Cleaning the drivetrain....

[meaculpa]

Last week I posted re: my rear hub freezing up (thanks for all the feedback - I am going to work on it today if I can get to the diy shop). I'm wondering if I'm getting water in the hub & this caused the problem. Keeping in mind that I've been commuting daily on this bike for the last 16 months.
We have a garage area at work where, on every bad weather day, I take a garden watering can filled w/ warm water & rinse off the entire drivetrain. Then I wipe the bike (esp the chain) down w/ towels & set it aside to completely dry. Some hours later, I'll drop TriLube into the chain, spin it through the gears & then wipe the chain to remove excess.
Am I overdoing it or do I just need to avoid getting water on the rear cog/hub, ie just rinse the chain?
Thanks again.

ps Its a '06 Volpe w/ a Shimano Tiagra rear hub.

[tsl]

If you find water in there, you'll know what to do.

However I think you may be stuck on one definition of "frozen". It does not always refer to the liquid water becoming solid water at 32°F. Hell, my bike frame is made of frozen aluminum. Aluminum freezes at about 2100°F.

No, the definition which I think applies here is "something that's supposed to move, but doesn't", as in "my shoulder is froze up" or "my quill is frozen in the headset".

Although your problem is temperature related, it doesn't necessarily mean it's water related too. Grease becomes stiffer and frozen at low temperatures too. Different greases have different freezing points. Follow the advice in the other thread as regards cleaning and regreasing. Again, if you do find water in there, then worry about seals and stuff.

[meaculpa]

Thanks TSL. I think what I was driving at is a combo-effect of water aggravating a undergreased hub.
I didn't think about the seals needing replaced. I'll call the zoo asap.

[tsl]

I'll call the zoo asap.

:D