Sweat Protect: How to NOT ruin your bike while training indoors this winter

There’s nothing quite like the off-season to get yourself on a structured plan through indoor cycling on a turbo trainer.

During the summer, many cyclists log long miles just for the sheer joy of riding – that's what makes us cyclists, after all. Yet, as we shift our focus towards improving and reaching our peak performance, we often find ourselves missing the structure and form we worked so hard to cultivate during the winter months. It's during those dark and rainy days when an intense structured workout with friends in a warm, dry room is a perfect solution. The off-season presents an excellent opportunity to revamp your training plan, set your goals, and prepare for your key event the following summer.

Unless you have the freedom of chasing summer across the world for 12 months a year, the best way to fit a significant amount of training in during the cold, dark months is on a turbo trainer. The problem that a lot of people face is not having a second bike that they are willing to ‘sacrifice’ to the blood, sweat and tears that rain onto their ‘turbo bike’.

However, this has not got to be the case. Your one bike to rule them all, your pride and joy, your race bike, can also be your turbo companion without it getting ruined by following a few key steps.

In this guide, we'll explore how to safeguard your bike and keep it in great shape while training indoors.

Turbo-Proofing Your Ride: The Preparation

To ensure your bike's protected before mounting it on the turbo, there are a few essential steps. Greasing your headset bearings should be a top priority, as they are usually the first victims of neglect, whether you're cycling indoors or outdoors. You may have noticed brown water running down your fork when washing your bike; this is rust from the neglected headset bearings. While these bearings will eventually need replacement, allowing sweat to accumulate in them over months will accelerate their deterioration.

Applying grease creates a waterproof barrier, safeguarding these crucial components. Don't forget to apply a bit of grease around your stem bolts to form a waterproof barrier for this vulnerable area.

Investing in a sweat catcher is an excellent way to shield these areas from sweat exposure. These are V-shaped pieces of fabric that wrap around your handlebars and are secured to your seatpost. They start at around £10 and offer valuable protection. We recommend removing the sweat catcher after each ride so that it can dry out if it's wet without touching any bike components. Simply using a towel to dab yourself while riding can also help keep your bike safe.

For an added layer of protection, we recommend Muc-Off's Sweat Protect or Bike Protect product. This oil-based coating effectively displaces water. However, exercise caution when applying it, as it's a spray, and the last place you want it is near your brakes, discs, or rim. Ensure you cover the braking contact points before using this protector.

Insert a brake pad spacer. If you are on rim brakes, you don’t need to worry. If you are on discs then it’s vital to insert a pad spacer to replace where the disc on your rear wheel would normally be. If you forget to do this and accidently pull on your brake level the pistons in your brakes will close and you won’t be able to get your disc back in when reattaching your rear wheel. This is really easy to prevent and really inconvenient when forgotten as it may require a brake bleed.

Cool Comfort

Ensuring adequate ventilation is a crucial practice, benefiting both your workout performance and the protection of your bike from excessive perspiration. Think of a fan as a wise investment in your and your bike's long-term well-being. Regardless of whether you initially feel cold or live in a cooler climate, failing to open a window and use a fan during your indoor cycling sessions can lead to an increase in your core temperature. This rise in temperature can not only diminish your performance but also result in a significant amount of sweat.

It's important to understand that your sweat contains corrosive salts, making it potentially harmful to your bike. These salts can initiate the deterioration of bike components, especially in areas where water can pool. Using a fan is advantageous because it aids in the evaporation process, ultimately reducing the amount of sweat that comes into contact with your bike. However, the importance of ventilation extends beyond the duration of your ride.

After completing your session, keeping the fan running and a window open is crucial for ventilating the room and reducing humidity levels. Additionally, consider using a dehumidifier to reduce the room's moisture levels.

Winter's Dirty Secret: Keeping Your Bike Clean

Just like when you ride outdoors and wash your bike to remove salt and dirt buildup, the same principle applies to indoor riding. Even though your bike may not appear visibly dirty, it's essential to clean it to get rid of accumulated salt. Treat your indoor-ridden bike like a summer ride: hose it down and allow it to dry. You may need to leave it in front of a fan or in a warm, well-ventilated room to expedite the drying process. This swift drying is crucial to prevent component rusting. Again, when cleaning and drying pay close attention to your headset.

Additionally, pay close attention to your drivetrain. You might assume that indoor riding keeps your drivetrain (chain, chainring, cassette, etc.) free from mud and road grime. However, you'd be surprised at how, even in a clean indoor environment, mechanical wear and dust can necessitate cleaning. Make sure to clean it and apply a dry lube or wax for proper lubrication.

Routine TLC

Now that we've discussed the application of grease and protectors for your bike, it's equally crucial to maintain a regular maintenance routine. Just as you would clean your bike after riding outside during winter, it's essential to clean it after indoor training sessions. Cleaning too frequently may introduce excess moisture to your bike's components without allowing them to dry properly. On the other hand, cleaning too infrequently might leave corrosive salts on your bike. Don't forget to remove the front wheel when cleaning, as sweat tends to accumulate between the axle and forks.

When it comes to bar tape, it's the least glamorous task for any bike mechanic so save them from the smell and you from needing new bars. Unwrapping bar tape that has endured a winter's worth of sweat can reveal deteriorated and corroded handlebars beneath. Proper cleaning and disinfection are essential. Muc-Off offers a bike-safe antibacterial spray, which we highly recommend for cleaning your bar tape. Depending on how extensively you've ridden your bike over the winter, you may need to replace it at some point. While gloves can protect your bar tape from damage, they might not be the best option for indoor training sessions that already make you feel like you're in warm weather conditions.

Final note, when moving your bike be careful not to put any stress on your bike’s axles. It’s not natural for it to have a 22kg anchor instead of an 800g rear wheel, so for any big movements or carrying from A to B, detach it from the turbo.

Ready for the Road

Indoor training on a smart turbo trainer can be game-changing for your winter fitness but don't forget to care for your bike. With proper setup and maintenance, your bike will remain in excellent condition, ensuring it's ready to seamlessly transition between indoors and outdoors.

Have any other tips for protecting your bike while turbo training? We’d love to hear it, head over to our Instagram page and join the discussion.

Want to set a goal to train for this winter? Get in touch for our road cycling holiday offers in 2024.