How Rain Damages Your Bike (And How to Prevent It)

Riding in the rain is fine. Riding in the rain without looking after your bike afterwards isn't. Here's what rain actually does to your bike and how to protect it.

The chain

Water washes lubricant off the chain and accelerates corrosion. A chain ridden wet and left wet can visibly rust overnight. Even without visible rust, water thins the lubricant film and allows metal-to-metal contact between the chain's internal components — the rollers, pins, and inner plates.

Prevention: After every wet ride, wipe the chain with a clean cloth and apply a wet-weather chain lube. Wet-condition lubes (thicker than summer lubes) stay on the chain in rain. Don't use thin dry lubes in wet weather — they wash off within minutes.

Cables and housing

Water finds its way inside cable housing through the open ends at the cable stops. Inside the housing, it causes the cable to corrode and the housing liner to deteriorate. The result is sluggish, stiff gear and brake action.

Prevention: Fully sealed housing (such as Gore-Tex lined cables) significantly reduces this problem. Sealing cable entry points with a small amount of grease also helps.

Bearings

Wheel hub bearings, the bottom bracket, and the headset all contain bearings that water can reach. Water displaces grease, and bearings running without lubrication wear quickly.

Prevention: Quality sealed bearings (cartridge-type) are much more water-resistant than cup-and-cone bearings. Annual servicing should include re-greasing cup-and-cone bearings on bikes ridden in wet conditions.

Frame corrosion

Steel frames in particular can rust from the inside out if water gets in through the bottom bracket area or seat tube. This is slow but irreversible.

Prevention: Turning the bike upside down after a wet ride allows water to drain from the frame. A frame protector (waxy spray) inside the down tube and seat tube traps water before it reaches bare metal.

Brake pads and rotors

Grit suspended in water gets embedded in brake pads and acts as an abrasive. Disc rotors develop a thin layer of surface rust overnight, which brakes off during the first few applications in the morning — causing a brief grinding sound that's normal.

Prevention: Check pads for embedded grit periodically. Don't apply lubricant anywhere near brake surfaces.