Originally Posted by
soyabean
Fyi, I buy mint condition version of these bikes for $50.
And this is one thing I miss about living in the U.S. A quick google search shows about $150USD if I want to go to the US to get it. in Canada its $300+.
Originally Posted by
Andrew R Stewart
Is a car parked in the garage daily? How much road salt is used in your area over the winter. Are there pool water chemicals stored there? I've seen similar bikes more than I like and the common situation has a dusting of dried salt coating the bike from the last use and a storage area with humidity and/or temp swings allows for moisture to condense out or be drawn from the air. Sad this happened so quickly. Andy
Added- I seriously doubt there's much is any SS on this level of bike. Like the vast majority of bike produced that are intended for the masses and not the enthusiasts. Andy
No car kept in the garage and certainly no pool chemicals, looks a lot like chlorine corrosion though doesn't it? Her bike is pristine and her son's department store bike appears equally untouched. This one was attacked in particular.
I think the rest of the bike will clean up fine. Chain is a cheap replacement. Cassette will probably clean up fine after a dip in the ultrasonic. Good idea with the rust gel. I think I'll get a pack or two of #400 wet/dry, cut it into strips, and let her loose on it to give her time to contemplate what she's done... while I supervise with martinis in the hot tub. Just a preliminary idea.