Help me save my bike from rusty ruin!

[KingGheedora]

I left my bike locked in the backyard today. I normally keep it inside but sometimes in good weather I'll lock it outside because it's easier to take in and out that way.

I didn't know it would rain today. I'm at work right now, but last time I did this the bike rusted over within a day or two. Especially the cassette and gear chain. Riding it was super laborious after that. I literally just got the cassette and chain replaced YESTERDAY and now this happens. Hopefully the new parts are still covered with some oil or something enough that they are somewhat protected.

Is there anything I can do immediately upon getting home tonight that can minimize or prevent water damage (rust)?

 

[Numenorean]

Here's a thought - dry it off when you get home. I know...just too difficult to figure that out eh?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Dry it off. Make sure the parts that can rust are lubed. Is the bike steel or aluminum?

Oh, and clean the chain and lube it periodically.

 

[KingGheedora]

@Numenorean: Thanks, smart ass. I figured it was obvious that I was asking for advice beyond the obvious (i.e., drying it off), but I guess that was asking too much of you.

As mentioned in OP, the rusting happens very fast, and so I wanted to know if there is anything I can do to reverse the rusting process that has already started. By the time I get home tonight it will have been about 7 hours since the bike got rained on. The bike might be mostly already dry by then too.

 

[KingGheedora]

Can I use WD40 on the chain and cassette? Or should I be using some special type of lube or oil?

 

[lxskllr]

I always used WD40. It's one of the worlds most perfect fluids(next to whisky).

 

[lord_emperor]

Can I use WD40 on the chain and cassette? Or should I be using some special type of lube or oil?

Never use WD40.

You should have bicycle lube on them already. In fact if you did it would not even rust, I've ridden my bike through rivers and lakes to no ill effect.

Does it rain coca cola where you live or something?

 

[Numenorean]

Can I use WD40 on the chain and cassette? Or should I be using some special type of lube or oil?

A Water Displacer to displace water?

 

[Dirigible]

Can I use WD40 on the chain and cassette? Or should I be using some special type of lube or oil?

WD40 is good for displacing water. Not good as a chain lube.

Lots of different lubricants would work. Some use motor oil. Some use special chain lubes from bike stores.

I use this: http://www.rocklube.com/extreme.htm

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Next time keep your bike inside.

 

[BoomerD]

WD40 is good for displacing water. Not good as a chain lube.

Lots of different lubricants would work. Some use motor oil. Some use special chain lubes from bike stores.

I use this: http://www.rocklube.com/extreme.htm

WD-40 is better than nothing...at least for helping to prevent rust, but I agree, it's definitely NOT a good chain lubricant. In fact, it can help strip any remaining lubricant from the chain...

http://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/

http://bicycletutor.com/lubricants/

 

[KingGheedora]

A Water Displacer to displace water?

I'm guessing "WD" stands for "Water Displacer"? I never knew that.

 

[KingGheedora]

WD40 is good for displacing water. Not good as a chain lube.

Lots of different lubricants would work. Some use motor oil. Some use special chain lubes from bike stores.

I use this: http://www.rocklube.com/extreme.htm

Can I get this at Home Depot? Is there any lube or oil at Home Depot that would be good to use on the chain? I happen to be headed there on my way home today anyways, so it would be convenient if I could pick something up while there.

 

[Modelworks]

Rust happens because bare metal was exposed to air, so anything like a chain that gets a lot of friction will not have a protective coating to stop it from rusting. We always used regular 40 weight motor oil when I was kid and I continue it as an adult and never had a problem, not even when the bike got wet. I guess it is the thicker nature of the oil that makes it harder to wash off.

 

[Numenorean]

I'm guessing "WD" stands for "Water Displacer"? I never knew that.

Yup.

 

[BoomerD]

Lowe's has this:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_339778-1409-...ductId=3400016

Which SHOULD be available at Home Depot.
Maybe not as "cool" as the chain lube products made specially for bicycles, but should work just as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cQ87q6KH2Y&feature=player_embedded

 

[Dirigible]

Lowe's has this:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_339778-1409-...ductId=3400016

Which SHOULD be available at Home Depot.
Maybe not as "cool" as the chain lube products made specially for bicycles, but should work just as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cQ87q6KH2Y&feature=player_embedded

Boomer's got a good idea. Look for that or something like that if you want to buy at Home Depot.


The bike lube I linked to will almost certainly NOT be available at Home Depot.

 

[MiniDoom]

Lubricants Not to Use!

While it's hard to say which lubricants are best for chains, some lubricants are real no-nos:

Automotive motor oil contains detergent, to wash away combustion products, and is made to be renewed constantly under pressure from the motor's oil pump. I rode once with someone who had used it the day before, and her chain was already squeaking.
"Household" oil, such as 3 in 1, is a vegetable oil and is acidic. It tends to gum up. (It's really bad news inside internal hub gears, too...)
WD-40 and other thin sprays are intended more as solvents than lubricants. They evaporate quickly.

http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

I commute on a steel bike, often in the rain. The paint on the frame protects the outside but you'll want to get a can of Jp Weigle's Frame Saver for the inside of the frame if it's steel.
The problem with heavier oils on the chains is they pick up more grit and shorten the chains life.