There’s no denying that winter is hard on bikes, salt on the road, more mud and grit on the trails, these are all elements that mean you need to be on top of your bike upkeep for winter riding. Firstly to make sure you don’t have any roadside issues, and most importantly it will save you money in the long run!

We’ve pulled together a selection of tips and checklists to follow to ensure you and your bike make it through the colder months.

bike mechanic prepping bicycle for winter

Clean your bike

The number one tip on how to protect your bike in winter is to keep your bike clean! A clean bike is a fast bike. It’s good to get into the habit of cleaning your bike down after every ride, especially if it has got muddy or if you have ridden on gritted roads. These can soon create a grinding paste that will wear through drivetrain components in no time. Don’t be tempted to go in all guns blazing with a high powered pressure washer as these can clean all the grease out of bearings that is there to keep your bike running smooth. A good old bucket and sponge, or Muc-Off bike specific pressure washer is the way to go.

Lubricate the drivetrain

Once you have cleaned your bike the next step to a trouble free winter is to start the preparation for your next ride – lubricating the moving parts of the drivetrain. In the British winter you most likely want to be using a good quality wet lube – make sure not to put too much on and wipe off the excess. A protective spray such as Muc-Off Bike Protect will also help to drive away any excess moisture and leave a protective layer on metal parts to keep them functioning smoothly.

Check components for wear

Winter can be seriously hard on certain components, mainly brake pads and wheel rims, if you’re on a rim brake bike. A regular check on these components, especially brake pads can help to save you money in the long run by stopping more expensive rotors or rims from being damaged. Checking your chain should also be a regular part of your maintenance schedule, this will help substantially in making sure your cassette and chainrings last longer. 

There’s almost always more debris on the road during the colder months, meaning the likelihood of getting a puncture increases. Give yourself the best chance to avoid those cold roadside fixes by checking your tyres for wear and cuts, and replace them if necessary.

bike mechanic oiling chain

Pre-ride check

Pre-ride checks should be common place year round, but especially in winter. An easy way to make sure you don’t miss anything is the M-check. It gets its name from the rough shape you follow to make sure you don’t miss anything!

  1. Front wheel – is the wheel properly secured in the frame, check either the quick release, thru axle, or nuts. Does the tyre show any excessive wear? Is it inflated to the correct pressure? Do the brakes work? Is their life left in the pads and rotor or rim?
  2. Handlebars – are the handlebar and stem bolts correctly torqued? Do the brake levers work correctly? When the brakes are applied is there any play in the front wheel? If your bike has suspension are the forks set up correctly and functioning as they should?
  3. Chainset and bottom bracket – check for any play in the bottom bracket by applying the brakes and pushing down on the pedals, any play and it most likely needs some further maintenance! Check the chainring teeth for wear, if they start to resemble shark fins it is time for some fresh ones. If you run a front derailleur is it lubricated and moving freely? Are your pedals spinning freely? If you run clipped pedals are the cleats in good order?
  4. Saddle and seatpost – Is your saddle in the correct position and torqued correctly? If you have a dropper ensure it is functioning smoothly and free of dirt and debris.
  5. Rear wheel – check your chain is correctly lubricated and is not overly worn. Are you gears function correctly and changing smoothly? As with your front wheel check the tyre for cuts, wear and ensure it is correctly inflated.

Want to minimise the risks of road/trail side winter maintenance?

A great way to ensure you and your bike get through winter with as few issues as possible is to book your bike into our workshop for a race service which is a great pre-winter check up for your bike. This includes:

  • Basic clean
  • Lubricate all moving components
  • Headset service and bearing check
  • Check drivetrain for wear, clean, re-lube and index gears
  • Full bolt check to ensure everything is correctly torqued
  • Check wheels are true, spokes are tensioned correctly and brake pads.
  • Full service report with any recommendations. 

What’s more is that through December 2021 and January 2022, we’ll throw in a free bottle of Dirt Shifter to help you keep your fresh bike clean through winter!

Write A Comment