Rust ???? Already ??

[JohnRedcoRn]

2 month old bike, regular use, at worst on met muddy roads occasionally - one wash with soapy water so far + a spray down with a hand held water sprayer about once per week or straight after ride if particularly manky.

i noticed on several of my chain links, AND in the tops of some allen bolts where water can lie, an orangey residue very much like rust in appearance. it didnt seem to be there when i got in last night after riding in rain, and once it came off on my finger and felt waxy ?

surely this cant be rust on so new a bike ?? i'm quite concerned about this, any ideas ? is it just the lube that was on the bike when i bought it going a funny colour in the wet ?

 

[Milo]

rust spots on a chain is nothing to worry about tends to happen on cheap chains.

 

[fossyant]

Bolts will rust unless of good quality (e.g. stainless)- drop some oil on them. Chains will rust as well if you don't lube after a wet ride.

Nothing to be concerned about, appart from looking horrible. Just get lubing !

 

[dodgy]

The recess in allen bolts is a well known corrosion risk. On a new bike I dip an allen key in grease and dab it in each of the allen bolts on my bike and wipe off the excess. If you find that a bit OCD, squirt a bit of GT85 or WD40 in before a ride, no point doing it after a ride, the damage is possibly already done depending on the length of your rides.

Dave.

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Wot the others have said really, I use a cotton bud and smear the thinnest film of vaseline into the recess of allen bolts, you'll also need to lube your chain regularly,get a good quality lubricant such as one of the finish line products (other lubricants are also available!)

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

cheers - didnt think i'd need to wipe + lube the chain just yet but i'll take the advice of someone here who said too much is better than too little.

 

[dodgy]

I clean my chain after every ride, no matter how knackered I am. It takes less than 2 minutes to bring the chain back to silver (assuming that's the colour of your chain - but it's the best for being able to idenfity if the chain is indeed clean). I use a rag, simply wipe it along the length of the chain a few times and relube.
No need for brushes, solvents, chain cleaning gadgets - just a rag.
Dave.

 

[gavintc]

I clean my chain weekly. You need to give it regular lube and cleaning to keep it working properly. After 2 months it must be horrid and I am not surprised it has rusted.

I also give the braking surfaces a good weekly clean.

Cleaning the rest of the bike will be dependant on time available. Often, it is a weekend job; after the club ride do both bikes - the commuter and the good one.

 

[Mortiroloboy]

I clean my chain after every ride, no matter how knackered I am. It takes less than 2 minutes to bring the chain back to silver (assuming that's the colour of your chain - but it's the best for being able to idenfity if the chain is indeed clean). I use a rag, simply wipe it along the length of the chain a few times and relube.
No need for brushes, solvents, chain cleaning gadgets - just a rag.
Dave.

and some oil, but yes, you're quite right, no need for those rather bizarre chaincleaning thingies. Gimmicky tosh.

 

[dodgy]

Oops, forgot oil, but I did say to relube it

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

so, 1) soapy water to clean (and brush inside all the gear cogs)
2) rinse with clean water
3) wipe chain with a rag
4) lube chain

i shall buy some lube on my way home tonight. (said the vicar)

 

[wafflycat]

Oh yes, regular cleaning & relubing is essential.

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

thanks, i'm one of them people who worry too much - scared of doing it wrong and making it worse !

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

i just read the clean/lube instructions on cycletutor. not clear ; do you put a drop of lube in every single link of the chain before running it through the sprockets ?

 

[summerdays]

i just read the clean/lube instructions on cycletutor. not clear ; do you put a drop of lube in every single link of the chain before running it through the sprockets ?

I do ... I just hold the tip of the lube against the chain and run the chain slowly past.

Also I started off with an brush to do the cogs but now use a torn up rag - which I find much easier to use to clean the cogs (saw them doing it in my LBS), using 2 hands to hold either end of the rag, and rubbing it between the cogs.