Winter Cycling - Winter Maintenance and storage

Hello,
noob here. Recently picked up Schwinn comfort bike. I live in CT and do 90% of my riding on road, some dirt paths here and there. Probably won't be riding when temps are much below 40.

I have a couple quick questions ya:

1) Should I be using wet or dry oil on my chain this winter?

2) Is it better to store my bike in the garage where temps will be closer to outside, though a bit warmer? Or would it be better to bring into the heated house when not in use?


Thanks!
allen

The rule of thumb is to match your lube to conditions--wet for wet conditions, dry for dry conditions. Actually keeping things lubed matters more than what you lube with.

For storage, bikes aren't really temperature sensitive. I keep mine inside, but only because I live in an apartment building and have no other place to keep them. Your garage will be fine. It's the damp more than the temperature.

excellent, thank you very much,

allen

last winter I brought my bike down to the basement where it was always above freezing but never warm. the bike is gonna get messy so the garage is a safe suggestion unless if it detached and will stay below freezing. that would not be good. 40 degrees or better is my suggestion. this way it can thaw out and drip dry after you wipe it down with a dry towel. I had 3 towels. one for the upper drier parts; one for the lower messy parts like the lower frame and wheels and a third for the drive-train. I also found it convenient to keep a chair nearby so I could sit while i worked on the bike.

then there is the clothing, some clothes should hang next to the bike but many items should hang in a warm house

good luck!

There is one catch to outdoor storage. If it gets warm and wet during the day, and freezes at night, then the next morning the chains and sprockets will be frozen. I have been there.

last winter I brought my bike down to the basement where it was always above freezing but never warm. the bike is gonna get messy so the garage is a safe suggestion unless if it detached and will stay below freezing. that would not be good. 40 degrees or better is my suggestion. this way it can thaw out and drip dry after you wipe it down with a dry towel. I had 3 towels. one for the upper drier parts; one for the lower messy parts like the lower frame and wheels and a third for the drive-train. I also found it convenient to keep a chair nearby so I could sit while i worked on the bike.

then there is the clothing, some clothes should hang next to the bike but many items should hang in a warm house

good luck!

a floor mat for the rear seats of a pickup or van will be enough to catch it all.
or one set of floor mats for a car will work too.

In terms of lubrication for temps not much lower than 40, just keep doing what you've been doing (assuming you have been doing something that works). Your big enemy on winter rides isn't going to be the cold, it's going to be the crap road crews spread around to melt the snow. Plan on cleaning your chain more often, like every ride. Once they start salting/sanding the roads, you'll pick up a ton of grit and your chain will deteriorate very quickly. Also, keep an eye on your brake pads which will wear out much faster, and can pick up grit as well and score the braking surfaces on your rims.

Ride safe,

BL