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Home › Lifestyle › Hobbies & Leisure › Cycling › What should I do with my bike after it rains?

What should I do with my bike after it rains?

Started by Morgan Martin38 · · 👁 5 views · 13 replies

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Participants Morgan Martin38shadowgardener12goldenbadger8AMichael SmithAaron Gonzalez6Betty Patel17Jack Sanchez5
Morgan Martin38 Morgan Martin38 NewcomerOP
7 messages
joined Jun 2006
#1 ·
I went out for a ride today and, thank goodness, managed to dodge both downpours from The New York Times.

What do you all think is the best way to handle the drivetrain after riding in the rain?
Is just wiping everything down enough, or should I be spraying something on there or applying some kind of lube?

I’ve got a basic commuter—think along the lines of a Citi Bike—that's at least ten years old now. Up until this point, I've pretty much only ridden when the weather was bone dry. Honestly, I don't have the energy to get out there two or three times a month even when the conditions are perfect, but I really don't want to just toss this thing into a scrap heap; it's still a solid bike.
shadowgardener12 shadowgardener12 Active Member
186 messages
joined Dec 2002
#2 ·
Look, just make sure you keep everything well-lubricated.
There are those specialty rust-preventative sprays... you should probably use them every once in a while. I rode my bike through the snow this winter without lubing it for ages, and after a bit, it sounded like I was dragging a heavy iron plow down the street. Thought I’d have to replace the chain entirely, but the spray saved me.

A little rain won't kill it, but you should wipe down the parts that are most prone to rusting—the ones that aren't heavily lubricated or painted.
Leaving it out in the rain for too long is bad news.
goldenbadger8 goldenbadger8 Member
29 messages
joined Aug 2004
#3 ·
WD-40
A Anonymous Veteran
3.6K messages
joined May 2005
#4 ·
Hey everyone, seriously, don't mess around with WD-40... that stuff strips everything away, including all the good grease in your bike's moving parts like the derailleurs, hubs, pedals, and so on. There are specific degreasers made just for this, but honestly, the best move is to let your bike dry out in a warm room for an hour or so, then apply a bit of high-quality dry lube (you can find it at any local bike shop) to the chain. If you just got caught in some rain, most modern bikes don't even need much maintenance besides the chain. It’s only when you get completely soaked by seawater on a beach somewhere that things start getting complicated... 👍
Morgan Martin38 Morgan Martin38 NewcomerOP
7 messages
joined Jun 2006
#5 ·
Thanks for the tip, Leah!
I’ve heard my fair share of horror stories regarding WD-40—it definitely has a bit of a reputation. However, I hadn't even considered using their dry lubricant until now. I did a quick little deep dive online, and honestly, the price point seems incredibly reasonable. I'm definitely adding it to my shopping list!
A Anonymous Veteran
3.6K messages
joined May 2005
#6 ·
Morgan Martin38 said:Thanks for the tip, Leah!
I've heard some pretty bad things about WD-40 before. I actually hadn't even heard of dry lube until now. I did a quick Google search and realized it's actually super affordable. Definitely adding it to my shopping list!

No problem at all...
With this kind of lube, you just apply a tiny bit—just enough to get a thin film on every link—and then let it sit for about an hour. You’ll want to reapply it once you start hearing the chain hum a bit more, though it’s probably better to do it slightly before that happens. You'll notice these types of oils don't build up gunk on the cassette, and honestly, you won't even have to deal with the nightmare of degreasing the chain for its entire lifespan, which is roughly 2-4 years. Since it's less viscous than your standard oils, just be careful not to spray it all over your rims or tires.
Best!
Michael Smith Michael Smith Newcomer
2 messages
joined May 2006
#7 ·
Ugh...

If I actually had to scrub and grease everything down every single time it rained—honestly, I’d probably just end up spending all my nights working in the basement...

Me? I don't do anything after a storm; I just tuck my bike away in the garage and call it a day.

The chain really only needs lubrication when it's necessary—you shouldn't feel obligated to lube it just because it rained.
Aaron Gonzalez6 Aaron Gonzalez6 Member
44 messages
joined Oct 2006
#8 ·
Just grab some chain lube—you know, that spray-on oil—and just slather it on...
Betty Patel17 Betty Patel17 Member
32 messages
joined Feb 2006
#9 ·
Oh, what a wonderful topic! This is actually something I’ve been struggling with quite a bit lately.
What should I look for when buying chain lube, where can I find it, and what kind of prices am I looking at?

I have another question as well—I've noticed some tiny spots of rust starting to form on my bike frame, specifically right where the paint has been scratched. My bike used to stay tucked away in the garage, but recently I've had it out on the balcony, exposing it to the elements. It doesn't get rained on directly, but I've realized the humidity is really doing a number on it, causing it to deteriorate much faster than before. Now, I've moved it back into the hallway near the stairs—though that feels a little risky regarding potential theft—but I really want to protect it before the rust spreads further. Is there a way to touch up the paint or shield the areas that are already rusting? It’s not much yet, but I'm worried it might spread.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could use to clean those spots and then perhaps apply some oil, a clear coat, or something similar? Anyone?

And what about the chain?
Betty Patel17 Betty Patel17 Member
32 messages
joined Feb 2006
#10 ·
Dry oil? Now, I wonder...
A Anonymous Veteran
3.6K messages
joined May 2005
#11 ·
shadowgardener12 said:Nish, just make sure you keep everything properly lubed.
I've got some specialized rust-preventative sprays that I use every now and then. I was riding mine this winter through the slush, and since I hadn't lubed the chain in ages, it started sounding like I was dragging a heavy iron plow down the street. I honestly thought I’d have to buy a whole new chain, but the spray saved my life.

Those rust-prevention sprays should only be used on parts you've actually taken OFF the bike! If you spray them while they're still attached, you'll wreck your bike in no time!!!

Also, you really need to swap out your chain every 2,000–3,000 miles, otherwise you're going to end up destroying your cassette...
Jack Sanchez5 Jack Sanchez5 Newcomer
6 messages
joined Oct 2007
#12 ·
Leah said:Listen, folks, please don't go playing fast and loose with WD-40... that stuff acts as a solvent for just about everything living, including all those vital lubricants in your bike's drivetrain—think derailleurs, hubs, pedals, and so on. Sure, there are specific degreasers designed for this, but honestly, the gold standard is to let your bike air-dry in a heated room for an hour or so, then apply a light coating of high-quality dry lube (you can find the good stuff at any local shop) to the chain. If you've just ridden through a bit of rain, most modern bikes don't even require much maintenance beyond the chain itself. Now, if you’ve gone and ridden straight into the Atlantic Ocean, then we’re looking at a much more complicated headache... 👍

Exactly! And while we're on the subject, do be wary of those "authorized" repair shops, because some of them—take
MAX, a small business owned by Mario
New York City, Harvard 9 3
(212) 555-0199
SPORTS FOOTWEAR, APPAREL, AND GEAR
RETAIL BUSINESS
operate under the bizarre delusion that it's perfectly acceptable for a bike to squeal even when it's spotless. Their logic? Well, since it's clean, it shouldn't squeak, whereas greasy bikes don't make noise. 🙄 It makes me wonder why a pristine, store-bought bike from a big-box retailer doesn't make a sound, yet one that has been "serviced" (which is really just code for being drowned in WD-40) at the aforementioned establishment sounds like it's channeling spirits from the underworld because its soul hasn't quite found peace yet. 👎
A Anonymous Veteran
3.6K messages
joined May 2005
#13 ·
Carol Lee32 said:
HERE IS THE REAL ISSUE:
During the summer, repair shops are way too slammed to spend time on deep diagnostics or hunting down tricky glitches. They’re basically just stuck doing endless tire patches all day, and there isn't much you can do about it.
If you need any major work done, wait for the colder months (December through February). You won't have crowds of families hanging out at Central Park, and you'll actually be able to have a real conversation with the mechanics at a professional shop.
Unless it's an emergency, just skip the summer rush.
Betty Patel17 Betty Patel17 Member
32 messages
joined Feb 2006
#14 ·
Fumić’s service shop up in Appalachia did such an incredible job fixing my bike back in the day that I can't help but sing their praises. They don't just employ mechanics there; they employ absolute legends when it comes to bicycles. 🙂

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