Winter biking – it's better with friends.

With this winter’s warmer weather and largely ice-free roadways, I’m betting more of you are biking around town than usual. With that in mind, check out these winter biking tips we got from Anybody’s Bikeshop a few years back.

Grim Annihilation
Spend a little extra time cleaning your bike. Moisture from snow and road salt cause corrosion, and particles from sand wear down brake pads and drivetrain parts. A little cleaning now will significantly reduce your repair bill in the spring.

Crucial Lubrication
When lubing, don’t stop at the chain. Any moving part like brake levers and brake pivots, need it, too. In the winter, try a liquid chain lube like Pedro's Syn Lube to protect metal surfaces. Tri-Flow and JB-80 are great for all other moving parts.

Tire Swapping
On snow, use wide tires with widely spaced knobs. These are only recommended for snow and ice. You can also improve the cold-weather performance of most tires simply by reducing the air pressure. Inflate your tires toward the low end of the recommended range.

Fender Fixation
Fenders go a long way in helping your bike work efficiently all winter long. They deflect snow and ice that otherwise build up and inhibit the function of critical components. They’ll also keep you drier and warmer and save you time cleaning your bike.

Enlighten Your Ride
With shorter days, more people find themselves on their bike after dark. Wisconsin law requires a white front headlight and a red rear reflector to ride after dark. I also highly advocate the use of a flashing red taillight to catch motorists’ eyes.

What other tips do you all have for winter biking?