I don't plan to ride much in the rain but unfortunately I think it is inevitable that one day I will be caught in an unpredicted rain storm. I asked an avid commuter on Youtube about what to wear in the rain but then it also occurred to me that rain might cause damage to my bike as well.

So my question is this, is there any maintenance that I should perform on my bike after a rain storm that would prevent rust or other damage? Like oil the chain or dry off the water? Or am I wrong. Maybe bikes are made for rain and nothing is needed?

I have one aluminum bike and one steel framed bike. The aluminum bike has disk brakes. Both have derailleurs.

I dry off my bike with a towel after the rain. I also dry and relube the chain.

Other than that, I wax my bike every now and then, and touch up any spots where the paint gets scraped down to steel.

Tell me about this wax? Is this car wax or a special type of bike wax?

I usually use car wax... and am partial to Mother Mequiars. I also use a carnuba wax-based spray on furniture polish sometimes. It really just depends on what I have in the shop at the time. I'm really just looking to add a hydrophobic (water repellent) layer over the parts and pieces on my bike.

Realistically, my bikes only get waxed 2-3X a year. To put this in perspective, if I only ride to work and back, I put in about 150 miles a week. Most commonly, I am putting in 200+ miles a week year-round.

Geez, I barely even ever wash my bikes.

I ride year round in all weather. Winter and salty roads are a different story but I don't worry about rain hurting my bikes. Fenders are a good idea to help keep grit out of the drivetrain. If you lube your chain periodically and actually ride your bike (so that the lubricant also ends up on the cogs on your cassette) that is usually enough to repel the water that could lead to rust.

The items most susceptible to rust are those made of steel and are not painted (or lubed). Things like bolts and screws. If you're worried about them, you can put a thin coating of oil on them or even get some stainless steel replacements from the hardware store.

Cables are typically stainless steel these days.

What I ride most of the year is an almost 30 year old fixed gear conversion. It's steel and the frame has some nicks and scratches. The logos are wearing off in places but when cleaned up it still looks pretty good. Off hand I can't think think of any rust on it.

The winter bike is only a few years old. The frame is aluminum and the fork is carbon so no rust worries there. The pedal spindles are rusting and so were the bolts the hold the front disc rotor in place. Even though it was stainless steel, the front brake cable was covered with corrosion. The dust cap on the IGH has some rust and so does the front quick release. Last year's chain was shot. Otherwise it isn't too bad. This rust was from salt, - not rain.

My experience has been basically the same. When I come in from a rainstorm, I roll the bike into the garage and let it drip dry.

Chrome plated steel will rust over a period of months to years depending on the quality of the plating, but there's relatively little of it on newer bikes.

The time to oil the chain, and protect other components, is before it rains. I don't mean that to be snarky, but in fact things like cables and chains should be lubed as part of the assembly or overhaul process, and the chain should be kept lubed. In the process of winterizing one bike, I applied a coating of motor oil to some of the exposed metal parts with a toothbrush.

Road salt is a whole 'nother ball o' wax, of course.

[MENTION=90453]tjspiel[/MENTION], stainless can rust under some conditions. High heat and mechanical stress come to mind, but road salt might do it too. And there are different grades of stainless for different applications.

That's a good point. Preparation for rain before hand is better than after. What about the use of WD 40 on the drive train after it gets wet?

My only concern with that is that some of the solvents in WD-40 would dilute the lubricant that you want to stay on your chain. WD 40 is not a long lasting lubricant.

The topic of chain lubrication often leads to holy wars about what to use, how often to use it and how much good it really does. So I don't really want to walk too far down that path. My personal opinion is that riding your bike in wet conditions calls for more frequent chain lubricant reapplication but I don't think you need to do it every time your bike gets wet. How often then? You could ask 10 different people in this forum and get 10 different answers.

The main thing I want to stress is that riding your bike in the rain now and then won't hurt it and doesn't require much if anything in the way of additional maintenance. People don't typically worry about their cars every time they drive in the rain and you don't need to worry about your bike.

Having said that, the components on your bike are going to experience some wear and tear. You will probably get some nicks and scratches on the frame from use. Age and exposure to elements like the sun will take their toll over time. But bikes are meant to be used and even if used, they can last a very very long time.

If you want your bike to remain pristine, hang it up in the garage. Otherwise, don't sweat it.

I never clean my bike after rain, it is a workhorse, not a racehorse.
Waxing the frame helps shed dirt. Don't wax the braking surfaces !!!!
Grease all metal-metal surfaces and threads to prevent binding.
I re-lube the chain when dry.
Fit fenders.

Ok. So from what everyone said basically keep the drive train oiled and your good to go. You can go the extra mile with a little wax but over all I should be fine. I have heard of some sort of frame rust stuff but you have to take the whole bike (steel frame bike) apart to apply it but I get the feeling it that all of you must not use it much.

I live in the typically damp Vancouver area and ride a steel bike. I just lube my chain every few rides, or as needed in the wet. I keep it outside. I infrequently (once every two months) wipe it down thoroughly and occasionally just a quick wipe. But that is mostly to get grime off reflective tape.

It depends on what your relationship with your cycle is. Mine knows it is greatly loved and appreciated, but it knows it is meant to get wet and cold. It has not indicated it is disappointed in me yet. I change the brakes at least twice a year and cable once; or as needed. It gets to come inside and sit on a towel if we go away for a few days; I still chain it up so it doesn't wander.

I do regularly check the tires and brakes. I also use fenders. I service parts as needed.