bergjm

I commute to work once in a while and I would like to ride more days. I don't mind riding in the rain, but I can not bring my bike inside, so it sits outside all day locked to a bike rack. I was going to cover it, but if it is already raining, the bike would take even longer to dry.

For those who commute and cannot bring their bikes inside, do you cover your bike? What extra maintenance do you do to your bike (overhaul more often, etc.)?

Thanks.

2_i 

The majority of bolts have been replaced by stainless steel. I used to pour Boeshield into the frame, apply it to the chain and any place where there might be a sign of rust. Now, I apply the magic mixture, out of Boeshield, LPS 3 and ACF-50, see the thread below, even over dirt or salt, and the maintenance has practically stopped. I hardly need to do anything anymore. No rust, nothing to do...

the magic mixture

cooker

I ride a steel bike from the 80s and leave it outside often in rain. The only rust I ever notice is on the chain, so as long as I oil that regularily I seem to be okay. One of my bikes has a leather seat, and I keep a plastic bag stuffed in the seat rails and tie it over the seat if I expect rain.

Tundra_Man 

I do the same thing, but not because of leather. My commuter has a seat with a cloth insert that allows it to double as a sponge in the rain. Rain coming down on top of me is no problem when I ride, but for some reason having a soggy butt just makes things miserable.

ItsJustMe

Tie a plastic bag around the seat. Done. The bike isn't going to melt.

Try riding in the winter in Michigan sometime. One winter in the road salt is probably about equivalent to 10 years leaving the bike in every rain shower there is.

swwhite

I cover the seat with a shower cap ($2, Bed Bath and Beyond).

benda18

there's no difference between riding in the rain and leaving your bike sit in the rain. if you can do 1 you can do the other.

bergjm

Thanks for the info. I wasn't worried about the seat since I use a Brooks, so if there is even a threat of rain the plastic shopping bag comes out to cover it. I was more worried about the drivetrain and the frame since it is steel, but it sounds like others are doing it with normal rain riding maintenance (clean and lube chain).

2_i: Are you able to get the LPS3 off of the bike when you clean the bike? Sounds like it is there to stay? I will follow your thread to see what mixture you finally end up with.

Thanks.

mustang1

The first picture shows my Allez in the winter. I've commuted on it, left it out in the rain and commuted the next day. Also left it out in the snow and when safe to do so, continued commuting. The rd kept getting stuck for a few days but that fixed itself up (I guess the temperature was cold in the morning which stopped the mechanism working correctly until some movement was applied to it).

I also keep my bike in the bike locker, which is damp and invites rust on the chain, and there's no air circulation either. I wont say these condtions are great for the bike, but I've had no problems.

bmt074

Makes me feel lucky that I can keep my bike inside at home and at work.

2_i 

I do not think that it would be easy to get LPS 3 off, once it solidifies. This is likely responsible for the significant success when applying it. In any case, I do not attempt to take it off when washing the bike.

I rode with Brooks for ~5 months, under a cover, but humidity was getting through to it anyway during some month with frequent and persistent rain. I finally gave up. I ride with a vinyl seat that has a good dose of shoe rain repellent applied. Vinyl itself rubs off, so the repellent is essential. Once the repellent sinks in into the seat, you might need to apply it again after 2 years or so.