Cycling a Brompton in Winter ❄️

7 Top Tips for enjoying cycling your Brompton through the late autumn and winter. These tips are mainly totally to any other bike too :-)
Details:
Bike 🚲: ‪@bromptonbicycle‬ P6R
Tyres 🛞 : ‪@SchwalbeBikeTires‬ Marathon Plus
Front Light: From ‪@INFINI2005‬
Rear Light: Knog Cobber ‪@KnogOfficial‬
We are Velo Works, a small independent bike business. We undertake servicing and repost but also specialise in hand built wheels, vintage bike restorations and an online store. You can find out more here:
www.veloworkshop.co.uk/
This KZbin channel is run by Sarah and Paul and is everything we love about cycling including bike tours, workshop videos, rides, Bromptons, vintage bikes and much more.

[@michaeljones6144]

I’ve been a London and suburbs Brompton commuter for years. I use a merino wool cap under my helmet. When the wind comes up I add a hi-vis helmet cover that closes off the helmet vents. It’s also good when it’s really cold. I’ve also used the Schwabe Marathon winter tyres with studs when I was commuting in Frankfurt, Germany. To protect the frame, I used strips of inner tube held with zip ties. This prevents the studs from contacting the paint when folding the Brompton. This also works well for keeping the grit from wearing the paint when it’s raining, or slushy. Shoe covers are really helpful too, even if hard to put on.

[@veloworks9266]

HARDCORE! Wow the winter tyres with studs! Thanks so much for sharing these tips 👍 A high vis helmet cover sounds like our next purchase ✅ thanks for watching and your comments 👍

[@ed0078]

Get the Garmin computer and radar, it will change your world. Expensive yes, but it is worth it.

[@timevans9195]

Nice one Paul..good down to earth tips there. One thing I bought recently for about a tenner was 'Peaty's Bog brush' a bike cleaning brush - it's brilliant for getting thick winter mud off your bike - highly recommended

[@veloworks9266]

Thanks for the tip ! Will have a look 👍

[@TheAnarcyclist]

Great video. I was an occasional winter cyclist for years and made the transition to full time year round about 10 years ago. Absolutely love it. Take care of your hands, feet, & face and the rest takes care of itself. Currently in Michigan, USA & have ridden in -30C. In pushing my limits and comfort zone on the bike, I’ve found that I rather quite enjoy riding in the rain. Cheers

[@veloworks9266]

This is great to hear and blimey -30c! That’s amazing! Thanks for watching and commenting 🙌

[@odess4sd4d]

Now i want to see it on the turbo trainer

[@veloworks9266]

😂 now there’s an idea!

[@craneman200]

Great video, Paul! Peg and I have been winter cycling for decades, and you've certainly nailrd all the major points. I also use heated gloves after my hands were frost bitten on a winter expedition years ago. Keep those informative videos coming!

[@veloworks9266]

Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching! Ooof can see why you use heated gloves!

[@muratmustafa4532]

I also used to use hand pressurised hand pump to clean the bike but it was taking so much time. I have upgraded to WORX electric pump and make the whole process easier and the bike cleaner. The head is adjustable for reducing the pressure and increasing coverage area. I set mine to 15 degrees which seems to good for removing mud stuck on the frame and components. It seems lots of people/journalist/magazine is concluding that WORX to be bike safe in terms of amount of pressure it has. Also a video about brake and gear adjustment would be great! There are few in KZbin but I did not find them comprehensive and easy to follow.

[@veloworks9266]

Glad you found something that works for you 👍

[@devjon123]

They've recently built a really nice Visitors centre t our local Country Park ( Upton House Poole ) At one end of it is a Dog wash with a range of brushes, warm water and even a hair dryer. The trough is the ideal height and size for a Brompton. I've been tempted just to see the reaction 😁

[@veloworks9266]

@@devjon123 😂😂

[@devjon123]

Hi Paul, some of those snowy scenes looked a bit challenging! A really useful video which has encouraged me to get out the door, it's never as bad as it looks through the window. I was lucky enough to pick up a near mint Hi Viz Rohan cycling jacket a few years back so I have my visibilty sorted. Keep up the good work, and Chapeau to Sarah, the unsung hero behind the camera 👍

[@veloworks9266]

Thanks so much for the lovely comments! High vis forever!!! 🤩🤩

[@doug2835]

I love riding in the winter, but this winter I've been slow to get out because of the chemotherapy I've been going through. But thanks to your video and a recent one from GCN you've given me the motivation to get out there regardless of how I feel. You know my ancestors came here from England and sometimes I wish they hadn't, you guys have a love for cycling and places to ride that we don't always have here in this car centric country. But anyway thanks for your video and the motivation, you guys always seem calm and happy!

[@veloworks9266]

Hi Doug, hope the chemo is going well and we are so pleased this has helped motivate you! Even a 1 mile ride if you don’t have the time or energy can put a smile on our face and wipe the cobwebs away. Let us know how you get on!

[@doug2835]

@@veloworks9266 Thank you, just knowing people who enjoy the feeling of being on a bike makes me happy, even if you’re on the other side of the ocean!

[@veloworks9266]

@@doug2835 🤗

[@johnbayley1109]

Great video, Paul. Common sense in abundance and well thought out.

[@veloworks9266]

Thank you John. And thanks for watching 👍

[@mithuharjani3620]

Excellent thank you 👍💫✨🎄🚴😊

[@veloworks9266]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed!

[@tommckenzie2112]

Thank you for the.

[@ajo12Oba]

I tried the brompton once in icy conditions and it felt like I was sitting on a death machine. Mostly, the back tyre was always sliding away. Cant remember ever having these issues with regular bikes. I used to ride a 60€ bike when studying. It never let me down in 6 years but one when the snow was really thick so the tyres would lose grip. Its a shame how limited a 1800€ bike is in comparison. Its also funny that everytime now I saw a brompton owner this winter they were never riding but only pushing their bikes. Well, I now know why

[@veloworks9266]

Thanks for your comments and insights. It’s good to be aware that every bike has its limitations. Equally a bike that will excel in icy conditions won’t be as versatile a bike as the Brompton

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

And so would I, if living in Rio de Janeiro, or somewhere else but Denmark

[@veloworks9266]

😂😂

[@tommckenzie2112]

I have found that a waterless dog shampoo is great for removing Schwalbe Marathon tires and it doesn't rust the rim.

[@veloworks9266]

Interesting tip!

[@codak29]

I use lights and wear red, I won't go full yellow high-viz.

[@veloworks9266]

At least it’s not all black 😂

[@Red_Rides_Bikes]

Thanks for the video, Paul. Great tips. Do you have any tips about keeping rust away on a Brompton during winter months? I’ve realised that with winter riding, the chain (and some parts near the wheels/brakes) tends to get rusty really quick even with frequent cleaning? I ride daily and even with a wipe down, quick clean and relube of the chain, rust still forms. Any tips?

[@veloworks9266]

Thanks for watching. A product like GT85 is good because it expels any excess water. It doesn’t want to be used any where near the brakes though. Can be good to spray on components after a clean that are prone to rust. Hope that helps

[@Red_Rides_Bikes]

Thanks I’ll give it a try!

[@Bokooda]

All sound advice. Rinse the salt of the frame after a ride, especially if you know you won't be using it for a while. Regarding HiViz gear, what's the point in trying to LOOK cool, if literally, no one can see you, until after they've HIT you. You may look like a dork in yellow, but at least you'll be a live dork.... 🙏🏽

[@veloworks9266]

😂😂 very true!!!!

[@TrondBakkeFlgstad]

This is not winter, more a cold autumn. Greetings from Norway:)

[@veloworks9266]

😂😂 we know. We lived in Scotland for 10 years. Down south it’s positively summer for us 😂

[@TrondBakkeFlgstad]

@@veloworks9266 But good tips!! Wet weather is a problem even if it is 10 degrees . The only extra problem in Norway is salting of the roads.