straightedge

I was wondering what problems wet weather riding causes for bikes, mechanically speaking? I have a new (few months old now) road bike that I absolutely love. I also commute with it as much as possible, mostly in dry weather. I would like to commute more on rainy days, but would hate to have this bike, or either of mine for that matter start getting messed up. I don't want to get a bike just for wet weather riding. Is it really that big of a deal? What steps should I take to keep my bikes riding as smooth as possible without having to always skip rainy days?

Thanks.

ollo_ollo

The biggest problem in my area is the dirt & grime that gets all over everything. It's hard to keep the bike clean and all that grit makes your chain, brakes & rims wear out much faster. A thorough cleaning of the bike & drivetrain is needed weekly and you need to lubricate every time you clean the drive train. If you can't find time to clean as often as needed, at least lube the chain regularly. I ended up with several thrift store bikes that became dedicated Winter/rain bikes. Good to have a spare when something breaks or wears out.

2_i 

Generous application of Boeshield in all areas that can rust and you don't lube otherwise practically takes care of the problems. Otherwise, when servicing the bike you may gradually move to stainless steel fasteners.

I-Like-To-Bike

Servicing the bike? Whatz dat? You mean put air in the tires every now and then, and spray the chain with some lubricant every month or so? Change the chain every other year or so? I do that. Anything else, fuggedaboutit.

seeker333

I agree, grit gets all over rims and brakes, drivetrain, even with good fenders. I clean my bike thoroughly after heavy exposure.

Once, when i rode through a huge rain, water got into the rear hub on the drive side (shimano xt, basically no seal on this one point, all others have very effective rubber dust cap). I didnt ride again for a couple days, then the next ride the rear hub sounded crunchy/noisy. Took her apart, balls and cone were pitted/rusted. Cleaned her up and repacked. That hub never spun good after that single exposure, i retired it shortly after and built a new wheel (it had +15K miles already anyway).

I have lost 2 xt rear hubs to corrosion in this manner (other was combination rain/water crossing).

So rain can be costly in gear, also very dangerous - visibility, wet pavement reflects less light.

Banzai

You probably have a sealed bottom bracket, so that should be all right for you. If your bike is aluminum, or (yech) carbon, corrosion of the frame isn't a huge concern.

It's the moving bits and parts, which also are often steel, that take it the worst. Fenders help immensely with this issue...they won't completely protect your bike, but they will greatly reduce the amount of cruddy road water and muck kicked up into your drivetrain and your headset. And it's the water coming up from the road that is more damaging than the water falling down from the sky.

If you feel underneath your front fork, at the "vertex", if you will, you may notice a hole there. That hole continues through into all the moving metal parts of your heaset...and that hole is a great road muck collector from a front tire that isn't isolated beneath a good fender.

However, your bike will not melt in the rain.

2_i 

Seems like your Earth is different than my Earth. The bike gets ridden nearly every day irrespectively of weather, showers, snow storms, salt etc. It stays most of each day outside. It is practically never washed in winter. Rear wheel bearings get serviced once every 1-2 years and front never - dynamo hub. Sensible protections are applied: fenders, flaps, grease, Boeshield including interior of the frame. The bike rides like a dream. In dry weather it advances indeed like a ghost - nearly no sound.

Jarery

Your bike requires about the same 'extra' maintenance your car does when it gets wet.

oilfreeandhappy

I've been riding the same commuter bicycle for over 15 years. It's showing a lot of rust, due to the year-round riding. But it's an old beater, and that's fine. I'm thinking of getting a new bike, and just using it for the nice days. If raining, I usually dry it off when I get home, and make time to relube the chain and components the next morning.

yes

Use fenders.
For lots of water, wipe chain dry and relube when you get home.
WD40 is not lube. It may help unstick a rusty chain, but to prevent rust, make sure that the chain is oiled. Your choice of chain lube may affect the propensity to rust after lots of water/rain.

DC Wheels

I rode in the rain today and wouldn't trade the pleasure for a dry bike. Now I ride a $400 hybrid and other than servicing a few times a year I don't think about it.
Now I know a hard core roadie who never rides in the rain. He notes that there are exposed steel cables that pick up dirt and that when you shift or brake the cable movement brings the dirt into the cable lines. To him this is unacceptable and he would feel compelled to change the cable housing for the smoothest possible ride for his multi-k dollar road bike. He and I are different as different can be when it comes to riding, but I think if you can have a "beater bike" for bad days then why not? My only bike is a beater and I love it. Riding in the rain makes me feel like a kid and I cannot help smiling.

max-a-mill

if you can't ride your bike in the rain, it is probably too nice...

ItsJustMe

I get a hell of a lot of sand and grit on my bike. I'd warn a bit about cleaning the chain; last winter I was taking the chain off and washing it every couple of weeks, and it wore out SUPER fast; in 6 weeks it stretched so much that I wound up having to replace my freewheel.
My LBS owner/wrench said that he recommends NOT washing the chain; just wipe it with paper towels, lube, repeat as necessary. Washing in a solvent/degreaser can just push the grit into the chain.
Since then I've been just lubing and wiping, and it seems OK. I only have about 1000 miles on this chain so it's too early to tell, but the Parks gauge doesn't show any significant wear, and it's still been getting plenty of crap on it.

MichaelW

Treat the outside of your your frame with car wax to shed dirt and water. You an also use this on any exposed cable and bolt heads.
Many new hubs have insufficient grease in the bearings. If there is empty space them water may find its way in. Keep wheels and headset packed full of grease.
If lube gets washed off the chain add more.

A foul weather training/commuter bike should be fitted with fenders to keep road muck off the bike and rider.

Roody

You might have more fun if you get a worser bike.

Bikes are outdoor tools/toys. The weather won't harm a bike that is ridden regularly and lubed properly. It might not be quite as shiny, but it'll still ride nice.

ken cummings

I got a bike meant for long distance loaded touring. Rain, Shine, grit and wet. I only hose off the mud when it annoys me. The bike was built for serious use. Two squeeks in two years; a loose spoke and a loose leather saddle.

ajay677

Water, grit in the pedal bearings. Fortunately, mine are serviceable so I can just repack them with grease. If they weren't I'd either have to put up with the loud squeaking or replace the pedal.

timmhaan

i really don't do anything. some water can seep into the frame, however, so you might want to take out the seat post and turn upside down to see if anything comes out. i usually get a few drips on days when it's a downpour.

i tend to go ahead and clean and relube my chainline after a rain ride as well. and if i have time i'll go ahead and just clean the whole bike.

the biggest mess will be your clothing. at least around here with all the oil on the road.