General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out. Rss Feed  
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2015-12-17 7:32 AM

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Expert
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.
So, my tri group did an indoor trainer ride last night, and afterwards I forgot and left my bike on the rack (on my vehicle). Got up to let the dog out and saw it, there (the very back of my pickup doesn't fit under the car port). It rained, overnight.

Brought it onto the carport, turned it upside down. Let it sit for 30 minutes or so, and got my Stihl BR600 backpack blower out and blew the heck out of it for 10 minutes or so. Got a rag and cleaned the chain and wiped down the rest. Put it in the basement.

I plan to lube it up when I get home from work. Any special instructions for something like this (something I'm missing)? First, for me.

Thanks.


2015-12-17 8:33 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.

It will be ok.  Bikes can handle it.  Just lube it back up.  I have to flip mine over and let the water drain from the seat tube.

2015-12-17 8:37 AM
in reply to: GAUG3

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Expert
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.
Only thing I've ever lubed is the drivetrain. Do I need to worry about the cables in any way (other than the derailleur cables at the drivetrain end)?

Thanks.
2015-12-17 9:14 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.

Check anywhere there's a screw or nut.    New bike this year and twice this summer at races with Saturday bike drop offs it sat overnight in pouring rain in South Jersey.  By the ocean, awesome salt air!  Both mornings on race day I dried and lubed everything with success, no rust.  So I thought.  Missed the inside of all the bolts(where your hex wrench would go) on the cockpit so they are a bit rusty in there.  One race was pretty much a hurricane the night before.  About a month after when I changed tires to use the trainer there was about 10 oz's of water in wheel.  Never knew that could happen.

2015-12-17 12:12 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.

Just wipe it down and do normal maintenance you should be doing anyway regardless of whether it rains or not.  Rain is fresh water and the bike was on the roof of your car.  You should be far more worried about when you actually ride through rain as the water that gets splashed on your bike is no longer "fresh" in terms of the dirt, sand, grit, etc that gets thrown up.

If you live in an area near the coast where there is salt in the air and rust is a factor, again...wiping down your bike and lubing should be part of your normal routine.  It doesn't mater if it rains or not...salt is still in the air.

2015-12-17 12:30 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.

Only thing to add might be to pull the seatpost and let it sit (upside down) overnight to let any trapped water dry/run out of the frame.



2015-12-17 12:32 PM
in reply to: 0

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Expert
2852
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.
It's a Cervelo P2. Do you think that's necessary? It was on the bike rack (not moving)........under the seat.

Only reason I hesitate is......I don't have the little torque wrench to tighten back up.

I appreciate all the tips, guys.

Edited by nc452010 2015-12-17 12:32 PM
2015-12-17 1:20 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.

For future reference...I have used my leaf blower to dry bike after cleaning.
2015-12-18 1:06 AM
in reply to: GODAWGS

Master
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Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.

Side note to everyone with a carbon bike: buy a torque wrench.  You already spent the money on the bike, protect your investment

2015-12-18 5:26 AM
in reply to: spudone

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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.
Originally posted by spudone

Side note to everyone with a carbon bike: buy a torque wrench.  You already spent the money on the bike, protect your investment




Fair enough.

Are all the bolts torqued to the same pounds?
2015-12-18 5:35 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.
Originally posted by nc452010

Originally posted by spudone

Side note to everyone with a carbon bike: buy a torque wrench.  You already spent the money on the bike, protect your investment




Fair enough.

Are all the bolts torqued to the same pounds?


nope.
But cervelo does a pretty good job of providing specs. I have broken multiple parts by over tightening.
Yesterday I received my $35 + $20 shipping, seat post collar replacement for my R3. Nice bug 6Nm on it.


2015-12-18 7:02 AM
in reply to: marcag

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Regular
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Georgetown, KY
Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.
After I ride through heavy rain and don't feel like wiping down and re-lubing directly after the ride, I just hit the drive train and shifters with some WD-40 (water-displacement 40) to get the water out of all the cracks and crevices and keep it from rusting. Then I'll do a clean and lube sometime soon. Water doesn't hurt anything.
2015-12-18 3:41 PM
in reply to: Bradleykd

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Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.

Just know that WD-40 is essentially a degreaser.  It will clean your chain, but at the same time remove any of the chain lube that was previously there.

I find WD40 is good for cleaning parts of the bike that I don't want any lube on...such as the chain stays, stem bolts, etc.  But I don't use it on my chain.  I use Rock n Roll gold.  Makes cleaning and lubing the chain extremely easy.

2015-12-18 5:14 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Master
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Subject: RE: Bike left in the rain. I'm not freaking out.
I probably sweat more on my bikes than a bad rainstorm. I honestly wouldn't worry about it.
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