Reddit mentions of Planet Bike Superflash Stealth Bike Tail Light

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The Bike

It is commonly accepted to use a basic mountain bike with winter tires. [/u/rebeldefector] prefer[s] a bike with no suspension. It may also be best to use a bike you don't love; the winter is very hard on the frame, and many places sand and salt the roads.

I use my Cross bike in the winter, with my standard tires. When it will get a little snowy, I'll let some air out.

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Some people swear by winter bikes such as these:

http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes/pugsley_complete/

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/mukluk/

Some people just swear by the tires...

I've only ridden one in the summer, I don't own one, but I don't think it's fast enough for me.~[/u/rebeldefector]
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Bike Gear


Headlights

Cygolite site

Since the headlight you need will vary heavily depending on how well your route is lit, the quality of your trails, whether or not you are riding at night, whether or not you are riding alone, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and so on... I've opted to give you an Amazon search

I recommend heading to your local bike shop to discuss it with them, or visiting.... one... of... these... threads... or checking this search.

Bear in mind that if you ride will be long, maybe 2 hours or longer, you may need to forgo USB lights for regular batteries so you can bring along spares.



Tail Lights
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Surprisingly bright, but arguably not the best. I'd like to know if any of you have good opinions on any specific lights designed for an underside rack mount

Check out the 2012 tail light review

Or this reddit search

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Bar End Lights
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Honestly, these suck, and I have had to repair them more than once. If you have better ones let me know.~[/u/rebeldefector]

Given that I have no experience with these, I give you an Amazon search for bar end lights

If anyone has a preference I can update.

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Fenders

Plenty of options available, all of them likely appropriate. Spoil yourself.~[/u/rebeldefector]

Check with your local bike store!

Make sure they are wide enough to fit your tires, narrow enough to fit in your forks!


Panniers/Racks

Save yourself from a sore sweaty back if you have gear to carry, you will thank me later. It's advisable to get waterproof luggage, or rain covers. Sometimes snow melts while it's falling out of the sky. ~[/u/rebeldefector]

Check with your local bike store!




Pedals

Anything works, but one guy suggested:

Most people I know use clip in pedals of some variation.~[/u/rebeldefector]

(Most people I know too!)



Brakes

I use some cheapo side-pull brakes. Some prefer disc brakes for winter riding. With either of those you have to watch for ice and snow build up. I intend on giving drum brakes a try sometime soon, since the mechanism is internal and sealed from the elements. ~[/u/rebeldefector]

I prefer cantilevered brakes as it leaves room for mud and gunk without clogging. Other have advised for disc brakes because they aren't getting as dirty/wet. Ymmv.



Drivetrain



It has been suggested to carry a small blowtorch, to thaw frozen chains... logical. This hookah torch looks cool.


Internal gear hubs will save you deraileur headaches.

I've heard of chain cases to keep your chain away from the snow as well; but you might have to craft your own.


Another approach would be be to go belt-driven.



Tires


I don't have much for personal suggestions here. I've little experience with real winter tires.~[/u/rebeldefector]

Neither do I. I use my CX tires with low air.


If you are seriously considering them, which I am, you may want to read this article about studded tires:






Storage


Storage Thread TL;DR: Use a garage. If not, bring in tires, oil parts that shouldn't rust or wherever moisture might accumulate.

Note: If you are removing tires to bring inside, note your pressures. If you pump up to max pressure in the cold, bringing them in will cause over-pressure. And vice-versa, having them at pressure inside will be lower pressure in the cold. Take care.




Maintenance

Check Sheldon Brown's online guides and/or download this e-book: Bicycle Maintenance Made Ridiculously Easy

Never use WD-40 on your bike as a lubricant. It is NOT a lube.

If anyone links you here, they are dicking with you. Do not do this.



Maintain the Chain

Read this. (Also consider reading everything else he has to say about bike maintenance, because he is awesome.)

Clean and oil your chain. I like every 200-300 miles. Your chain will inevitably end up caked with salt, dirt, and grime while riding in the rainy and snowy months. Water and grime will make every contact point a wear surface, you want to minimize this, so keep it clean.

Consider a chain cleaner - $9.96...
and chain oil - $17.25

Wipe off excess oil so filth doesn't accumulate on it.

Some have said you can use chain saw "chain and bar" oil, but others counter that it's too thick/sticky and will accumulate too much dirt. Still others say you can use it mixed with mineral oil to thin it out. This is considerably cheaper option, but I can't personally attest to its viability.

Check that your chain hasn't stretched. The stretching can be exacerbated by the winter grime, especially if you don't clean frequently enough. Check out how near the bottom of this link I already posted..


Brakes

Make sure the braking surface of your tire (or discs) are clear of dirt and debris. Allowing it to remain there will accelerate the wearing of your pads.

Check your brake pads regularly that they are not below the limit line. You don't want to not have brakes when it gets wet and slippery.



Tire Care

Keep your tires true. See this. Or this.

Consider replacing your inner tubes. After a while, they can wear out and go flat even without puncture.

Check for cracking rubber, bad seals, or old worn tread. You want good tread for winter in the snow.

Regularly check your pressure. Consider riding lower pressure if you have muddy or snowy conditions.



Derailleur Care

Make sure your derailleur isn't bent or damaged, they stick out and can take abuse without you realizing it.

Everything you ever wanted to know about adjusting your derailleur, adjusting/replacing cables, etc.



Fork Abuse

Your fork oil should be fine into the coldest of temperatures.

Check your forks for cracks and damage carefully, as the mud and salt layers can obscure them easily.



Overall

Do not bring your cold, wet bike into a warm place. It will get massive amounts of condensation on it and rust. If you must, hang it to allow it to drain. There are "frame saver" products on the market to treat this, but I have never used them and don't know what to recommend.

Keep shifting surfaces and gaps as dry as possible. Pay attention to your shifters, headset, and saddle tubes for moisture and rust. When snow and ice melts, the water seeps into the nooks and crannies, so be mindful.




Relevant (recent) threads not already linked

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What is your gear setup?

Lazy links in no particular order. I may sort them into categories and neat links later, but I have a meeting to run!
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1nfnl9/can_anyone_recommend_a_good_face_maskneck_warmer/
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1ngwuo/need_recommendations_for_new_pedals/
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1m1aow/preparing_for_winter_riding_rapha_gabba_gore_or/
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1msdec/questions_about_bike_gear_winter_riding_and_using/

I highly recommend the Planet Bike SuperFlash, but it's not exactly cheap @ ~$25 just for the rear light.

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3034-1-Blinky-Superflash/dp/B0015R40JE

The light to get is the Planet Bike SuperFlash. It's a fantastic blinky taillight.

For my commute, this is what I do:

-I track it using Strava

-I keep a flat tire repair kit with me (mini pump, tire levers, patch kit, and spare tube)

-I have a headlight and a taillight and I use them DAY and night.

Taillight - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3034-1-Blinky-Superflash/dp/B0015R40JE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1333388151&sr=8-3

Headlight - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Blaze-2Watt-Headlight/dp/B0015R1NE4/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1333388229&sr=1-1

-If it's hot and/or the rainy season, I keep a change of clothes with me in a pannier, as well as the necessary supplies to clean up before changing into them.

-For long distance commutes like yours, I always have a change of clothes, because the sweat will be inevitable.

-Water!

-Plastic bags to hold my shoes/sandals/wet clothes

<3

You can make them shorter:

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3034-1-Blinky-Superflash/dp/B0015R40JE

Or even shorter:

http://amazon.com/dp/B0015R40JE

Had this one 2-3 months. Hasn't died yet, but get the wide-angle lens to go with it - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QQX3C4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Decent taillight - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-3034-1-Blinky-Superflash/dp/B0015R40JE/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1397599833&sr=1-3&keywords=superflash

The Superflash by Planet Bike is one of my favorite rear lights I've used for years. It is crazy bright and has a clip on the back which you can use for bags or if you wear a belt. https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-Superflash-Stealth-light/dp/B0015R40JE