RAIN!!! Will it knacker my bike?

[Fast_Mark]

your chain can rust up pretty quickley after rain but I just dry my bike off straight away, it dosent take long and I have a spray called anti rust that repels the water but unlike wd40 it lubricates it really well .i do that every time it rains and once a week regardless ( just simple maintenance )

If you use something like Finishline then you won't have any such issues. I've never dried a chain after riding and never had a chain rust on me.

to the OP, I know what you mean. Logic says that it shoudln't be a problem, and despite riding my Felt in all weather over winter (except snow) I was a bit upset when the skies opened today whilst it was parked up outside my office.

At the end of the day, it's not made of sugar. Just keep on top of keeping the grit off moving parts like the transmission, bottom bracket and headset, use some good lube and give it a proper clean every now and then and it'll be fine.

 

[Brahan]

Should I save the £ and buy a second bike or should I tighten up and get on with it?

Yes, I suggest you definitely need a second bike. Whatever the cost implications or storage practicalities, you should gift yourself another bike. Why spend all that cash on a good new one when you're only going to worry about it? Also, if you have a manky cheap steel thing then chances are you can leave it locked up while you're at the pub without worrying too much about it, whilst your precious 'best bike' rests by your bedside.


Deffo for the second bike option.

 

[Brahan]

Also, when you get back aboard your good bike after a week or two on the other one, you realise where the extra money went and it feels great.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1

Is your bike made of paper mache ? Of course the rain won't damage it, you just need to remember to dry it off, use good lube/ grease.

 

[MontyVeda]

Every time i visit my folks I park my bike in the yard and when it rains mum always says "will your bike be ok in the rain David?"

"I dunno Mum, will the car be OK?"

 

[JNR]

Not quite but the muddy water and things that splashed up my back will NOT come out of it now theres pics in my thread on here lol washed it 4 times lol, soaked it, vanish spray all over it the lot and no its not coming out lol, it dissolving would of been easier as it wouldnt be that inbetween of do i wear it anyway or do i bin it and buy more lol

Have you tried using swarfega on it? That's what I do, and a scoop of vanish in the wash too. The sooner you get at stains the easier they are to get out, obviously.

As for riding in the rain I've got one Pinarello and I ride it in all conditions, commuting, sportives, training rides and club runs. I've had to replace the chain, free wheel mechanism and bottom bracket in 4000 miles but so what? I get to ride abeautiful machine every single day of the week. I would only consider getting a second bike if it was a fixed gear with dedicated mud guards and maybe a pannier rack for commuting.

 

[fossyant]

Bikes are fine in the rain - just look after them. Just remember the daily ride will need more attention than the weekend bike.

I'm the obsessive type , clean the bike after wet rides, and re-oil the chain. Clean bikes are the fastest. I also ride fixed, which cuts down on messing, and also have mudguards.

My work bike is quite nice, bit bling, but I have to back it up with good locks when left.

I don't buy ride a crap bike as its the machine I ride the most.

 

[Davidc]

Seawater spray got one of mine.

It took well over 20 years to rot through the steel frame from the inside. It was a 1970s Peugeot and they needed a spray of rustproofer inside the frame, but no-one ever told me!

No exterior rust - my use of furniture polish probably helped. Never any rust on the chain, but it got lubricated and wiped clean regularly.

Just make sure the chain's lubricated and that the bike dries off after it gets wet and you should be OK.

 

[montanawills]

As for riding in the rain I've got one Pinarello and I ride it in all conditions, commuting, sportives, training rides and club runs. I've had to replace the chain, free wheel mechanism and bottom bracket in 4000 miles but so what? I get to ride abeautiful machine every single day of the week. I would only consider getting a second bike if it was a fixed gear with dedicated mud guards and maybe a pannier rack for commuting.

You've definitely got the right idea here JNR. I was thinkin at the start 'but that'd cost a lot to replace in 4-5 months or so' but sure I'd be replacing it on a cheaper bike anyway!

 

[MontyVeda]

Seawater spray got one of mine.

...

Seawater bad, rainwater fine