Five steps to prepare your bike for winter

Cold, wet roads are hard on a bicycle. A little preparation in November saves a lot of repairs in spring.

1. Clean it properly

Remove dirt and old grease from the chain, cassette and chainrings. Rinse with water and dry everything.

2. Lubricate

Use a wet lubricant in winter. Apply one drop per link, wait a few minutes and wipe off the excess.

3. Check the brakes

Pads wear faster in wet conditions. Replace them if the grooves are almost gone.

4. Tyres

Slightly lower pressure gives more grip on cold tarmac. Check the sidewalls for cracks.

5. Lights

It gets dark early. Make sure the batteries are fresh and the mounts are tight.