Winter bike maintenance: what to check before the cold arrives

With cold, rain and salt on the roads, winter is the hardest season for your bike. Half an hour of checks before the cold arrives avoids breakdowns, unexpected costs and ruined rides.

Deep clean

Start with a full clean: frame, wheels, drivetrain. After every wet ride, a rinse with clean water and a quick dry stops dirt and salt damaging components. The guide to cleaning and lubricating your chain shows how to do it well.

Drivetrain and lubricant

In winter use a wet-conditions lubricant, thicker and more resistant to washing off than a dry one. Check chain wear with a gauge and replace it before it ruins cassette and chainrings: changing it in time costs less. Read more in the chain and drivetrain maintenance guide.

Brakes

In the wet your brakes work harder. Check pad thickness, rim or rotor cleanliness and cable tension. With disc brakes make sure there are no oil leaks and that the lever travel is consistent.

Tyres

Inspect tyres for cuts and wear, and remove embedded glass or small stones. Consider fitting tyres with extra puncture protection for the cold season. Set pressure as explained in the tyre pressure guide.

Cables, bolts and lights

Check housings and cables, tighten the main bolts to the right torque and test your lights: with shorter days you will need them. Recharge or replace batteries.

A checklist to print

Every month in winter, spend ten minutes on these checks: tyre pressure, chain noise, brake performance after a rainy day, light charge, and the tightness of saddle and seatpost. If something squeaks, it is usually a sign that it needs lubricant or cleaning, not a serious fault.

When to visit the workshop

Take the bike to a mechanic if you notice play in the bottom bracket or headset, loose spokes, oil on disc brakes, or a gear shift that will not adjust. A yearly check before the cold season costs less than a ruined component, and lets you find wear before it leaves you stranded.

To start equipped

For the cold season, a wet-conditions chain lube and a chain wear gauge are useful.

A few minutes of care each month gets you to spring with a bike that works like new.