question about riding in the rain.
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glbrum posted 2 years ago.
easy cheesy. I'm the same way as you. I don't want to take my nice tri bike in the rain. Actually, I won't unless it's a race. There's really not much too it, besides your normal cleaning. Most bikes (atleast my Felt road bike) has a couple of holes by the rear quick release and after the rain riding, tip it up and let the water run out. Then what I'll do is take a hose to it and wash off the dirt, rocks, debris, etc that gets kicked up in the rain. Then proceed with the normal cleaning. That's what I do and although I live in CA, I have ridden in my fair share of rain. My bikes are still working fine.
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bluebirdbiker posted 2 years ago.
Living in Vancouver BC we get lots o rain. My race bike is only for races and if it rains on race day, so be it. But the commuter/trainer is an all purpose bike. Under the rigours of my riding/commuting to and from work it gets >6mo of rain/year and >250km/week sometimes in rain over 5 days in a row. I trust that the riding you are doing will not be as bad but in so as mine is, I find that after a week or two of rain riding (serious rain) I must take it apart and dry off everything. Now I am talking serious rain, not just a sprinkle or a one or five time event. You don't have to go to such an extent but just dry it off well. Should you BE concerned places to be after a good soaking are the STI shifter levers. Make sure they are dried off well and also squirt in some WD40 to the mechanism. This keeps the water out. Also the cables are a major place that water can accumulate and reduce performance. Make sure that you oil/WD40 or grease these puppies regulary. The chain will also lose some of the grease over like 2-3 days of rain riding so more frequent oiling there is recommended. Other than that unless you are, like I said riding alot in the rain, no need to worry about them but the hubs and back cassette bearings can take a beating over time (months). You can as a prevention squirt some WD40 in the cassette bearing as well, the place that ticks. Other than that do not worry for like 3-4 times of rain riding. Also, rise it off with a hose (power spray; thumb over opening) and focus on the derailleurs and cassette areas, also hubs and under the bike. Dirt and stones etc. accumulate there. Then, just dry the bike off after a ride. That's all it needs. Have fun, but beware of the white lines and sewer lids as they are killers and will take you out in a snap (been there done that). Have fun with it! Smile at the drivers. They will think you're crazy. :D
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thehitman posted 2 years ago.
bluebirdbiker wrote:
... Make sure they are dried off well and also squirt in some WD40 to the mechanism.... :D
I've heard that WD40 can gum things up, so I don't use it for general lubrication. White Lightning on my chain, and a teflon spray lubricant elswhere.
I got caught in a downpour a couple of days ago. It was really refreshing on a warm, muggy day. It's a great time of year to be out riding, rain or shine. :)
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Triguy98 posted 2 years ago.
The main reason WD-40 is not used as a lubricant is cause it doesnt have good staying power. It does wonders for shedding water though. So spray it on after the rain, let it dry, then lube with normal lube.
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Iron Man posted 2 years ago.
you need to get out in the rain because it's entirely different to riding in the dry. If it's raining on race day you will be thankful you have had some expierence in the rain.
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Anton posted 2 years ago.
I've ridden in all sorts of crap...just to get used to riding in crap. It pays off...All the tri's or du's where I've gotten an AG win have been in bad conditions.
IMLP in 2003 was..well all you could do is laugh...50 degrees and rain...I mean poured! You left a wake on the road and had to dodge rooster tails...
Ride in the rain...you'll feel born again hard.
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rbreddin75 posted 2 years ago.
TRIGUY'S RIGHT...
WD-40 is a good penetrator, but it isn't a long term solution to lubrication needs.
use one of the MANY lubes with teflon in it for lasting protection on your bike...
but when you clean your bike, remember to re-lube the chain & derailleurs
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ok everyone, i just got a new bike a few months ago (felt s32) and have been training on it since. it has recently started to rain a fair amount around these parts and i have been riding on the trainer on these days instead of taking it outside. my roommate keeps making fun of me, telling me that i baby my bike too much and that i should just man up and ride it outside. it seems silly to do it as im sure the rain isn't good for the whole rig, and i dont mind riding on the trainer. but what about if it is raining on race day?
what do you all do after your bike gets a thorough soaking? what sort of maintenance is necessary to keep it in tip-top shape?