dvai

We moved from the Midwest to Southern California. Riding in the midwest was great but only feasible for a few months per year.

Here in California we commonly ride by the ocean and I have noticed a few issues. We have. trek SLR with SRAM Red and a second bike with Shimano 105.
Both get rust on the drivetrain. Especially the chain on the bike with the 105.
We use chain lube to protect but we do not wash the bikes after each ride. Is just not feasible.

My question is if there is anything to do to prevent. I brush the sprockets and chain with a wire brush with some success.
Anything else to do? Im guessing the drivetrain won't last as long but Im not worried about that.

I understand is part of the issues when riding with sand and the salt but any tips?

zandoval 

After living in Galveston less than 100 m from the water I came to realize that the salt is in the air. There is just no way to get away from it. My rick was to give my bike a bird bath when sand was visible. And then follow up with WD40 over the entire bike. It kinda worked.

Now days if I were back on the Island I would use ArmourAll tire foam as a protectant.

I saw some bicycles over in Galveston that I am sure the only thing holding them together was the rust...

Polaris OBark

I ride near the ocean all the time and never noticed any issues. My bikes are steel (apart from a new mountain bike). Maybe chain wax helps?

It would probably be worthwhile to wipe down the bike with a small towel after every ride.

delbiker1 

I have lived within a couple miles of the Atlantic for 48 years. I ride along coastal highway nearly everyday. I have never had a significant issue with corrosion. I am not obsessive about cleaning my bikes, but I do keep up on the maintenance. My bikes are never stored outdoors. My usual drive train work consists of simply wiping the chain, rings, cassettes and derailleurs with a rag, then lubing and wiping off excess. The chain gets a small drop on each link and wiped really well.

Iride01 

Lube your chain more often. Or spray all the unpainted metal parts with WD-40 or a decent petroleum base preservative which are essentially just lubes themselves.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. You'll probably get plenty of life out of the stuff whether it's rusted or not Surface rust is more just a eyesore assuming you are lubing the parts often enough for the places you can't see.

WaveyGravey

Seems like WD40 would do the trick for the drivetrain. But for the finish on the frame it seems an automotive wax or protectant would be helpful.

streetsurfer

Fluid Film

aircraft operated within a certain distance from coastal waters require a
different level
of maintenance. Stands to reason bikes could benefit too.

Hermes

I ride the coast and at Mission Bay and live 1 mile from the ocean. No problems for me. Carbon fiber frames, Shimano / SRAM components.

Maybe rinse bikes and dry after rides.

dvai

Very useful (and yes, salt is definitely in the air).
The frames are carbon so that's all good.

I will use WD40 to coat the metal parts and lube the chain more often.

dvai

Over WD40 or they are equivalent?

Garfield Cat

I realize that the airlines are getting a lot of bad things happening these days, especially Boeing.

Anyways, here goes. Boeshield is a lube that the Boeing engineers developed many years ago and one thing was rust.

If you go to a Marine hardware store, you will find Boeshield T-9 on the shelf. That is a testimony that the stuff works for boaters.

Since you're in So Calif, it would be relatively easy to locate a Marine hardware store.

Peevess

Riding by the ocean sounds like the perfect way to unwind and recharge. Lately, work has been quite exhausting, and I've been craving some time to reconnect with nature and clear my mind. Planning a trip to ride by the ocean and soak in the beauty of the mountains sounds like just what I need, any travel up reviews? I love being close to the water and surrounded by the majestic scenery of the mountains. I can already imagine the sense of freedom and peace that comes with riding along the coastline with the sound of the waves crashing nearby.

TMonk

I am also in coastal San Diego like Hermes and frequently near the ocean. I take no measures to protect my bike from salt and have no rust issues. Must be something weird about your area!