VTRoadie

Hello All,

I have a year or two old K2 roadbike I bought from a local store on clearance (ie, it had been outside for probably one-two summers, under awnings, used as a test bike). It looked great for the most part, and I have put nearly 600 miles on it this summer. I absolutely love it as a first roadbike, and not having to worry about getting the wrong size, or not liking it.

That being said, the rear brake line, handlebar stem bolts, brake caliper bolt, and rear cassette (on the edge of the teeth) are starting to get a little surface rust on them. The chain seems to have a tinsy bit as well. I clean my ride religiously, though it does get some action in the rain. I love it, but I ride it.

How much of this is simply due to it living outside (the handlebar stem bolts were already rusted looking when I bought it) -- specifically the gear rust and such. Are there steps I should be taking to keep this from happening? I live in Vermont (salt belt!), but its summer! There shouldn't be a roadsalt issue.

(Saturation increased about 100% to show rust clearly) -- Click images for larger set on Flickr.


Thoughts?

CHenry

More grease. Humidity with condensation is all that it takes to start off rust.

operator

You need to stop leaving the bike outside.

VTRoadie

The bike only lived outdoors (and by that, I mean they often have an outside bikestand setup with their various bikes) for a short while when it was for sale at the bike shop. Since I purchased it at the beginning of the summer it has never seen an evening outside. It has been parked outdoors while shopping, or other activities, and I also ride it in the rain (and towel it off when I return), but it doesn't by any means sit outside in the rain.

Sixty Fiver

My '87 Kuwahara mtb is still looking fairly pristine and since I bought it I have used as my all weather commuter and utility bike and it will once gain be my primary winter ride.

I routinely take it to the car wash and give a light wash (it is usually kept very clean) and then wax it.

Sianelle 

An old fashioned wipe down with an oily rag keeps all my bikes young

Grand Bois

You could replace all of the nuts, bolts and cables with titanium and stainless steel. I know it sounds ridiculous, bit I've done it. I hate rust.

operator

+1 At least stainless

tellyho

Oil or grease. My bikes in the garage do the same rust bit. Humidity's a *****.

VTRoadie

I replaced the brake line with a newer one from the bike shop, now to order me some replacement bolts. $10 investment to make rust go away.

Michel Gagnon

Some surface rust is unavoidable. But grease, oil and WD-40 do wonders to prevent rust. Basically use grease on moving parts, oil on a rag for less accessible parts such as the shifting cable under the bottom bracket and chainstay, and WD-40 for exposed bolts and cables that you are likely to touch frequently.

Seadoo Guy

How "routinely" should I degrease and re-grease my winter commuter, every weekend? once a month?

EvilV

I agree. I am using a touch of wd40 for that at the moment applied with a cloth anywhere sensitive like brakes so none gets where it shouldn't. The vaguest smear of oil regularly applied will keep the bike smart. That rusty brake or gear cable along the top tube implies more than a little humidity. Maybe it was used on winter tests when there was salt on the roads - though how it would get up on the brake cable, I can't imagine. That bike has been left well wet more than once or twice before you got it, I'd say.



I clean and inspect my bikes after every hundred miles or there abouts, check tyre pressure and lube the chain. If I see anything that needs a touch of oil, or an adjustment, I give it one. It's well worth it. I don't want my bikes letting me down. I also check crank securing bolts and on the non supended bike I check out the frame welds. It doesn't take long and is very relaxing work if you can call it work at all.

lechat

rust never sleeps.

BikeManDan

If it bothers you replace the cables and bolts with stainless

MichaelW

Check inside the frame for rust, shine a light down the seat-tube.
If you see rust, put a squirt of wd40 through every hole in the frame.