For various reasons I've hardly used my bikes for many months, and my Townie for about 18 months. It's been parked in a heated garage all along.

Last weekend I decided to lube the chains on the bikes and noticed that the teeth on the front chainring were a little rusted up, and some of that rust was coming off onto the chain. It looks like surface rust to me, rather than anything that's penetrated the chainring.

The bike is practically new, so I've temporarily given the chain a good oiling just to protect it for now.

My plan is to thoroughly clean the drivetrain and chain and then lube everything up again, ready for the summer.

Does that sound like a good plan or is some rust on the chainring teeth something to worry about?

Good plan. Roger

If it is just where the chain rubs the sprocket teeth then it should be good with fresh oil on the chain. When you ride the surface rust will be worn off and then covered with the new oil.

The old Schwinn chainrings seemed to be chrome plated better than nowadays, however, with environmental restrictions, it may not actually be chrome anymore. Or as resistant or thick as it used to be.

Let us know how it looks after a ride or two.

Cheers, guys.