Suntour X-1 is very good stuff; no reason to ruin it. But that doesn't mean you can't use it in the winter. I've ridden a couple old HardRocks / Rockhoppers in plenty of snow/ice/salt over the last several winters. I bring out a bucket of hot soapy water and slosh it around on the bike after each ride. Run in and get a bucket of hot rinse water and slosh it on. Bring the bike in before it cools/dries, let it drip-dry on some newspaper. No rust so far.
Last edited by madpogue; 09-23-22 at 01:39 PM.