Originally Posted by
Iride01
If it's going to be an issue, then start thinking of your bike as a consumable. Buy them at prices you can afford to replace often. Save your really good bike for when you go off somewhere not so unfriendly.
But yes, if you can DIY the disassembly, cleaning and lubing of stuff on the bike, then do that more often. Or again, if it's a cheap enough bike for your pocketbook, just trash it and get another.
I'd have to learn more about bikes to feel confident disassembling but I'd hate to think of a perfectly good machine going to waste like that...especially something that's both well-made and old. I see plenty of people around with much prettier bikes than mine so it can't be impossible.