With Winter now well and truly here, why should a little thing like the cold and bad weather stop you from getting on your bike and having a good time? The truth is, if you get the right gear and prepare, Winter can be great fun on the bike. And remember a good Summer of cycling is built in the Winter.
Here at Specialized Concept Store Nottingham we don't think the Winter weather should stop you riding. We believe in getting out whatever the weather, which is why we stock a huge range of products to ensure that even in the coldest winter months you'll still be out there somewhere on two wheels with a smile on your face. From clothing to keep you warm to lights and equipment to 'Winterise' your bike, we've got it all here in store for you.
Winter can be a tricky time to keep up the miles and many are put off, but you needn't be. Whether you are looking to buy a specific Winter bike like the all new Specialized Diverge, which we think is the ultimate Winter road and commuting bike, or you just want to make sure your current bike and equipment is up to the job when the snow starts falling.
Check out the different sections of our Winter Riding Guide below or scroll down to read them all.
Before we get to the products that we reccommend, we've popped down what we think are some general riding tips for Winter to make it a lot more fun.
The weather can turn quickly,
make sure you're in the know
CHECK THE FORECAST
It's no coincidence that all our guys in store are glued to Accuweather and Metcheck this time of year.
It pays to know what's happening in the skies above you at this time of year so you can plan your journey properly. If you know heavy snow is coming then grab those thicker gloves and some waterproof shoe covers in preparation.
Likewise, if you can see it's going to rain later then you can adjust your gear to suit the conditions. There's nothing worse than heading out in sunshine and being caught out by bad weather that everyone but you knew was coming.
Make sure your bike is ready for the
Winter conditions..
HAVE YOUR BIKE CHECKED
If you are going to be riding this winter then it's advisable to get that bike of yours checked out. In the Summer you might be able to get away with a bit of wear on your brakes but Winter can be a bit more unforgiving.
So you need to make sure that everything on your bike is in good condition from your tyres, brakes, gears and everything in between.
We have services specifically designed to check your bike for the Winter weather starting from just £25 at our Specialized Service Centre where we can make sure your bike is in top condition.
We're now stocking the best bike
cleaner around. ideal for getting
rid of the winter grime
LOOK AFTER YOUR BIKE
Once you get your bike checked over then it's up to you to look after it, and in Winter time this is a must. Every surface that we ride on get's wetter, muddier and grittier this time of year and none of these are particularly kind to your bike. So make sure you clean your bike regularly, and look after it.
It may not be the most fun job you can do, but we have just started stocking the fantastic Muc-Off range of bike cleaning equipment at Specialized Nottingham which will ensure that cleaning your bike just got a little bit easier.
Once you have cleaned your bike, make sure you look after it by drying it off and greasing all the neccessary parts such as lube on the chain. If you are not familiar with which grease and lubricant to use, then call us on 0115 978 3876 and our Sales Advisors will be happy to help you pick the right tools for the job.
Wearing the right kit will mean fun
even in the most Wintery conditions
GET THE RIGHT GEAR
The Winter can be a great time for riding, crisp mornings and empty trails, but a beautiful morning's riding can be spoilt if you don't have the right gear. Something as simple as a warm and waterproof shoe cover can make the difference between a brilliant ride in and 45 minutes of suffering in the cold. Mudguards whilst not the most aesthetically pleasing of bike accessories can really help keep all that freezing cold water off you during the winter rides which makes a huge difference. So make sure you equip yourself for the elements this Winter and you'll have a blast.
Below we've highlighted what we recommend to ensure you stay safe and comfortable on your bike this winter. Remember, if you are purchasing your bike on a Cycle to Work scheme all our winter safety equipment and apparel can be included in your Cycle to work package allowing you savings up 40% on most schemes.
Scroll down for more information on our Winter products in store.
In Winter Lights are a must, it's not just that the days are shorter and those morning commutes are often ridden in darkness. This is the time of year where the weather can change quickly, from a sunny ride to heavy rain and even snow. In these instances it is important that you can see where your going and even more important that other people can see you. This is where a good set of lights comes in. Whether you are riding down country lanes, main roads or even thrashing trails in the middle of the night, we stock a huge range of lights at our Nottingham store from some of the best names in cycle lights.
FLUX LIGHTS - Perfect for all your winter riding. The Flux comes in two different option, Elite and Expert. The Expert offers a slightly more powerful front light if you need those extra lumens on your ride, while the Elite packs a lot of power into a very small unit making it perfect for commuting. These lights may be small but they offer as much as 360 lumen output and 4 hour runtime on full power.
STIX LIGHTS - All new for this year are the Specialized Stix lights. These lights are perfect for commutes. They are all USB rechargeable and offer great visibility. Available in both comp and sport models the Stix are the best value and quality commuter lights on the market. The good news is that you needn't break the bank to get a great set of lights, our new Stix lights start from only £25.
With many of the light kits available with USB chargers, you can re-charge your lights while you work to ensure you don't run out of batteries on the way home.
Winter riding is all about staying warm and safe. If you don't get the right clothing then odds are that you won't have much fun on your bike. So it's very important that you layer up, and wear the right kit.
A common mistake can be to just stick on a big jacket, but once you get riding you'll be too warm. But we know the best way to stay warm is to build up layers of good quality cycling gear. That's why we have a huge range of Winter Clothing that's warm and weather proof so you'll be warm, comfortable and dry too. Starting with a range of base layers, through to jackets and everything in between so can layer up and ride warm whether you're training for a Sportive or hitting the trails.
Our warm cycling apparel starts from just £45 and includes the exceptional Specialized 2016 Autumn/Winter apparel. The Specialized Winter apparel is designed with warmth and safety in mind with reflective strips available on almost every single jacket no matter what the colour. All of which are perfect for keeping you safe and warm this winter.
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{WOMEN'S WINTER CLOTHING AT NOTTINGHAM:6973, 7015, 7032, 3492, 3497, 3417}
Now you've got your Winter clothing sorted, it's time to take care of the rest of you. Nothing ruins a ride more than cold hands and feet so it's important to look after your extremities this winter when you're out on the bike. That's why we stock a huge range of gloves, and if you already have a pair of gloves you love that aren't quite warm enough we've got some great Mesta Wool liner gloves to go under your favourite gloves and keep your hands warm.
One more area we know you need to keep warm is your head. We lose the majority of our heat out of our heads so riding into a cold wind can make our whole body cold if you haven't got anything to keep your neck and head warm, which is where our range of winter riding caps and neck liners will ensure you keep warm all over.
With our winter accessories starting from just £10, you won't need to break the bank to stay warm this winter.
{WINTER ACCESSORIES AT NOTTINGHAM:6830, 7088, 7052, 6858, 3084, 3131, 7005, 3108, 6887}
View more Winter Accessories >
As well as keeping yourself warm and ready for those Winter rides, you can help yourself by adding some simple accessories to your bike that will really make a difference on the wet, gritty roads. These include the all new Burra Burra bags, perfect for keeping your gear dry while you're out riding and a range of mudguards and tyres to suits the wetter conditions we get this time of year.
{WINTER RIDING EQUIPMENT AT NOTTINGHAM:6282, 5235, 5240, 6300, 6277, 5160, 5158, 5157, 5162, 5156}
Once your bike is equipped then you need to keep it clean, dry and in good condition to ensure it keeps running smoothly over Winter. This is where our new range of Muc-Off cleaning and lubrication products will come in very handy, keeping your bike in great nick, leaving you to ride in comfort and confidence right through to the Spring.
So this year, don't miss out on Winter riding, pop down to Specialized Nottingham and we'll keep you riding no matter what the weather is like.
