Bike left in the rain?
 

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Is your bike a nice lugged-steel vintage Serotta? Or do you ride an aluminum mountain bike? Generally, when I've had to leave a bike in the rain, I leave the steel bikes at home and make sure that I tie a plastic bag around the seat. Wipe it down when you're back home. It should be fine.

Whether you leave your bike out in the rain or ride it in or after rain, it's going to get wet. Lube/maintain your bikes mechanical parts so that they're prepared for it, get a saddle cover for when you park outside (a plastic bag works just fine for my Brooks) and that'll be it, I'd say.

Though I don't like to leave my bike outside in the rain, I know it's not going to be a big deal - all I make sure I do is (as with every lockup) remove all my lights/computer junk. And, of course, the bag over my Brooks saddle.

Constant exposure to sun and rain is hard on a number of components but if you are using the bike regularly and you keep up on the maintenance, including lubing all the bare metal parts, it should last for a long time. Boeshield T9 claims to be designed by the aircraft industry for just this type of protection.

Craig

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I ride my bike every work day, rain or shine. At work it gets to be parked inside the garage where its nice and dry, but at home I have to leave it out. I just make sure that I cover my brooks saddle. I use a shower cap.

I also clean and lube the thing every weekend. In the winter I use a dry teflon lube. In the summer I use White Lightening.

LUCKY!!

Can we revisit exactly why it's "infeasible" to ride from your house to school?:rolleyes:

yep - also NOT commuting...

Buy a used beater. Squirt some WD-40 on it on occasion. For riding around on campus it should be enough.

Great news that you're commuting! :)

Like everyone says, regular lubrication and a plastic bag over the saddle on wet days are all most bikes need. After all, what good is a commuter that no-one can commute on because the weather is too precious? :)