the importance of layering, there’s no right or wrong, but you’ll find the right combination after a couple of rides. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Everyone finds a different solution that works for them.

And don’t forget, enjoy your riding, and think of next Spring as inspiration to keep you riding.

What do you wear to combat the cold? Let us know in this forum thread.

Sugoi has launched a sub-100g jacket. The Helium is a new lightweight windproof and water resistant shell designed for the changeable conditions typical of the currently changing seasons.

To save weight the shape has been cut to conform close to the body, and nonessential features have been removed. Such as pit zips, which are replaced with small venting holes. There’s still the mandatory dropped tail, and they’ve found space for one rear zipped pocket along with a full length front zip. Scotchlite sections on the back ensure high levels of visibility.

Available with or without sleeves, and in men and women shapes, sizes and colours, and costs €79.90, which is roughly £73.42.

More at www.sugoi.ca