How to Prepare for Winter Mountain Biking

Winter mountain biking may be new to you or you may be an old pro. Whatever it is the challenges that come with winter mountain biking are totally different to the difficulties of biking in the summer. Firstly there are different safety issues; secondly you will need different equipment. You might have to buy some new tires and brakes if you plan on riding in the winter. The money is well spent as it will give you a safer and better ride than if you try to use the bike you do during summer.

Safety First

Terrain that is familiar to you in the summer can be treacherous in the winter no matter how many times you’ve been down the same trail. The introduction of moisture changes everything. This means that you should take extra precautions. Elbow, knee and shin guards are good for preventing nasty scrapes if you do happen to take a tumble. So is a good full or half face helmet. There are even face helmets that you can convert for the summer. These are some of the protective gear that you should think of getting for your winter mountain biking adventures.

Tires

The tires that you use during winter mountain biking makes a big difference in the grip you get. A tire that rebounds slowly is ideal for winter mountain biking as it has a better grip than one that rebounds faster. Tires that rebound fast should be kept for summer rides, definitely not the winter. Dual compound tires are also a good solution to the problem of low traction during wet weather. These tires have a center that has low friction and is “fast rolling” while the sides are slow rebound and give you good grip. If you don’t want to replace both tires then replace the front tire. A tire with widely spaced knobs may also be a good idea. Keep in mind however that these tires will get torn up on roads and rocky trails.

Clothing

As you can imagine the right type of clothing is important in winter mountain biking. You want to stay warm and dry on your ride to avoid coming down with a chill. Carry a pack that is water resistant so you can carry a lightweight waterproof jacket with you. It is surprising how warm a good waterproof jacket will keep you on rides. Carry ski gloves and toe warmers if the temperatures are going to really dip. Loss of sensation in your hands means less control of your bike and a higher likelihood of accidents.