Did a rainy day ride on the P3c last weekend. Washed the bike thoroughly after a waxed the carbon to a shine. Rode the bike yesterday and was surprised how heavy and sluggish it became. Headed back home and when swinging the bike around felt/heard the “swoosh”. Removed the seatpost and flipped the bike over…out came about half a cup of water!
Whether the water came from the rainy ride or the washing, it should find a way out.There is a hole at the bottom but it is the chamber for the cable route, the carbon frame is sealed off at the bottom. Wonder if flipping the bikes over is necessary everytime the CSC team mechanics hose down the bikes?
Thinking of drilling a small drain hole at the base of the bottom bracket shell and fabricate a rubber hose plug, it rains alot over here. Otherwise, stick a hose in the top tube and it can be an internal drinking system like Nataschas Cheetah!
This is not unique to the P3C. I did an epic ride in the rain last winter while training for IMAZ on my Kestrel Talon SL road bike. It seemed a bit heavy when I got home & “sloshed” around. I took the seatpost out and turned it over & poured at least a quart of water out of the bike.
Did a rainy day ride on the P3c last weekend. Washed the bike thoroughly after a waxed the carbon to a shine. Rode the bike yesterday and was surprised how heavy and sluggish it became. Headed back home and when swinging the bike around felt/heard the “swoosh”. Removed the seatpost and flipped the bike over…out came about half a cup of water!
Wow. If you, the bike and all the gear weighed 140 lb., that half cup (4 oz). represents 0.2% of the total weight, but you were able to feel the bike get sluggish.
Not uncommon. After the torrential downpour during Wildflower LC a couple of years ago, I had to pull the BB and headset to get all the water out of my frame.
That is why you should not use water to clean a bike. Use a spray polish like Protect All (http://www.protectall.com/ )
I come from the motorcycle industry and we always tell our customer not to wash their motorcycles with water. Wheel bearing seals are not that good on keeping water out.
Just my .02
Rod
I come from the motorcycle industry and we always tell our customer not to wash their motorcycles with water. Wheel bearing seals are not that good on keeping water out.
Just my .02
Rod
What do you tell them to do if they’re caught out in the rain? If a low pressure water stream is so damaging, I can’t imagine the effect of water hitting the bike at over 30 mph. (I assume you tell them never to deliberately ride in the rain.)
