Originally Posted by
roadsnakes
My LBS told me I shouldn`t ride my only bike all year long. I have a TREK Verve III.
I don`t ride in the snow and slush, but when the roads are dry , I ride.
The LBS told be the salt residue on the roads would kill my TREK, and I need to get a "Winter Bike".
Does anyone ride the same bike all year?
Someone is trying to sell you another bike. There's nothing wrong with having more than one bike but don't buy a "winter bike" just to keep your current (inexpensive) bike clean.
Please don't take this the wrong way but your Verve is what many who are looking for an inexpensive winter bike would use. It's inexpensive enough to be replaced after several seasons of year around riding.
To maintain it, wash it after riding in salty conditions. A car wash will be fine as long as you don't put the spray nozzle right at any bearing surfaces. For around the hubs, bottom bracket and headset, use the spray that comes out of the handle when you don't pull the trigger. And you don't need to wash it for hours. Around my neighborhood, the car washes have a 2 minute minimum. That's usually a minute too long.