Easy Peasy

Besides cleaning/lubing the chain frequently, what other maintenance should I be doing for my bad weather commuter? Thank you.

UberGeek

Cleaning the frame, the chain rings, and the sprockets. Some sort of protection on the steel fasteners (They will rust very fast).

Malachi292

In addition to UberGeek's suggestions, if you have rim brakes, clean the rims after a ride in the rain. Dirt and grit build up on them and will prematurely wear out your rims (and your brake pads for that matter).

uber_Fred

Keep an eye on the pulleys in your derailleur. They can get gunked up pretty quickly, and need to be cleaned out.

LeeG

+1

last week I cleaned and lubed the chain after a downpour ride. Immediately I heard a squeak under shifting that I assumed was unlubed links until I checked the pulleys. Top one was absolutely dry and rust stained inside. Decades ago that was something I used to do a couple times a year, completely forgot this time. Made all the difference once the top pulley could slide easily.

HardyWeinberg

generous fenders w/ big mudflaps are an important prophylactic

pdlamb

A "wet" chain lube (formerly known as "oil") stays on longer and prevents rust better than a dry one in wet weather.

(Let the howling begin!)

If you'll wipe down the bike as soon as possible after as many wet rides as possible -- chain, wheels including rims, cables, etc., that'll keep crud from building up. Crud prevention is important because bad things happen when it gets too thick, chief among them the owner's desire to totally ignore bike maintenance until something breaks and you HAVE to pay attention to the bike!

orionz06

I use a good lube and wipe the chain down after each ride. A wet lube is only a problem if you make it one.

2manybikes

Most of the crud on the drivetrain comes from the lower part of the front wheel. Get full fenders, but, if you don't get a good mud flap that just about touches the ground, the crud will get on the chain anyway. I make my mud flaps out of something flexible so that it will go over something, as they are so low.
Even on dry dusty routes, I find that the fenders with flap keep the chain clean longer.

jeepr

I use a polymer called Gibbs on everything. Even shines up the paint quite nicely.

https://threepeaksproducts.com/gibbsbrand/

alan s 

Rinse with warm water. If you have access to a hot water heater, connect a hose directly and you'll have warm water by the time it reaches the end of the hose. Wipe dry. Clean/lube chain more frequently than during other seasons.

Easy Peasy

Great advice everyone.

Steel fasteners. I guess that means screws and nuts. What can you put on 'em? Or do you replace them with corrosion resistant ones?

How do you clean the sprockets, chain rings and derailleur pulleys? Do you use any specific cleaner or just a wet rag? Do you lube anything besides the chain?

orionz06

Chlorine free brake cleaner.

I will lube all pivot points.

Andy_K 

This all sounds like a lot of work. The way I look at it, the road grime serves as a protective layer on the frame. I don't clean the chain until it starts to squeal, and only then because I can't oil it without cleaning. I do use a wet lube and clean the whole drive train, including derailleurs when the chain needs lubing. Some of my bolts have a small amount surface rust.

Otherwise, as long as things are working, I just ride it.

wolfchild

I think a lot of people are going overboard with all this washing, cleaning, degreasing. The most important thing is to keep your drivetrain lubed. Brake cables may also need to be lubed in winter time.

badrad

i also check my batteries weekly and replace/recharge as needed. in colder weather, battery life can shorten dramatically. also, good time to check that there is no moisture penetration or corrosion in the lights and gear. dry, clean and reseal as needed.

HardyWeinberg

When I clean the drivetrain, which might only be a couple times a year, I take it off and take it all apart and then just scrub the bejeezus out of it with paper towels, no solvent or water or anything.

The chain I lube when it needs it (if I can hear it basically) and then after a quick ride wipe it down pretty meticulously again just w/ dry paper towels. I can only hear it when the rain lets up and it dries out; if it's a la niña week with at least an inch of rain a day if not up to 4", then I just let the rainwater lubricate it.

2manybikes

That sounds pretty good, from reading those web pages. Do you use it on the chain?

cyclokitty 

When I get home I dry the bike off with a towel (it's actually the bike's towel. She's possessive that way), then lube the chain. Once in awhile I shake the fenders and rack to see if I need to snug up the bolts.

scoatw

+2.

I grease the cables that are inside the housing. That was like, three or four years ago. Haven't messed with them since. I like to keep the frame grungy looking to hopefully avoid theft. All I do is clean the drivetrain and use a scratch pad on the braking surface of the rims whenever I feel they need it. And that ain't much. But more often in winter.

Easy Peasy

Could someone point out these pivot points? and what kind of lube do you use on them? Thanks.

Ira B

If you repack any bearings really stuff them with grease. It tends to keep the water out.
If you replace a cable coat it with a film of grease and after it is installed wipe most, but not all of it off of the exposed parts. Also remove,clean and grease the threads on any cable adjustment barrels. These tend to freeze/corrode in place if not lubed.

yep202

I put some chain lube on last night after I cleaned the chain and rode in the rain. Was using teflon lube. But I'm now using wet lube for extremely bad conditions. After the rain today ill be wiping my bike's chain and looking for anything I can clean. That's about it in winter after a ride ill clean and brash my chain. Also I've learned if you hang your bike up you can control which way the crappy goes off your bike. Last year that what I did and noticed differences such as a cleaner chain and a way for the lube to just run over the chain and nothing else. (Depending on what kind of lube you use)

MichaelW

I winterize a bike by:
Stuffing the bearings full of grease.
Cleaning and waxing the frame to help dirt fall off.
Use grease or copper anti-seize on all metal-metal contacts/threads.
Use wax on all exposed bolt heads and cables.

Keep grease and wax away from braking surfaces.
Check that components have enough life for the winter (chain, cogs, cables, brake blocks).
For those without a warm, light garage, it really pays to minimize the amount of maintenance you need to do on cold, wet, dark nights.