rain + bike
 

i ride my bike to school and in socal raining season is here so my bike might get wet. if it was below $100 i wouldnt care about it rusting but i have a fit prk3 and im worried about it rusting so what im asking is this. is it bad for the bike if i ride in rain, like its just pouring all over my bike. (will post fulll specs if needed)

post in the commuter forum, they know all about this subject

I ride a fit Trl 3. I've been riding it in the rain all winter here in Australia. As long as all your bolts and what not are properly greased you should be fine. I'm not talking about oiling your chain, I mean actual grease on every bolt. same thing for your bottom bracket. Pretty much anywhere metal touches metal needs a good layer of grease on it. You'll still get a bit of rust on the inside of your bottom bracket shell and maybe inside your headtube, but really it'll be fine.
Grease is the wet weather cyclists best friend.

I forgot my bike outside many times when it was pouring. It is fine just wipe it down the next chance you can get. My bike was more than yours and I'm not too worried about it.

Also, your bike should be fine but if you have a cloth seat think of bagging it or replacing it, a wet cloth seat can get to smell like a wet dog.

Don't worry about rain. Just make sure you let it dry nice and open ...

ill just ride a $20 bike when it rains then

Glad we could help?

If no salt is used, and the frame is made with good quality steel, no worries. My '70 something bike, I rode 13 miles each way through Portland Oregon winters, not a spot of rust. I'm guessing you're not going to put fenders on a BMX bike, so as long as your ok with getting wet and no salt is used on the road, your bike will not rust out from under you.

I don't think it gets cold enough to get snow or ice in socal, so I'm sure there is no need for melting anything.

I have yet to wash or even wipe down the frame since the middle of last winter.

Hi, don't worry about it to much. Oil the chain after it dry's, drop per link then let set and come back in about 5 mins. to wipe off excess. Brakes, Just disconnect the brake lines at the rotor and oil each section as best you can as they are prefab and can't be disassembled fully. Once every 6 months should be fine unless you feel them starting to bind up in the levers, then do sooner. I think the rest of the bike is probably sealed bearings but I would check with the shop on that. If not then I would recommend a re grease of the wheels and cranks at least once a year. Also the biggest thing I see most of the time with BMX bikes, are ridden with loose crank or wheel bearings and that destroys the hubs and sometimes the cranks. Always check for loose play of the bearings and fix as soon as you notice any of this happening, ridding won't fix it. Good luck. Me, I have modified Redline John Purse signature team.

i found the $20 bike in the back of my garage also it rained on my bike and i now have to change the stem screws as they rusted

Dude, stem screws always rust a bit, they don't ned to be replaced. My week old stem bolts are rusting a little already. Do make sure the stem screws are greased properly so that the stem doesn't bind...
I love how we all told you not to worry too much about the rain and you announced that you would go get a cheaper bike...

I agree with nwbikeman... don't worry about it too much. To my knowledge BMX bikes are generally better equipped for adverse weather conditions than say road bikes, for example. Just check your bike regularly and make the odd tweaks...it'll be fine.

What are best specific steps (tips) to waterproof bike?

If you seal up the bike frame holes, moisture forms to rust? (unless a frame bathed or sprayed in proper solution)
Should you? (to prevent rain into frame)

Here he tapes his frame.

http://hacktastico.com/2009/02/01/ho...-on-the-cheap/