Its that time of year again, night riding, extra layers and lots of puddles, so we left it was time to write down our top 5 tips for riding in the Winter
1. Tyres
When it comes to grip, your tyres are your primary connection with the trail. Whether it’s mud, water, or slippery roots, getting the right tyre for the job is crucial. Over the years, we’ve tried many different tyres, rubbers, and tread patterns, but recently we’ve discovered a game changer—Continental Tyres.
For the front, we’ve gone with the Argotal super-soft compound. It provides incredible grip, especially when leaning into corners, helping you to stay planted when you push the bike hard. For the rear, the Kryptotal soft compound is the choice. It has excellent grip, although it rolls a bit slower than the Argotal. Together, they offer a solid balance of control and efficiency, making your ride smoother and safer.2. Brakes
Stopping quickly and effectively is just as important as getting good grip. That’s where Galfar brake pads come into play. We’ve tried various compounds, but the Pro material is where we’ve landed. These pads are a game changer: they work flawlessly, last a long time, and offer fantastic value for money. Some folks say you don’t need to bed them in, but we’d suggest going through your normal bedding-in process for optimal performance. Trust us, it’s worth it.3. Bike Service
After a summer of riding on dry and dusty trails (or maybe not), your bike is likely in need of some TLC. A solid service can make all the difference. We recently took our bike to Pedal Syndicate in Monmouth, and we were amazed at the transformation. The workshop team stripped our Whyte T160 down and gave it some serious love, leaving us with a bike that felt brand new.
Don’t forget your fork and shock, either. Sprung Suspension Servicing offers excellent fork and shock maintenance—whether you drop off your bike or ship it in. RockShox recommends a lower leg oil change every 50 hours of riding and a full service every 200 hours, so make sure you’re keeping up with that to avoid issues down the line.4. Winter Kit
Spending time outside in the rain is no fun unless you have the right gear to keep you dry and warm. That’s why a good waterproof jacket is essential. Troy Lee Designs, known for their gear, stepped up their waterproof game with the Decent Jacket a few years ago, and they’ve now updated it to the Troy Lee Resist Jacket. This is a solid choice for winter riding.
It features a chest pocket that’s perfect for your phone, a more compact hood that fits over your helmet, and a new 3-way breathable material. We’ve been testing it for the past six months and are seriously impressed with how well it keeps you dry and comfortable. You can check it out, along with other colours, at Pedalabikeaway when you’re riding at the centre.5. Coaching
We might be a bit biased here, but we firmly believe that practice makes perfect. To help riders progress, we’ve introduced two new coaching packages:
- Coach and Ride Fundamentals – LINK
- Coach and Ride Trail Flow – LINK
Both these courses include coaching sessions in the morning followed by a guided ride in the afternoon to put your new skills to the test. It’s a great way to fast-track your improvement on the trail.
Additionally, with the surge in e-bike popularity, we’ve created a dedicated workshop for e-bike riders:
- E-Progression Workshop
This isn’t for beginners—it’s aimed at riders who want to take their e-bike skills to the next level. Check out our website for more info and book your spot! – LINK
@Whytebikes, @Burgetec, @smith, @SaddlebackMTB, @crankbrothers, @pedalsyndicate, @Mucoff
