As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, it’s time to shift your focus from summer miles to winter cycling preparation. Whether you’re commuting, training, or riding for fun, preparing your bike for winter can make all the difference in safety, performance, and comfort.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to get your bike winter-ready, including essential maintenance tips, gear upgrades, and top products to keep you riding through rain, grit, and frost. Read on to get Winter Ready!
1. Winter Bike Maintenance: Start with a Thorough Check
Before the winter weather sets in, give your bike a full service. This will then make sure everything on the bike is in the best working condition.
Key Areas to Inspect:
- Brakes: Wet and gritty roads wear pads down faster. Check for wear and replace brake pads where necessary.
- Drivetrain: Clean your chain, cassette, and chainrings thoroughly. Winter road grime can destroy components if left unchecked and get expensive if everything is worn out.
- Tyres: Swap summer slicks for winter tyres with more grip and puncture protection. Look for models with tread and reinforced sidewalls. The Continental Gatorskin is probably one of the most popular options here.
- Cables and Housing: Moisture can cause rust or sluggish gear shifts. Replace frayed or worn cables and consider sealed cable systems for better protection.
Pro Tip: Use a bike-specific degreaser and lubricant – more on that below.
2. Use a Wet Lube and Protect Your Components
Switch from dry summer lubes to a wet lube designed for harsh, wet conditions. It lasts longer and provides better protection against rust.
Recommended Products:
- Wet Chain Lube: Muc-Off Wet Lube or Fenwicks All Condition Lube are great options
Pro Tip: Avoid over-lubing! Wipe off any excess to stop dirt and grit from sticking. Don’t allow a build up of oil as this will act as a grinding paste and actually increase drivetrain wear.
3. Keep It Clean: Wash Your Bike Regularly
Salt, grit, and road spray are your bike’s worst enemies in winter. Clean your bike after every few rides, especially if you’ve ridden through puddles or muddy roads.
Winter Bike Cleaning Essentials:
- Bucket and sponge (keep separate for drivetrain and frame)
- Bike cleaner (Muc-Off, Fenwicks, or similar)
- Chain cleaning tool or brush
- Hose with gentle pressure (avoid jet washes on bearings)
Top Tip: Apply a protective frame polish to help repel grime between washes.
4. Fit Mudguards (Full-Length if Possible)
Mudguards are essential for winter riding in the UK. They protect you, your bike, and your riding mates from road spray.
Why Fit Mudguards:
- Keeps your lower back dry, and just as important your feet. Wet feet get cold quickly and is best avoided.
- Stops road salt and grit from coating your drivetrain
- Reduces post-ride clean-up time
If your bike doesn’t have eyelets for full guards, look into clip-on options like the SKS Raceblade or Crud RoadRacer.
Our full range of Mudguards can be found here.
5. Upgrade Your Lights for Dark Mornings & Evenings
With shorter days, good visibility is vital. Don’t rely on small blinkers — invest in front and rear lights with sufficient lumens for your riding environment.
Lighting Tips:
- Front light: 800+ lumens for unlit roads. This will allow for the roads to be lit up sufficiently enough to ride safely.
- Rear light: A flashing 50–100 lumen light is ideal for visibility
- Helmet or secondary light: For added visibility and as a back-up just incase your main one fails.
Rechargeable USB lights are more eco-friendly and convenient for daily use. The battery life is also excellent on them.
Our full range of Bicycle Lights can be found here.
6. Consider a Dedicated Winter Bike
If you ride frequently through winter, it may be worth using a dedicated winter bike.
What to Look for in a Winter Bike:
- Full mudguard compatibility
- Disc brakes or long-drop rim brakes
- Wider tyre clearance (28c–35c)
Saving your best road bike for the spring can prolong its life while still allowing you to stay fit over winter. Or if you don’t want to ride outside, consider a bike set up on the turbo trainer in the garage!
7. Adjust Your Tyre Pressure
Lowering your tyre pressure slightly in winter can improve grip and control on wet or slippery roads.
General Guide:
- Road tyres: Reduce by 10–15 psi from your summer pressure
- Gravel/commuter tyres: Aim for comfort and grip over speed
Don’t go too low — you still want to avoid pinch flats and keep rolling efficiently. A good tyre pressure gauge will help
8. Gear Up: Winter Cycling Accessories You’ll Need
Keep yourself warm, dry, and visible with winter-specific cycling kit.
Must-Have Winter Cycling Gear:
- Waterproof jacket & overshoes
- Thermal gloves
- Skull cap or thermal helmet liner
- Base layers & tights
- Reflective clothing or accessories
✅ Summary: Winter-Proof Your Ride
Here’s a quick checklist to prepare your bike for winter riding in the UK:
✅ Service your bike – brakes, gears, drivetrain
✅ Switch to wet lube & sealed cables
✅ Fit winter tyres with puncture protection
✅ Install full-length mudguards
✅ Clean regularly and protect components
✅ Upgrade to high-powered lights
✅ Dress for the weather and stay visible
Shop Winter Cycling Essentials at Merlin Cycles
At Merlin Cycles, we stock everything you need to tackle winter cycling head-on — from winter tyres and wet lubes to mudguards, lights, and layered clothing.
Stop by our Chorley showroom in Lancashire or shop online for fast delivery and expert advice.
Excellent winter guide, I’ve used Kinesis ‘guards for the last few years and they have proved outstanding.