DRLski

I've been using my redline conquest pro for commuting and training lately, I was looking at it tonight and could not believe how much salt is on it. What do you guys do to keep road salt to a minimum? I assume this can not be good for the bike or it's components. I'm tempted to just take my bike to a car wash one day since my hose is turned off for the winter on the house.

jjvw

Do you have fenders? Fenders keep both you and the bike cleaner. Fortunately I am able to hose my ride off when I get to work.

DRLski

yes but, only the crappy ones that mount with the rubber thingies because the classic longer ones won't fit on this bike

froze

Just have to rinse the bike down with fresh water, the hotter the better-but not boiling. BUT first spray on Finish Line Bike Wash and let it set for a couple of minutes then rinse. Finish Line puts a rust inhibitor in their product to prevent rust of course.

Also once you have washed the bike and rinsed it you need to apply some good wax like Mequires Gold Class; this will help protect the frame better from repeated salt and washings.

Have you also checked into the line of Planet Bike fenders? They make a wide range of fenders even 3 or 4 for road bikes.

mander

Luckily my washer and drier are right by the basement door at my place, so I have a convenient hose with warm water to wash my bike with. I figured this was a good idea so I'm glad to see it confirmed. Is any old car wax good for further protection, and is this really necessary on a fresh powdercoat?

froze

I wouldn't throw your bike in the washer and dryer if I were you...

Any old car wax is good to use and a lot sturdier then Pledge. If the powdercoat is really fresh it may not have cured 100% yet which could take 30 days..but if that was the case why would you have exposed it to salt? I think the paint has cured thus waxing it is a good thing to do. BUT make sure your wax you have does not have any abrasive in it, in otherwords not a cleaner wax or says it can remove fine scratches or dull paint; the wax I mentioned (and there's others) does not have abrasives in it and it should say that it contains no abrasive. You can test the wax by taking a piece of old cloth and wax and polish a small hidden area on your bike like the bottom of your bottom bracket and see if the cloth gets any color off the bike on to it, if it does it's too abrasive.