For me, I’ll be using my 90s steel MTB.
I’ve already coated the inside of the frame with anti rust, got a rust resistant chain, and have studded tires at the ready. The studded tires will only go on if there’s persistent icy conditions.
Packed marine grease into my hubs, bb ends, and headset bearings.
On my todo list, I’ll be installing pogies/bar mitts, which have proven to be way better than any glove solution I tried last winter.
I also want to buy/make a mudflap to expend the front fender. This should prevent a considerable amount of grit, salt, melted snow from reaching my shoes, chain, crankset, etc.
As soon as salt goes down, my bike will get more cleaning around critical parts, and a frame wipe down after every ride.
I do have a winter cycling jacket and fleecy cycling pants, but feeling the cold on my body was never an issue last winter. A fleecy buff and helmet liner that gets over my ears are a must, and i may invest in a few extra pairs.
Hands and cold protection are critical. Have you tested gloves? What brand and model?
For my bike: more frequent hand washing, then additional chain cleaning. A little more universal lubricant, like WD-40, and standard bicycle chain oil.
Just in case you or others didn’t realise, WD-40 isn’t a true lubricant. It is actually a solvent. Although it works as a lubricant in many cases, the effects are short lived (and shouldn’t be used to lubricate some things like locks as the will gum up).
This is true about the standard Wd-40 spray (WD = Water Displacement). However, the company did make 2 different actual chain lubes. One for wet, one for dry, and those work amazingly.
Oh cool. Thanks for the info!
Yup. I use the WD-40 degreaser (just easier to get), but also have used their wet and dry lube.
My preference for lube, however, has gone from the WD-40 lube to Wolftooth to Silca Synergetic (highly recommended!).
Multilube similar to WD-40 is all I use on my chain. During summer time I apply it every 4th ride or so and in winter time or when it’s just wet in general I use if after the ride to get rid of the moisture. I always wipe with a rag afterwards. Now my chain stays clean and shiny all the time unlike before when I used a proper chain lube which just collects dirt and still doesn’t protect the chain from rust after it gets wet.
All kinds, and they just got bulkier and more awkward to use the brakes/shifters. I haven’t tried any lobster claw gloves, however, but they also seem too bulky for my liking. Not even heated gloves were as effective as pogies!
With pogies, my hands get so warm that I can quite literally either ride without any gloves or glove liners at most. LOL