Keep your wheels spinning — winter care makes all the difference!

As winter approaches, harsh trail conditions, salt, grit, and moisture all start working against your bike. Without care, components corrode, drivetrains wear faster, and your frame loses its shine. But with a solid winter maintenance routine — you can protect your ride, reduce headaches, and keep your wheels spinning smoothly all season.

At Saracen, we trust the Gtechniq line of cycle care products (available in our accessories collection) for just that purpose. Here’s how to build a winter care regime using there products — plus tips to make it practical in cold, wet months.

Why Gtechniq?

A few reasons why the range is a smart choice for winter:

• • Heritage from automotive/marine sectors: Gtechniq has over two decades’ experience in protecting premium surfaces. Their “smart surface” technology is now adapted for bikes.
  • Strong protection against grime: Their ceramic coatings (like Bike Ceramic) chemically bond to your paint or finish, forming a slick barrier that reduces how much dirt, salt, and muck can stick.
  • Longer durability, less frequent deep cleaning: A well-applied Gtechniq coating can last many months (some say up to 24 months) — meaning less time scrubbing and more time riding.
  • Biodegradable, pH‑neutral cleaning: Their Bike Wash is formulated to be gentle yet effective, helping break the bond between dirt and your surfaces without harmful chemicals.

Winter Care Routine — Step by Step

Here’s an approach you can adopt when the weather turns rough. Depending on how often you ride and how foul the conditions get, you can do parts of this weekly and parts monthly.

1. Rinse Off Salt & Grit Promptly

Salt and grit are highly corrosive, especially in winter trail conditions. The sooner you rinse them off, the better. Use plain water — a garden sprayer or hose works well — to remove surface contaminants. If it’s freezing, rinse your bike indoors or in a sheltered area to avoid freeze damage. Many riders keep a compact spray bottle or low-pressure sprayer nearby to rinse their bike straight after a ride.

2. Apply Gtechniq Bike Wash

Once the surface grit is off, it’s time for a deeper clean. Use Bike Wash, a pH-neutral, biodegradable formula designed to break down oils, films, and dirt without harming your frame or components. Add two capfuls to a 20-litre bucket of warm water. Wash the bike thoroughly using a soft mitt, and rinse well afterward.

3. Use a Safe Wash Tool

Avoid harsh brushes or sponges that can scratch or swirl your bike’s finish. Instead, use a Gtechniq Bike Microfibre Wash Mitt — it glides smoothly over surfaces and releases grit easily when rinsed. Be sure to rinse it regularly during use to prevent reintroducing debris to your frame.

4. Drivetrain Care

Your drivetrain — chain, cassette, jockey wheels — takes the most abuse during winter. Use Gtechniq Drivetrain Degreaser to clean these components thoroughly. After rinsing and drying, re-lubricate with a suitable winter-grade chain lube. Cleaning little and often is more effective (and less damaging) than allowing grime to build up over weeks.

5. Dry Carefully

Drying is essential to prevent water spots and prepare your bike for protection. Use a Gtechniq Bike Drying Towel or other soft microfiber towel to gently blot and dry surfaces. Avoid high heat or compressed air, which can drive moisture into bearings or joints.

6. (Optional) Reapply Protective Coating

If your bike is already ceramic-coated, winter grime can slowly wear it down. Reapplying a coating like Gtechniq Bike Ceramic or the quicker Ceramic Quick Coat restores your bike’s slick, hydrophobic layer. Be sure the frame is completely clean and dry before application. Apply in a controlled indoor environment, let it cure for about 24 hours, and avoid washing for the next 7 days to allow the coating to fully bond.

7. Spot Maintenance Between Full Washes

Sometimes you won’t have time for a full clean. After wet or gritty rides, a quick wipe-down can work wonders. Use light sprays or a foam cleanser, wipe with a microfibre towel, and reapply a quick top-up of your protective coating if needed. It’s a simple step that helps avoid more extensive cleaning sessions later.

Why This Makes a Real Difference

• • Road salt and grit are silently destructive. Left unchecked, they accelerate corrosion, wear bearings and degrade your frame’s finish.
  • A slick coating changes the game: dirt wants to slip off, water beads up and rolls off, and you spend less time scrubbing when the season warms.
  • Reducing friction from grit also helps preserve drivetrain life and keeps shifting smoother through winter.
  • The time invested now — washing, coating, protecting — pays off by avoiding expensive repairs or irreversible cosmetic damage later.

Final Thoughts

Winter is a test not just of rider, but of how well your machine survives you. With a better care routine — you can ride on through the cold months knowing your bike is protected, performing, and ready when spring calls.

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