Caring for a road bike soaked from rain
03-08-15, 10:52 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Seattle
Posts: 3,248
Bikes: Kuota Ksano. Litespeed T5 gravel - brilliant!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
It is tragic how intentionally ignorant you are. I named the exact spot that I apply the product and the exact need. It fits that need perfectly.
Also what @gregf83 said. WD-40 is an excellent product.
Also what @gregf83 said. WD-40 is an excellent product.
03-08-15, 01:06 PM
#30
Stand and Deliver
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 3,340
Bikes: Cannondale R1000, Giant TCR Advanced, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If your chain is wet, why not dry it off with a shop rag? Using a chemical to remove water from a wet chain sounds like EXACTLY the sort of use that the makers of WD 40 would hope you would do. It is like using oil to push water out of a bath tub. It's just not necessary to discharge that many pollutants into the atmosphere. We're supposed to protect the earth, not use it for our own purposes. If you get my meaning, and I mean it in the sincerest non-argumentative way possible.
I don't know what your issue is with WD-40, but your preaching about saving the planet isn't what people want to hear. The conservative amount being used is miniscule.
03-08-15, 01:24 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,712
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5781 Post(s)
Liked 2,577 Times
in
1,428 Posts
As I said earlier, I consider weather proofing (resisting) in advance preferable to dealing with water later. My commuter bike is set up for all weather riding, partly through selection of components and greases and oils known to handle rain well. Dirt and grit can be a problem, so I either rinse (rinse, not wash) with fresh water from a hose, or leave the bike outside in the rain, on the theory that if God got it dirty, he can clean it again.
BTW- one major factor in how the bike handles rain is front wheel spray. Fenders, or a tire that sprays wider is important so you don't direct a jet of water at the bottom bracket or chainrings.
One trick for making a DIY all weather BB is to cut donuts from sheets of urathane foam, cover in grease, and trap between the crank arms and BB cup face.
BTW- one major factor in how the bike handles rain is front wheel spray. Fenders, or a tire that sprays wider is important so you don't direct a jet of water at the bottom bracket or chainrings.
One trick for making a DIY all weather BB is to cut donuts from sheets of urathane foam, cover in grease, and trap between the crank arms and BB cup face.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
03-08-15, 01:35 PM
#32
Full Member
Well, bikes are well sealed and made to be used outside. They perform better if they are clean so cleaning them is a good idea. A better idea is to cheaply invest in a beater bike that is used specifically for "weather " rides. After the initial investment it pays for itself easily in time and money. I am reasonably certain that the workout you can get from a beater bike is at least 99 percent as good as what you will get from your top bike. It's noisier and a little less comfortable but it gets the job done and the cleaning done to keep it going is much less arduous and requires way less attention. Been doing this for a long time now. It works quite well.
03-08-15, 02:00 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Seattle
Posts: 3,248
Bikes: Kuota Ksano. Litespeed T5 gravel - brilliant!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Riding in wet conditions will reduce the life of the chain and drivetrain since many people don't bother doing the maintenance that has been suggested. Even after you go the extra step and brush with soapy water, then followed by a rinse, you can't get inside the roller and pin on the chain to flush out the embedded grit and grime. If you wipe the chain perfectly clean, then spray it with a liberal amount of WD-40, GT-85, Boeshield T-9 or your favorite chain lube, you'll notice the dirt oozing out between the links. The additional cleaning is necessary to remove the grit or it will eat into the internal part. Rather than use a liberal amount of chain lube, there's nothing wrong with using something like WD-40, then following with the lube.
I don't know what your issue is with WD-40, but your preaching about saving the planet isn't what people want to hear. The conservative amount being used is miniscule.
I don't know what your issue is with WD-40, but your preaching about saving the planet isn't what people want to hear. The conservative amount being used is miniscule.
03-08-15, 02:13 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,373
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,953 Times
in
1,678 Posts
On behalf of the next owner(s) , grease the seatpost and stem (probably more important for quill stems than threadless stems). You'll be doing your part to conserve BF bandwidth in the future.
Last edited by Trakhak; 03-08-15 at 02:18 PM.
03-08-15, 02:34 PM
#37
☢
Sure the bike can withstand the rain, but its not just the rain, its all the road salts and corrosive chemical that get mixed with it. And lets not ignore the fact that the bike is painted.
After a heavy rain, wash the bike; and use lube as needed. Some foul weather brands can last through several rain storms or even a season. But I found WD 40 can come in handy as a quick fix, until you get around to the more long-lasting fix.
When are we ever sure the weather will turn foul? Maybe 50% of the time. But yeah, if its already turning nasty out, the beater is a better alternative.
After a heavy rain, wash the bike; and use lube as needed. Some foul weather brands can last through several rain storms or even a season. But I found WD 40 can come in handy as a quick fix, until you get around to the more long-lasting fix.
Well, bikes are well sealed and made to be used outside. They perform better if they are clean so cleaning them is a good idea. A better idea is to cheaply invest in a beater bike that is used specifically for "weather " rides. After the initial investment it pays for itself easily in time and money. I am reasonably certain that the workout you can get from a beater bike is at least 99 percent as good as what you will get from your top bike. It's noisier and a little less comfortable but it gets the job done and the cleaning done to keep it going is much less arduous and requires way less attention. Been doing this for a long time now. It works quite well.
Last edited by KraneXL; 03-08-15 at 02:38 PM.
