A few bolts on my bike which is 3 months old are starting to show rust. In particular, the bolts that connect the stem to the cow horns are rusting more then the others.
Last week-en I drove with the bike on a car rack for 1,000 miles in rain, dried and cleaned the bikes when the trip was done, but rust developed any way. Should I try to replace the bolts? or try to remove the rust? Is there any coating that would prevent this?
Thanks for any insight.
I live on an island that is nine miles by five, so it is really hard to escape the effects of the salt air. Anyhow, I just put up with the effect you describe. It can, however, be slowed down by spraying a bit of any one of a number of moisture sapping products on the bolts after you’ve cleaned them. You’ll find that the rust (hopefully) is just on the exposed areas and if the threads of the screw are nicely greased, they’ll hold fast.
I’d remove the bolts in question every two weeks or so and grease them to prevent re-rusting. A few extra minutes of preventitive maintenance goes a long way. same thing with any bolts that normally get wet from sweat.
I have heard, but not yet tried, that a couple coats of clear nail polish will stop rust.
i used to have the same problem…i read about this solution about 5 years ago, and have had no problems since.
just put some bike grease in the heads of the bolts with a q-tip. usually only need to do it a couple times per year, but definitely after a thourough wash, or ride in the rain. also always grease the threads. i don’t know about getting rid of the rust that is already there, but this is a proven preventive solution.
Hi GBJ/Chris when i saw that you lived on a 5x9 mile island i knew it had to be Jersey,do you know Lynn Minchinton?
You can remove rust from bolts (or anything) using some naval jelly. You can find this in any hardware store. It’s a pink gelatinous concoction. You just soak the bolts in there for a little while and the rust is dissolved off of them. Just be careful with it, it’s very corrosive.
I use to get rust inb the same spot, just from the sweat. Last trip to the mechanic and he places rubber inserts/protectors over the bolts and no more problems.
I’ve done a couple of trips like you describe. Each time water also got into the bottom bracket…maybe a 1-2 tablespoons. It was either my sweat or the rainwater that also rusted out a headset in less than 2 years.
Randall - I know a Denise who is a fiduciary/trustee with a cycling husband. Small place though - could be her sister in law?
Chris no lynn was a good cyclist who got to compete in the Commonwealth games,she did a lot of track racing,her name might have changed ,might have gotten married,She was born there,mom still lives there,lost touch with her years ago
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Had a quick scout through the local bike club websites - can’t find a Lynn there. Will ask around some of the older guys at training and get back to you with any info. Does she have a brother called Mike who’s a pretty useful TT’er?
No she did not have a brother,thanks for any info you find,nice talking to you Randall
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This could be a stupid comment, but I will take the chance and hopefully learn something today.
What about Stainless Steel bolts?
Stainless would work but finding allen headed stainless bolts can be hard,you could try car wax it seems to help,or put clear fingernail polish on them
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