page_title: Cold-weather biking
section_title: Accessories
hierarchical_section_title: Cold-weather biking / Accessories
caption_attribution_description: English: Looking northeast as bicyclers go down 5th Avenue after a snowfall.
context_page_description: Cold-weather biking or winter biking is the use of a bicycle during months when roads and paths are covered with ice, slush and snow. Cold weather cyclists face a number of challenges in near or below freezing temperatures. Urban commuters on city streets may have to deal with "[s]now, slush, salt, and sand", which can cause rust and damage to metal bike components. Slush and ice can jam derailleurs. Some cyclists may bike differently in winter, by "slow[ing] down on turns and brak[ing] gradually" in icy conditions. Gaining traction on snow and ice-covered roads can be difficult. Winter cyclists may use bikes with front and rear fenders, metal studded winter tires and flashing LED lights. Winter cyclists may wear layers of warm clothes and "ea[r], face, and han[d]" coverings may be used. Specialized winter bikes called fatbikes, which have wide, oversized tires that are typically inflated with low pressure, are used in snow trail riding and winter bike competitions.
context_section_description: Gaining traction on snow and ice-covered roads can be difficult. In mild winter weather, cyclists "use low-pressure knobby tires on both the front and rear wheels." During "severe conditions, winter tires with hardened steel spikes" can be used to increase traction and provide "better control."
  The OBLP states that some cyclists use front and rear fenders for winter biking.
  For winter biking, fenders that are fitted with some space between the wheel and the fender are used by some cyclists. According to the Mountain Equipment Co-op, close-fitted fenders can clog up with snow.
  According to the OBLP, while fenders with space "don’t accumulate snow buildup, ... [some] prefer tight fitting fenders."
  The OBLP states that some winter cyclists use Schwalbe studded winter Marathon tires.
  To avoid frozen brake and derailleur cables, an Ottawa website states that some riders use "‘slick’ or Teflon type cables" or "regular cables" lubed with a "dry [wax] lube like White Ligh[tn]ing".
caption: Cold-weather cylists riding in the rightmost part of the lane in New York City.
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