Salt air/fog/rain and ebikes...
02-23-23, 07:31 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 31
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
5 Posts
Salt air/fog/rain and ebikes...
Staying on the Gulf Coast for 3 months, and biking every day, for the first time. Ocean is about 1/4 mile away. The bikes (Trek XM700 and Trek Lift+ Lowstep) have to stay out all the time, not even an overhang to hide them under. I do have waterproof covers for them. Have been sometimes surprised by quick, un-forecasted, weather changes though. High off-ocean winds, marine fog, and very brief rain events sometimes happen without them being covered. At least I always put a plastic bag over the Brooks saddle. Have noticed on those times the outside of the RV feels "slick" more than would be normal from rain. I assume wind blown salt laden spray carried inland. My fairly new chain surface rusted almost over night! I do degrease and reoil them weekly now, to keep it and the drive train modestly protected.
Should I be doing more? Gentle hose down frequently (I have hot/cold available)? The LBS back home is running their Spring Re-do-it-all special - should I schedule it for my return, to do a total bearing teardown/repack? Any other tips to avoid salt/corrosion issues?
Should I be doing more? Gentle hose down frequently (I have hot/cold available)? The LBS back home is running their Spring Re-do-it-all special - should I schedule it for my return, to do a total bearing teardown/repack? Any other tips to avoid salt/corrosion issues?
02-23-23, 11:46 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,264
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 882 Post(s)
Liked 821 Times
in
620 Posts
I'm in an area of socal where that's not a problem, but I have friends who live near the beach and even though they keep their bikes inside, they experience corrosion. If I were in your environment I would (keep the bikes inside which apparently isn't possible for you, but at least keep the batteries inside), wash and wax them regularly and service the motors when you return.
03-15-23, 12:18 PM
#3
Banned
Believe it not but rust requires oxygen and anything that presents a barrier will prevent rust. Something that works rather well is spray starch from an aerosol can. It is harmless and easy to clean off and does prevent oxidation on metal surfaces. When I have metal parts that need to be protected after cleaning off oil protectorants I use spray starch to keep them from oxiding while they are stored.
As the bike cools during the night any moisture in the air can condense on the metal parts even with a bike cover. I have gone to using large plastic storage bags meant for storing bed mattresses as I can seal the bag and this helps a great deal.
As the bike cools during the night any moisture in the air can condense on the metal parts even with a bike cover. I have gone to using large plastic storage bags meant for storing bed mattresses as I can seal the bag and this helps a great deal.
