I live in South Florida, about 15 miles from the beach and 5 miles from the Everglades. I have two steel Jamis bikes, a Jamis Boss Cruiser (comfort bike, about 15 years old) and a Jamis Quest (road bike, about 6 years old) and I have not had a problem with rust for either bike. They are both kept in my garage. I have done nothing extra to protect the frames.