Our Winter Guide To Protecting Your Bike From The Elements

Winters poses a difficult time for cyclists as the darkness, slippery roads and harsh elements all are against us. There are ways to fight back and keep on the bike during these times, it just takes a little preparation and a slight change of equipment and you’ll enjoy your hours on the bike just as much as in summer.

Weatherproof Saddle Packs

Keeping all yours spares dry is essential when the rain is hammering down so that you can  protect them from moisture damage. There are other things such as car keys and money that you simply cannot be exposed to moisture. Our range of weather proof saddle packs from Bontrager and Topeak will keep everything dry no matter what the elements throw at you (Let’s hope Cape Town throws it down this winter, for the sake of the dams!)

Invest In The Best

When you’re touring or simply need to pack all your gear for your work bike commutes, then look no further than our comprehensive range from Apidura. As leaders in weatherproof bike packing equipment, you’ll see Apidura bags in the harshest environments in the world, protecting riders equipment from rain, dust, snow and anything else you can think of.

Pump or C02 Bombs

We all dread inflation, but this is the good type! While tyres are offering added puncture protection and tubeless tyre sealants seal punctures, none of these methods are 100% guaranteed. If you’re riding tubeless tyres, we recommend that you keep your tyre sealant levels topped up with our ranges from Stan’s, Joe’s and Bontrager.

Even when you’re riding tubeless tyres, we recommend keeping an extra tube with you in case a puncture or cut is too big for sealant to fill. It’s far easier carrying a little more bulk on the bike than walking home in the rain when things go wrong. (Shop our MTB and road tubes)

Also, never forget the humble puncture repair kit at only R25, and if you’re riding tubeless tyres, a tubeless tyre puncture repair kit. Number one on our list is the Sahmurai Sword that fits neatly and safely into your handlebars.

There is always some sacrifice between weight and performance, but thanks to new developments, mini pumps can pump up high pressure tyres in no time!

Lezyne HP Drive

The Lezyne HP drive is compact, lightweight hand pump that has an integrated flex hose for convenience. With the ability to pump tyres up to 120psi/ 8.3 bar, it’s an essential on any bike!

Topeak Mini Morph

The pump that truly does morph into a full featured floor pump! The Topeak Mini Morph features a fold out foot pad and a flexible hose, yet it’s small enough to fit onto your bicycles frame or tuck into your hydration pack.

Giant Control Blast

C02 bombs without regulator are just too tricky to handle, which is why we recommend C02 regulators such as the Giant Control Blast 1. With a foam cover on the bomb itself, it keeps you from hurting your hands as these can get extremely cold. We also highly recommend using your gloves when inflating your tyres with these as an extra measure of protection.

If you already have a C02 regulator, make sure you’re stocked up with fresh C02 cartridges from only R18.

Lights

Throughout the summer we have been encouraging all our clients to use light even during the daytime as it dramatically increases your visibility on the road. With the darker months now in full swing it is even more important to use the correct lights to make yourself visible to motor vehicles, and we’ve cut the prices on our lights indefinitely as we put safety as our number one priority for all our clients!

Recommended Front Lights

Ryder Orion 1000

Bontrager Ion 800 R Front Light

Cateye Volt 800 Front Light

Recommended Rear Lights

Bontrager Flare R

Cateye Rapid X3

Cateye Rapid Mini

Shop All Front And Rear Lights

Regular Cleaning And Lubrication

The easiest and most effective way to keep your components running smoother with less wear is to keep them clean and lubed. Wear and tear from dirt and muck wears your drivetrain out quicker and can add to those costly service bills. Extending the life of your components only takes a couple of minutes, but the results go a long way. You’re less likely to be stuck on the side of the road or trail trying to fix broken parts, and you’ll save in long term maintenance costs. We recommend a full cleaning kit that keeps all your essentials in one place such as the Motorex Bike Cleaning kit.

We know the difficulty and hassle of properly cleaning a chain, but that is no longer an issue thanks to advanced chain cleaners like the Park Tool Cyclone Chain Cleaner.

In just minutes your chain will be dirt free, sparkling and ready to tackle the next route with smooth shifts.

Finish the job with Rock ‘N Roll Gold Lube or Rock ‘N Roll Extreme lube and you’re all set to go!

Check Your Chain!

Keeping an eye on your chain is an easy way to keep your drivetrain in shape as a worn chain significantly impacts the rate at which your cassette wears, which can be a costly item to replace! The Park Tool Chain Checker is quick and easy to use, and will help you gauge whether or not you need to replace your chain. Checking your chain for wear is one thing that is most overlooked on the bicycle, but investing in a chain checker is a one off cost that can save you thousands in the future.

We hope these few simple tips will make your winter riding more enjoyable, with less time spent worrying about the elements and more time having fun!