In diesem Artikel
To drive or not to drive?
This is the first question that needs to be answered. Will the bike be used over the winter or will it be mothballed for a few months? In both cases, you should take the time to give the good piece the appropriate care. Most of this applies to every type of bike - regardless of whether it is a city cruiser, mountain bike or racing bike. For e-bikes and S-Pedelecs, in addition to caring for the mechanical parts, you should also keep an eye on the electronics and the battery.
Variant A: The bike goes into hibernation.
Hard-core all-season cyclists can skip this section, because this is only about bikes that can ideally spend the winter in a dry and weather-protected place. You shouldn't just leave your two-wheeler outside for months. And if there is, or if there is no garage or comparable structural shelter, then you should at least cover it weatherproof. Is that it? Absolutely not! So that the dear bike doesn't just make "eee-aaah" croaking noises after the winter rest, he would like to receive a little love and care before the rest break.
First of all, you should clean the bike properly. Actually clear! Rust-prone and moving parts should always be additionally protected. For this you should at least work with a universal penetrating oil. This protects the parts from seizing and especially from corrosion. But you shouldn't drown your bike in lubricants and should at least clean the frame of excess lubricant with a cloth, otherwise dirt deposits could stick to it later and that would be counterproductive. The Natur Apart from that, thanks to the moderate use of synthetic fats. If you want, you can of course also use specialized care products, such as chain oil.
Everything clean and greased? Then nothing but the proverbial doily with the bike. Of course, the bike only needs a weatherproof cover if it has to spend the winter outside.
If you own an e-bike, there are a few more things you should definitely pay attention to! Batteries can't stand the cold at all! It's best to store the battery somewhere in the apartment. The battery charge should ideally always be in a range between around 30 and 80 percent, and this is even more true when you are not using the battery. You should definitely prevent deep discharging, as this can destroy the battery performance. So keep your bike batteries in good condition even in winter and check the charge level every now and then.
Don't forget to take this opportunity to take care of your accessories too. Bicycle helmets also benefit from a little care before they disappear into the closet until next season. KED® bicycle helmets are not only particularly comfortable and safe, but also extremely easy to care for. The outer shell can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth and a little detergent and the other parts can also be cleaned in this way. Many helmets also offer removable and washable pads. And if, for example, the straps have become a little dirty or sweaty, you can simply soak them in a little soapy water and then rub and dry them. Because a well-maintained helmet will be worn again even after the winter break.
Variant B: With the bike through snow and mud
Here are the tips for all those who fearlessly brave the cold, wrapped up warmly, and who ride their bike diligently even in winter. Although it's not much fun to clean your bike in cold temperatures, regular care is important, especially in winter. Slush and moisture don't just dirty tires and rims. The moving parts in particular suffer from the effects of road salt, which is used on many roads in the winter months. Here too, after regularly cleaning the bike, it is particularly helpful to care for all exposed and affected parts of the bike with moisture-displacing lubricants such as penetrating oils or a more adhesive oil or grease for the chain. The latter, like the sprocket and cassette, needs a lot of care in winter, otherwise the salt can easily cause rust and nobody wants corroding bicycle parts.
Was that? Probably not, because there are other things to consider to ensure safe travel in winter, such as the tires. Winter tires have long been common practice for cars, but bikes should also be treated to winter tires for safety reasons. The rubber compound should be able to cope with cold temperatures and a grippy tread ensures better grip on mud and snow. For occasional drivers, there are now even tire systems with replaceable treads - this means that winter suitability is achieved in the “turn of the wheel”.
In winter, pay even more attention to the condition of the brakes and check all other parts and the bike's lights regularly. Some situations that may be harmless in summer can quickly become critical in winter when visibility is poor and conditions are slippery. In the best case scenario, you never have to leave your bike outside for long, but have a shelter or even a heated bike room available. If not, you should give your two-wheeler a weatherproof cover as soon as it is parked somewhere for a long time.
In winter, it's not just the bike that you need to pay special attention to. Even the people who are determined to sit on the saddle should take good care of themselves. With a particularly careful driving style and with warm, weatherproof clothing. Of course, this also includes a safe bicycle helmet that fits well and comfortably on your head together with a warm helmet cap. In the KED@ range you will find first-class helmets “Made in Germany” and models that have been certified to the highest standards and provide particularly good protection.
If you are an e-bike rider, then remember that the batteries do not like cold temperatures and that their performance decreases further and further below approx. 10° Celsius the colder it gets. That's why you should never leave the battery outside on your bike, but always take it with you and only leave it in heated rooms. You should also not charge batteries before they have reached room temperature and when driving, make sure that the battery is always set to at least a slight assist power, as batteries generate their own heat when used.
Conclusion – with the right care, your beloved two-wheeler will get through the winter well. It doesn't matter whether you're waiting for warmer days or whether you're on the road every day in winter.
This is the first question that needs to be answered. Will the bike be used over the winter or will it be mothballed for a few months? In both cases, you should take the time to give the good piece the appropriate care. Most of this applies to every type of bike - regardless of whether it is a city cruiser, mountain bike or racing bike. For e-bikes and S-Pedelecs, in addition to caring for the mechanical parts, you should also keep an eye on the electronics and the battery.
Variant A: The bike goes into hibernation.
Hard-core all-season cyclists can skip this section, because this is only about bikes that can ideally spend the winter in a dry and weather-protected place. You shouldn't just leave your two-wheeler outside for months. And if there is, or if there is no garage or comparable structural shelter, then you should at least cover it weatherproof. Is that it? Absolutely not! So that the dear bike doesn't just make "eee-aaah" croaking noises after the winter rest, he would like to receive a little love and care before the rest break.
First of all, you should clean the bike properly. Actually clear! Rust-prone and moving parts should always be additionally protected. For this you should at least work with a universal penetrating oil. This protects the parts from seizing and especially from corrosion. But you shouldn't drown your bike in lubricants and should at least clean the frame of excess lubricant with a cloth, otherwise dirt deposits could stick to it later and that would be counterproductive. The Natur Apart from that, thanks to the moderate use of synthetic fats. If you want, you can of course also use specialized care products, such as chain oil.
Everything clean and greased? Then nothing but the proverbial doily with the bike. Of course, the bike only needs a weatherproof cover if it has to spend the winter outside.
If you own an e-bike, there are a few more things you should definitely pay attention to! Batteries can't stand the cold at all! It's best to store the battery somewhere in the apartment. The battery charge should ideally always be in a range between around 30 and 80 percent, and this is even more true when you are not using the battery. You should definitely prevent deep discharging, as this can destroy the battery performance. So keep your bike batteries in good condition even in winter and check the charge level every now and then.
Don't forget to take this opportunity to take care of your accessories too. Bicycle helmets also benefit from a little care before they disappear into the closet until next season. KED® bicycle helmets are not only particularly comfortable and safe, but also extremely easy to care for. The outer shell can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth and a little detergent and the other parts can also be cleaned in this way. Many helmets also offer removable and washable pads. And if, for example, the straps have become a little dirty or sweaty, you can simply soak them in a little soapy water and then rub and dry them. Because a well-maintained helmet will be worn again even after the winter break.
Variant B: With the bike through snow and mud
Here are the tips for all those who fearlessly brave the cold, wrapped up warmly, and who ride their bike diligently even in winter. Although it's not much fun to clean your bike in cold temperatures, regular care is important, especially in winter. Slush and moisture don't just dirty tires and rims. The moving parts in particular suffer from the effects of road salt, which is used on many roads in the winter months. Here too, after regularly cleaning the bike, it is particularly helpful to care for all exposed and affected parts of the bike with moisture-displacing lubricants such as penetrating oils or a more adhesive oil or grease for the chain. The latter, like the sprocket and cassette, needs a lot of care in winter, otherwise the salt can easily cause rust and nobody wants corroding bicycle parts.
Was that? Probably not, because there are other things to consider to ensure safe travel in winter, such as the tires. Winter tires have long been common practice for cars, but bikes should also be treated to winter tires for safety reasons. The rubber compound should be able to cope with cold temperatures and a grippy tread ensures better grip on mud and snow. For occasional drivers, there are now even tire systems with replaceable treads - this means that winter suitability is achieved in the “turn of the wheel”.
In winter, pay even more attention to the condition of the brakes and check all other parts and the bike's lights regularly. Some situations that may be harmless in summer can quickly become critical in winter when visibility is poor and conditions are slippery. In the best case scenario, you never have to leave your bike outside for long, but have a shelter or even a heated bike room available. If not, you should give your two-wheeler a weatherproof cover as soon as it is parked somewhere for a long time.
In winter, it's not just the bike that you need to pay special attention to. Even the people who are determined to sit on the saddle should take good care of themselves. With a particularly careful driving style and with warm, weatherproof clothing. Of course, this also includes a safe bicycle helmet that fits well and comfortably on your head together with a warm helmet cap. In the KED@ range you will find first-class helmets “Made in Germany” and models that have been certified to the highest standards and provide particularly good protection.
If you are an e-bike rider, then remember that the batteries do not like cold temperatures and that their performance decreases further and further below approx. 10° Celsius the colder it gets. That's why you should never leave the battery outside on your bike, but always take it with you and only leave it in heated rooms. You should also not charge batteries before they have reached room temperature and when driving, make sure that the battery is always set to at least a slight assist power, as batteries generate their own heat when used.
Conclusion – with the right care, your beloved two-wheeler will get through the winter well. It doesn't matter whether you're waiting for warmer days or whether you're on the road every day in winter.
