Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Essential Post Commute Bike Care?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Essential Post Commute Bike Care?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-23-10 | 11:36 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Essential Post Commute Bike Care?

Been commuting to work for the past month. Today was the first day of torrential rain.

I've dried the frame off with a towel. Is there anything else I should be doing after riding in these conditions?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
oneilio is offline  
Reply
Old 08-23-10 | 11:48 AM
  #2  
GATC
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,854
Likes: 205
From: south Puget Sound
I don't do anything
HardyWeinberg is offline  
Reply
Old 08-23-10 | 11:49 AM
  #3  
EKW in DC's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA

Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion

I park inside and that's about all I do directly after my commute on rainy days... wipe down with a rag to dry it off a little. And even that I don't do every time. In fact, I used to do it more often than not. Now it's probably the other way around.

Other than that, I'd say keep an eye on the chain and the drivetrain. Rainy conditions and wet roads tend to make them dirty and need cleaning/lubing more often.

If you don't have fenders and your bike can take them, I'd strongly suggest you look into getting a good set.
EKW in DC is offline  
Reply
Old 08-23-10 | 11:50 AM
  #4  
tjspiel's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,101
Likes: 17
From: Minneapolis
It depends how often you ride in the rain but personally I'd rather not worry about having to do a lot of maintenance because the bike got wet. Put fenders on the bike to help keep grit out of places you don't want it. If you're worried about corrosion you can replace a lot of screws and cables on your bike with stainless steel versions.

Some people keep a separate bike for foul weather.
tjspiel is offline  
Reply
Old 08-23-10 | 03:10 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,431
Likes: 44
From: Minneapolis, MN
I wouldn't bother drying the frame off with a towel unless you needed to do it to bring the bike inside or something.

There's 2 things I've found I have to do after riding in the rain sometimes -
1. Add a little oil to the chain. Otherwise (though not always) it gets squeaky when riding.
2. Wipe down the rims on the wheels. With rim brakes, sometimes crud accumulates on the rims, then when you brake it gets noisy (and theoretically grinds any grit into the rim).

I'm not saying you really *need* to do these things, but if you have either of these problems (squeaky chain when riding, noisy brakes when stopping) these are the solutions. I don't even do them every time, just sometimes, and when I notice a problem.

Fenders might also reduce your need to do either item, though fenders aren't perfect either.
PaulRivers is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bikeforumuser0019
Living Car Free
27
07-13-15 07:57 AM
DBrown9383
Fifty Plus (50+)
55
06-05-15 06:12 AM
lungimsam
Commuting
80
05-13-12 10:08 PM
Sundance89
Commuting
15
09-09-10 04:23 PM
rkerider
Commuting
28
07-20-10 04:32 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.