Hey guys,

Can anyone give me advice on how to clean my bike and gears after riding in heavy rain?

At the moment, I wipe off the water with a cloth, then spray some TF2, then put on some Muc-Off Wet Lube.

However my chain still went completely rusty over a period of a few weeks.


Anyone got any suggestions? Thanks


Weldtite TF2 Spray Lube plus Teflon - 400ml - Fawkes Cycles

MUC OFF WET LUBE

How old is the chain? I had one that would rust over pretty quickly with just the FL humidity. After trying many things including light chain oil (suggested by LBS which turned it into a frothy mess), it was just easier to buy a new chain. Of course, if your chain gets replaced your cassette may have to be replaced too.

Rust on the outside of the chain won't hurt anything but rust on the inside of the links can. You are doing it right just be diligent about lubing the chain and next time by a nickel plated one. It won't rust as easily.

I would say it sounds like you're not getting the chain completely dry. After a thorough cleaning you might want to use some compressed air and blow out any remaining moisture.

Depending on the climate, you may need to lubricate your chain more often than every few weeks.

Re cleaning after riding in the rain, the bigger problem than water is the dirt/sand that sticks to and collects in your drivetrain. I put my bikes on stand, remove the wheels and rinse them with a hose, then use a generic spray cleaner on the frame and drivetrain. I scrub everything down with a brush, wipe it dry then lube the chain, derailleurs, brakes and cables. I do the same with the wheels. If the rims have black stains from the brake pads, I clean them using rubbing alcohol and a rag.

You're already doing more than I am. Depending on how cold or tired I am, I may spray down the frame of my road bike or fixed gear using a small (1-galon) garden sprayer; I'll then wipe everything (including the drive train) with a cotton towel. My winter commuter usually gets much less love: whether or not it rains on my way into work, the bike just gets rolled into the bike locker - no wash off or wipe down. If it rains on my way home, I may wipe I down, but I'm just as likely to be cold and wet and hungry so it just drips onto the garage floor. I've resigned myself to replacing my chain more frequently than would otherwise be required due to these sins .

You're using the wrong lube if it rains frequently where you live. If you use an appropriate (wet) lube, you can simply wipe the chain dry with a paper towel after each rainy ride and let it dry inside. Re-lube every week or two. A spray-on Teflon lube is likely too light and will be rinsed away, so you'd have to relube after each ride, and it may not have anything to coat the chain (like an oil film) that would protect it from oxidation.