Autumn is hard on everything you ride with.
Rain, grit, mud and road spray wear down chains, brake pads and tyres far faster than dry summer roads. And your kit gets washed more often than at any other time of the year. A few minutes of care after each wet ride, and one proper check at the start of the season, make the difference between a bike and kit that last for years and ones that give up by spring.
~5 min read · Jump to: Bike checklist · After a wet ride · Kit care · Storing summer kit · FAQ · Shop
The Start-of-Autumn Bike Checklist
- Brake pads. Wet grit acts like sandpaper. Check the wear indicators and carry a spare set if you ride a lot.
- Tyres. Look for cuts and worn tread. Autumn roads are full of flints and debris after rain. Consider slightly wider or more puncture-resistant tyres, and a little less pressure for grip.
- Chain and drivetrain. Measure chain wear. A worn chain eats cassettes and chainrings, which are far more expensive to replace.
- Lights. Check they work, charge them, and fix the mounts. With the clocks going back at the end of October, you'll need them.
- Mudguards. If your bike takes them, autumn is the time to fit them.
For a deeper look at simple, low-impact maintenance, read our guide to sustainably maintaining your bike.
After Every Wet Ride: Five Minutes That Save Your Bike
- Rinse the grit off with low-pressure water. Avoid high-pressure jets on bearings.
- Dry the chain with a rag, then apply a wet-weather lube and wipe off the excess.
- Wipe the rims or discs so the brakes stay clean.
- Store the bike somewhere dry, not on a wet balcony.
The habit that matters: a bike cleaned in five minutes after the ride needs far less work, and far fewer new parts, than one cleaned once a month.
Protect your kit, and the oceans, in every wash.
Shop the Washing BagKit Care: Wash, Dry, Repair
Wash smarter
At 30°C, inside out, zips closed, no softener (it clogs technical fabrics and reduces breathability). Synthetic textiles shed microfibres in the wash: an anti-microplastic washing bag reduced broken fibres by 86% in tests by the Fraunhofer Institute, and protects the fabric at the same time. Full routine in how to wash recycled cycling kit.
Dry gently
Air dry, away from the radiator and out of direct heat. No tumble dryer: heat damages elastane and chamois.
Repair before you replace
A tear, a crash, a broken zip: most damage can be fixed. VELOR offers a repair programme and crash replacement, because a jersey worn twice as long is one less jersey to produce.
Pass it on, or bring it back
Doesn't fit anymore? Give it away or sell it on. Truly worn out? Bring it back: old jerseys are the raw material for RELOV, the first jersey made from old jerseys.
Storing Your Summer Kit
Before you put short sleeves and bib shorts away, wash them one last time and make sure they're completely dry. Fold them rather than hanging them by the straps, and keep them somewhere dry and dark. Don't put everything away: arm warmers and leg warmers keep your summer jersey and bib shorts useful well into autumn. See how in our autumn layering guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my bike in autumn?
A quick rinse, dry and chain lube after every wet ride, and a full clean every few weeks. Small, frequent care is more effective than an occasional deep clean.
What lube should I use in wet weather?
A wet-weather lube, which resists being washed off by rain. Apply it to a clean, dry chain and wipe off the excess to avoid attracting grit.
How should I wash cycling clothes?
At 30°C, inside out, without softener, ideally in a washing bag, then air dry away from heat. This protects the fabric, the chamois and the elastane.
What can I do with an old cycling jersey?
Repair it, give it away or sell it on. When it's truly worn out, bring it back to VELOR: old jerseys are recycled into new RELOV jerseys.
Go Further
Curious about what happens to your old jersey? Read how RELOV turns old jerseys into new ones and how VELOR challenges the sportswear model. Riding in the wet? Read how to stay dry, warm and visible in autumn.
Shop Kit Care and Circular Kit
Make what you have last, and close the loop when it's time to replace it.
