Brompton commute in the rain: maintenance tips?
 

Ah, my beautiful Brompton; how I've avoided taking you out in the rain. I know. I know I'm being over-protective, and that it's folly. But ... I just haven't had the heart. But tomorrow is different. I'm commuting by bike now and it's gonna rain tomorrow, and my beloved perfect never-been-wet Brompton is going to take one for the team and get me to work in the rain.

What can I do to limit the wear-and-tear a rainy bicycle ride will do to my fine piece of british engineering? :) Anything I can do ahead of time?

Haha, I use to wipe my bike after riding it in the rain right away. I had the titanium brompton so I didnt really worry about the fork or rear triangle getting rusted but I tried to keep the hinges dry. One thing, if you start riding it in the rain, it becomes harder to keep the inner fender clean. Also, you should use lubricant on your chain and hinges regularly. It makes a big difference in the long run!

Don't worry, ours are 7 years old, heavy used in rain, snow, sun, dust. They are made for that. Just use some lubricant on the chain and turning things.
But if you like (we didn't) wipe it dry every time you want. Want to clean it, use dishwashing detergent. You can use it for the whole bike, so chain and frame. That's the way I do about once a year (might be two).
Want to see how they look:http://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/3665883547/

Oh by the way. Biking in rain might give you some trouble with the brakes
I found the Koolstop good http://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/2693243101/
Still not satisfied? Then you might consider this http://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/3671516172/

Wd40

I would look into buying one of those rain capes. The brommie has such a small footprint (like all 16" folders) that a rain cape can pretty much cover the whole bike. Wearing a rain cape with a regular bike can keep YOU mostly dry, but the front and back area of the bike gets wet. Not so with the brompton.

Like that one in your avatar? Beware of those, they get caught in jet engines and stuff.

Jur!
That cape is only for heading to my fortress (of solitude) or making a beer run, ha-ha.

I was referring to something like this:
http://www.bicycleclothing.com/RainCape_1.jpg

Also, you should use lubricant on your chain and hinges regularly. It makes a big difference in the long run!

How often is regularly?

Want to clean it, use dishwashing detergent. You can use it for the whole bike, so chain and frame. That's the way I do about once a year (might be two).

Can you take a hose to it? Not a pressurized spray, but just running water to rinse off the detergent?

Like that one in your avatar? Beware of those, they get caught in jet engines and stuff.

Remember Thunderhead?

I get more than enough ridicule and grief from my racing friends for riding a SWB, THIS thing would get me beat up!!



What's the use of this cape if he doesn't have mudguards to start with??

Hahahaha.

Can you take a hose to it? Not a pressurized spray, but just running water to rinse off the detergent?

Don't use a pressurized spray, be gentle for the bike, just running water will be fine.

Take a look at his angry expression.....it's like, "Why the hell am I wearing this dorky thang" as a serious roadie group just passed him, laughin' their heads off!!

While rebuilding a part of the house, I have to park my Brompton in the outside during the winter.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/plooifiets/2242255109/
Not the best place and season too park but the bike still runs.
Now it's back inside...

I've found that the brake cables/housing are prone to rusting after riding in the rain since the opening points up instead of down like with most caliper brake setups. It's really easy for water to seep down in there. I've had to replace the cables and housing a couple of times.