Originally Posted by
wolfchild
I don't bother cleaning my bikes during winter. I rinse the salt off with water once a year at the end of winter season and keep everything well lubed. Don't worry about a little bit of rust on the chain, bolts and other hardware, the rust is just cosmetic. The most important thing is protecting the frame. Spray some automotive rustproofing oil inside the frame.
I prepare my winter bike in the fall by removing any rust spots I find, touching up the paint, and then greasing and oiling.
In the winter it's too cold and messy to bother with much. I wipe off the chain from time to time, and apply fresh oil. Any cleaning I try seems futile—the next slushy day negates my efforts.