Post Ride Checks That Keep Your Gravel Bike Running
Gravel bikes take a beating in winter. Wet, muddy rides leave your bike caked in grit and grime. A quick check after each ride keeps things running smoothly and saves you from bigger problems later. Five minutes is all it takes.
What to Do After Every Ride
These checks are simple. You don't need tools, just a rag and five minutes.
1. Wipe Down the Frame
Mud and road spray carry salt and grit that corrode paint and components. Wipe down the frame, fork, and stays with a damp cloth. Focus on areas where mud collects, like the bottom bracket, chainstays, and fork crown.
Why it matters: Corrosion starts fast on UK roads in winter. Wiping down after each ride prevents build up.
2. Check the Chain
Your chain tells you everything about your drivetrain. Run a clean rag along the chain to remove surface dirt. If the rag comes away black, your chain needs a proper clean and lube.
Quick lube tip: If the chain is dry or squeaking, add a drop of lube to each link and wipe off the excess. Don't overlube. More is not better.
When to clean properly: When shifting feels rough, the chain sounds gritty, or you can see dirt caked between the links.
3. Inspect the Tyres
Check for cuts, embedded glass, or thorns. Run your fingers over the tread and sidewalls. Pull out anything stuck in there before it works its way through to the tube or sealant.
Tubeless riders: Check sealant levels every few weeks. Top up if needed.
Why it matters: A small cut can become a flat on your next ride. Better to catch it now.
4. Brake Check
Squeeze the brake levers. They should feel firm and consistent. If they're spongy or pulling to the bar, your pads might be worn or you need a bleed.
Look at the brake pads. If they're thin or worn unevenly, replace them. Don't wait until they're metal on metal.
Disc brake tip: Spray and muck can contaminate pads. If your brakes are squealing, your pads might need cleaning or replacing.
5. Look for Loose Bolts
Give your bike a quick visual check. Look for anything loose, bent, or out of place. Check bottle cage bolts, saddle clamps, and handlebar bolts. Mud and vibration can work bolts loose over time.
When to tighten: If something looks off or feels wobbly. Don't wait.
When to Do a Proper Clean
After a particularly muddy or wet ride, your bike needs more than a wipe down. Here's when to do a full wash:
- Mud in or on the drivetrain
- Shifting feels sluggish or rough
- The bike looks like it's been through a bog (because it has)
How to wash properly:
- Rinse with low pressure water. High pressure forces water into bearings.
- Use bike specific cleaner or diluted washing up liquid and a soft brush.
- Scrub the frame, wheels, and drivetrain.
- Rinse off the soap.
- Dry with a clean cloth or blower
- Lube the chain once it's dry.
Service Outpost tip: Use a chain cleaning tool for a deep clean. Run degreaser through it, rinse, dry, then lube.
When to Book a Service
Some jobs need a mechanic. If you're dealing with any of the following, book a service:
- Gears won't index properly despite adjustments
- Brakes feel spongy or inconsistent
- Headset or bottom bracket feels rough or creaky
- Wheels are out of true or spokes are loose
How often:
Most riders should service their gravel bike every six months if they ride regularly through winter.
Keep It Simple
Post ride maintenance is not complicated. Wipe it down, check the chain, look at the tyres, and keep an eye on the brakes. Five minutes after each ride keeps your bike reliable and extends the life of your components.
The riders who keep showing up are the ones who look after their bikes. Make it a hab
FAQ's
What post ride checks should I do after winter gravel riding?
After every winter gravel ride, run quick post ride checks: wipe down the frame, fork and drivetrain, check the chain, inspect the tyres and test the brakes. These five-minute checks reduce corrosion and premature wear and help catch issues before your next ride.
Why is cleaning a gravel bike after winter rides so important?
Winter gravel rides coat a gravel bike in grit, road salt and moisture that accelerate wear on chains, bearings and brakes. Cleaning a gravel bike after winter rides removes abrasive dirt before it damages components, saving money and keeping shifting and braking smooth.
How often should I clean my gravel bike properly in winter?
If you ride regularly through winter, give your gravel bike a full clean every few weeks or sooner, especially after muddy rides. Clean the drivetrain thoroughly, wash the frame and wheels, dry the bike and re-lubricate moving parts before the next outing.
What signs show my gravel bike needs servicing?
Book a service if gears skip or hesitate, brakes feel spongy or inconsistent, the headset feels rough or tyres show uneven wear. Persistent drivetrain noise or loose bolts that keep returning are clear signs your gravel bike needs professional attention.
Can quick post ride checks really prevent expensive repairs?
Yes. Quick post ride checks prevent expensive repairs by catching small problems early, like a dry chain, contaminated brake pads or loose bolts. Fixing them fast stops accelerated wear and extends the life of a gravel bike through the winter.
Tyre Choice and Pressures for UK Gravel
Tyres can make or break your gravel ride. This blog cuts through the guesswork on width, tread and pressure, showing you what actually works for UK conditions.
Getting the right set up is half the battle
Getting your gravel bike set up right is the difference between enjoying the ride and counting down the miles. This blog breaks down the key adjustments that actually matter, from saddle height to bar position and tyre pressure, without drowning you in jargon.
Just because it’s wet and cold, doesn’t mean we’re not having fun
February gravel isn’t about hero rides. It’s about quiet trails, mixed surfaces and riding for the sake of it. This blog dives into why Ribble staff and the Outliers keep choosing gravel when winter drags on, from traffic-free routes to bikes built to handle proper UK conditions.
Post Ride Checks That Keep Your Gravel Bike Running
Winter wrecks bikes. This blog shows you how to fight back in five minutes flat. No tools, no faff. Just the simple checks that stop small issues turning into expensive problems. From wiping down grit to spotting tyre cuts and keeping your chain alive, it’s the bare minimum that makes a massive difference. Ride more. Fix less. Your future self will thank you.
Winter Gravel Essentials: What Actually Works in UK Conditions
Winter gravel isn’t about suffering. It’s about turning up and staying comfortable. This guide shares no-nonsense kit advice from Ribble staff and the Outliers on what actually works in a UK February.
Best Road Bikes for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Getting Started
New to road cycling and drowning in jargon? This guide cuts through the noise. We break down what actually matters on your first road bike, from comfort to gearing, and show you which options suit real UK riding. No hard sell. No tech waffle. Just straight-talking advice to help you choose a bike you will actually enjoy riding.
When To Service Your Bike? A Practical Guide for Every Rider
Looking after your bike doesn’t start and end with a clean after riding. Regular servicing keeps it working at its best, no matter how often you ride. The tricky part is knowing when a service is needed. Too early feels unnecessary. Too late and the problems have already crept in. This guide breaks it down simply so you can ride more and worry less.
Staying Motivated: Winter Wisdom From The Ribble Family
When winter kills your motivation, even the pros feel it. The difference is they’ve built strategies that keep them riding when willpower runs out. Here’s how they stay consistent, break through the slump, and keep the pedals turning through the toughest months.
10 weeks down and far from decided: here’s why to join now
Ten weeks in and building momentum. Join the Ribble Winter Racing Series now - your best 10 results count. Race hard, miss weeks, progress.
Podiums, Progress and Proper Riding
2025 was a year of real momentum at Ribble. From podium finishes across the global gravel scene to the launch of 22 new bikes, progress showed up where it matters most. Here are the moments and machines that defined our 2025.
Best Road Bikes 2026
A clear guide to choosing the right road bike for how you actually ride, cutting through the noise to explain what actually makes a road bike ‘the best’ in 2026.
Get Back To Cycling Training Plan
This 4-week plan is designed to increase your FTP with targeted threshold work, sweet spot training, VO₂ max intervals, and progressive endurance—building the adaptations needed to hold higher power for longer.