Maybe you stop riding a bike just because it's winter, but that doesn't mean everybody does. Some people are actually hardcore, and these tools can help you join their wintery—and deeply masochistic—ranks.
Preparing for a bike ride in the winter is a lot like preparing for a ski trip for much of the country, but if you live in a milder climate—ahem, San Francisco—you might dial back your preparations for snow into preparations for rain. Just remember: the point is that you shouldn't let the weather slow you down.
Schwalbe Snow Studs
If you ride your narrow summer slicks on snow or ice, you are going to take a glorious spill. Cars have snow tires. Your bike should too. These spiked tires help you hold on to the road—or whatever you're riding on. $78
Lubrication
If you want to keep your bearings and chain from locking up when the weather turns most liquid to molasses, you're going to need some industrial strength grease. Some bicycle lubricants claim to be "low-temperature" but the real cold weather riders recommend Lubriplate Mag-1 multipurpose grease when they want to keep their bikes from seizing up. This stuff's good down to -60 degrees Fahrenheit.
$6.25
Cat Eye Jido
A high-powered bike light will keep you from getting iced by a car. If you ride a bike at night without a light at anytime of year, you are an idiot, but during the winter you should use one day or night. There's less light during the day, more night in general, and winter conditions only make it harder to see and easier to clobber dumbasses without lights. $30
Topeak Alien III Multi-Tool
Get a sweet multi-tool designed for bikes and keep the spare parts you'll need on you. Machines hate cold weather. So do tires. Flats, broken chains, and snapped cables all become increasingly likely when you ride in the cold. The Alien III tool has every tool in every size you'll ever be likely to need on the side of the road, so when something bad happens, you'll be ready. $60
Recon-Ready Uvex Goggles
Regardless of whether it's snow or rain, if it's in your eyes, you can't see. Uvex Goggles are legendarily reliable, and these are compatible with Recon's Android-based "heads-up" display. Even though they're designed for skiers Recon's MOD products will still show and record all sorts of interesting data about your ride. $160 Goggles/ $300 Recon Mod
Camelbak M.U.L.E.
Below a certain temperature, water freezes. But what the heck are you going to do so don't go thirsty? Why you're going to fill up this low-profile Camelbak and stick it under your jacket. The warmth from your body will keep the water liquid so that dehydration doesn't screw up your flow. $90
Mountain Hardware Snowpocalypse Pants
Protect your legs from the elements with some serious snow pants. Seriously. Even if you live in a place where you can usually get away with not wearing snow pants during the winter, you're going to want to want them on a bike. The Snowpocalypse pants are on the high-end of hardcore and their neon coloring will help keep you visible. Your legs do the work on a bike. Protect them. $350
[Top photo credit: via Flickr/xjara69]