Keep Your Cycle in TipTop Condition for Winter

When its damp and cold, the roads and cycle paths stay wet, greasy and muddy for longer, so spray gets thrown off your tyres and onto your bike (and you!). There’s salt in the spray, too, which can cause rust and corrosion.

The Council grit the roads to keep us safe, but we need to ensure that our machines are protected from the salt in it. The best way to do this is to clean all moving parts and then spray lubricant onto. WD40 is not recommended as this can dry out components. Wilsons Wheels use and sell a couple of sprays, TF2 and GT85, that protect and lubricate with a thicker oil for your chain. Try to avoid spraying your brake pads or rims as it will prevent them from working properly.

Mudguards not only help stop spray reaching you, the rider, but also help prevent it from reaching many of your cycle’s moving parts, such as the brakes and front derailleur. Mudguards could be a worthy investment for the winter months - but always fit the longer version rather than the clip-on hybrid guards to get maximum effect. They cost twice as much but you will get more than double the benefit.

Should you bring your bike in for a service at Wilsons Wheels, the first thing we do is to give it a good clean. We degrease the components, too, to check for corrosion or other damage. It’s amazing how just a small amount of dirt can stop your machine moving smoothly! Do pop into Wilsons Wheels - we just love talking bikes! Wilsons Wheels, 89a Grovehill Road, Beverley HU17 0EJ, 01482 882881 www.wilsonswheels.co.uk