Cycling in the rain

[Mrbez]

Hi guys,

Is there anything specific I should do when I get home from riding in the rain?

I've been reading that people wash their bikes down, as I live in an apartment, if I put mine in the bath and showered it down would this be a problem?

Will the bike rust, or is there something I should be doing to prevent this?

Sorry for what may seem stupid questions, this is my first "expensive" bike, and I want to look after it!

Thanks.

 

[martint235]

Personally I have a nice hot shower and chill a bit. The bike isn't going to turn to dust just cos you don't clean it everyday.

Yes it will need a clean at some point but you do that anyway don't you?

 

[potsy]

Personally I have a nice hot shower and chill a bit. The bike isn't going to turn to dust just cos you don't clean it everyday.

Yes it will need a clean at some point but you do that anyway don't you?

Was that bump the sound of Fossy and Ian hitting the floor?

Only thing I do different after a wet ride is give the chain a quick wipe/re-lube.

 

[accountantpete]

Most of the stuff is pretty rust-proof - so you really only need to attend to the chain as above and if you are particularly tidy a quick Q-Tip in the hex bolt heads as they can soon get rusty.

The only other thing is that I'd get a cheap cassette/chain for winter riding as the salt soon takes the shiny finish off.

 

[Fab Foodie]

A quick shower down in the bath will be fine!
Wipe the chain with wet-wipes or a rag with a drop (and only a drop) of WD40 or GT85 (which smells nicer) on the rag, don't spray it on the chain. Wipe the crud off the chain/sprockets, then lube, wait, wipe.
The only real problem time is when the gritters have been out as salt can quickly corrode, a bit of raiwater and road-grime won't kill it immediately!

 

[snorri]

if I put mine in the bath and showered it down would this be a problem?

It will result in deposits of oil and road debris from tyres and frame in your bath, it's not worth it, just dry the frame with a rag if you must and leave it to dry naturally. Apply lubrication in all the usual places at regular intervals, but it shouldn't be necessary to lub after every outing in the rain, unless the rain has been torrential.
I can understand special care being taken for the first week or two, but really it's a waste of time and energy.

 

[Bicycle]

I hang mine by the rear rim on a hook screwed into the rafters of my garage.

It drip dries.

I hang it there when it's dry too, but it doesn't drip dry when I do that.

Every year or so it gets a wipe with a cloth.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I don't do anything to the bike after riding in the rain, just park it up and let it dry, the next time I come to use it the chain will get oiled if it looks like it needs doing.

 

[jackthelad]

quick spray of gt85 on chain deraillers ,then a rub off, then left for a while then re-lubed with finishline cross country.I dont mind this process as I buy the re-cycled rags in a massive bag for about a tenner and buy the finishline lube from chain reaction in the 3.8 litre container,so the cost is a pittance. Share the containner and cost with a few mates as there is tons of the stuff

 

[Fnaar]

I let the rain wash my bike for me

 

[Keith Oates]

With rain very often there is also mud that sticks to the bike, if that's the case I wash that off with a cloth as it's easier to do when wet than to wait until it is dry. Also a wipe of the chain is worth doing and then add a little drop of oil as well.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pepecat]

Give it a bit of wipe with baby wipes to get the mud splatters off, and then leave to dry out. Then i check the chain and see if it needs a bit of lube.

 

[albion]

I tend to use WD40 when arriving home wet, normal oil at other times.

 

[thnurg]

I tend to use WD40 when arriving home wet, normal oil at other times.

WD40?

Nooooooooooo!

At least two bike shops I often visit say that WD40 is a no no. It's something to do with the chemicals that cause the chain to wear more quickly. They recommend GT85.

 

[addictfreak]

I was out last Sunday in the wet, also crossed the Holy Island causeway (salt water). Used the bike everyday since with no problem. Eventually gave it a full clean yesterday, and it still runs perfect. I wouldn't be too worried about a little water.

I have heard many people say not to use WD40!