Protection from Salt

[pyze-guy]

With the 1/8" of snow that fell the other night in Toronto, the city decided to waste money and salt the roads, so now I had a chain covered in salt residue. I put a new chain on today with a new cog, and was curious as to what type of lube/proction there is to help against winter/salt damage.

[jeff-o]

And a similar question, is it OK if the rollers on the chain are nice and shiny, but the plates are rusted?

[ghettocruiser]

I keep it oiled with something pretty think, like Phil's. Rinse the bike when possible.

Rust is rarely a major contributing factor in the demise of my bicycle chains.

[zipster]

I use a product called CP-90 (http://www.carwell.com), a rust inhibitor. I was amazed how well it works as a chain lube, too.

Once the salt hit the roads here in St. Paul, MN, I completely broke down the bike and applied it to anything threaded. I also applied a thin coat to brake bodies, nipples, etc. It does attracts dirt, but at least I know there's corrosion protection in those areas.

[grolby]

Salt does not cause rust! This is important! Rust is simply oxidized iron (which is the major component of steel) and is usually facilitated by water, which is mostly oxygen by mass. Salt corrodes steel by an entirely different chemical process, and unless your rust inhibitor blocks this process, it will do no good against salt corrosion. Rusting and corrosion by salt each make it easier for the other process to work, but they are not the same thing at all. By the way, salt will just as happily eat away at your aluminum frame as it will your steel bike. Salt corrosion is very different from rust! My advice for dealing with road salt is to have fenders on your bike and to clean it every now and then to get the salt out of the little nooks and crannies on your bike where it likes to sit and work its wicked magic. Mostly, just take care of your bike, use a bike that isn't too valuable to you if it really worries, and then simply relax about it. Keeping up with basic maintenance will keep your bike happy and safe from salt.

[zipster]

Mostly, just take care of your bike, use a bike that isn't too valuable to you if it really worries, and then simply relax about it. Keeping up with basic maintenance will keep your bike happy and safe from salt.

I 100% agree about basic maintenance. Thanks a lot for the excellent info about rust and corrosion btw. My commuter is my old trail steed, so I'm kind of sentimental about it and take as many preventative measures as possible. I plan to clean the bike well at least once a month, if not more. Of course there are other areas that require weekly type care, I know.

I'm way ahead of you on the fenders. :) Actually, I made a front one out of coroplast which I have been very happy with in nasty rain. It keeps my chain very clean and my feet dry. Not so sure how it will hold up against snow, but I think it will help. The rear fender is a hodge-podge of creativity with plastic and duct tape.

Here are a few picts (http://web.mac.com/alanebbert/iWeb/Site/Winter_Commuter_Bike.html).

[KLW2]

I use a product called CP-90 (http://www.carwell.com), a rust inhibitor. I was amazed how well it works as a chain lube, too.

Once the salt hit the roads here in St. Paul, MN, I completely broke down the bike and applied it to anything threaded. I also applied a thin coat to brake bodies, nipples, etc. It does attracts dirt, but at least I know there's corrosion protection in those areas.

Zipster, is there a local retailer? I'd like to pick some up, as you know, the roads are white already and we haven't had any snow yet!
Keith

[Lurker1999]

My solution is to use a winter beater bike where I plan to salvage the fenders and rack at the end of winter. If the bike's still running by then I'll sell it on Craigslist cheaply.

[zipster]

Zipster, is there a local retailer? I'd like to pick some up, as you know, the roads are white already and we haven't had any snow yet!
Keith

I hear ya Keith. MNDOT got excited and dropped a ton of it. I ordered a gallon of the stuff and two full applicator bottles about 3 years ago from Carwell direct. It lasts forever. I do a lot of my own vehicle maintenance and it does a great job of keeping bolts and screws from rusting and fusing.

I see you live in WBL, too. Nice to see I'm not the only winter rider out here in this neck of the woods. Maybe we can take the bikes out on White Bear Lake once the ice is safe. Great entertainment for the ice fishermen I'm sure.

Heck, I have plenty of the CP-90. I'll send you a PM with my address and email. Maybe you can stop by my place.