Input requested: Post rainy day ride maintenance

Triathlon Forum
1

In this awful season called spring, we seem to be getting more than our share of cold, wet weather. Result: lots of muck, debris, grease, and who knows what else on the road, and eventually on the bike/in the cogset/in the chain/etc.

Do most people ride in the rain at this time of year? Summer rain is one thing, since there is less muck available to jam up your drivetrain/brakes/cables; spring rain sucks. If so, what is the best way to maintain your precious road bike afterwards? Other than the simple IceWax on the chain, and wipe down, are there any tips that would make me feel more comfortable riding in this weather (i.e. make me feel like I’m not ruining my bike while doing it)?

ccy

(if you are from SoCal, please ignore this, and refrain from snarky comments about the weather - yeah, I’ll take 100F heat over 35C and rain any day)

2

I ride a steel bike, and after a ride in the rain, I will hose down the whole bike, using the “Shower/Spray” nozzle. I am careful not to spray directly into the hubs, headset, or BB, but do spray the cassette and chainrings as much as I can to get off the nasty stuff. I then scrub the wheels and tires to get off all the junk, and wipe down the frame. Finally, rinse and wipe dry.

Once that is done, I will clean the chain with my Park Chain Cleaner( 2 cycles: degreaser, water, repeat.) Then use some more degreaser to clean off the cassette and chainrings. Dry chain off, then lube with (my favorite) teflon chain lube. Spray some on the cassette, idlers, and all moving drivetrain parts. Then I wipe all the cables clean, and put a little grease on them and spray some lube into the cable housings. Sometimes I’ll spray a little lube into the frame drain holes as insurance against rust.

The last thing I do is use Q-tips to clean out and then grease all exposed Allen head bolts(stem, aerobars, bottle cage mounts, seat post, etc) so that they won’t corrode/rust.

This somewhat anal process takes me around 45 minutes to an hour, but it keeps the bike running well, looking good, and ready to go for next time. Also, it’s bonding between me and the bike, and gives me a chance to find anything wrong with tires, cables, etc.

I’m no expert, but that’s what I do, and it works for me.

3

ccy,

Rinse your bike off with a light spray from a garden hose when you get home before the crud gets a chance to dry. It will come off real easy before it gets a chance to dry. Try not to squirt water on seals and or bearings, weep holes from welding if any, your seat post and any other openings that might permit water to enter your frame. Then gently wipe it down.

Lubrication becomes the next issue. Especially the pivot points in your drivetrain. Your derailleurs particularly. They are often overlooked and just the chain lubrication is considered.

4

It’s been a wet spring here in Ontario and now I am a fair weather rider( Hey a trained hard for 20 years - 10 of those in the rain capitol of Canada, Vancouver so I have had my fair share of cold, wet misrable rides), but I have been caught in the rain a few times this spring. Just as others have said, and I did for many years and still do:

  1. Hose the bike down with fresh water ASAP after finishing the ride.

  2. Spray all moving parts with WD-40 or other similar spray lube. Use a dry towel to clean off any excess on chain. Then apply your regular chain Lube.

  3. Towel the entire bike off and get it into a dry, warm space to dry off completely. Make sure to place a towel or newspaper under the bike as water and stuff will continue to drip off the bike or drain out of frame drain holes for some time after.

Then make yourself a nice hot cappiccino and relax!