How to protect a bicycle from corrosion?

Frequent driving in mud or snow, moisture, lack of regular maintenance…. And there you have it – your two wheels covered with rust. Not only does it look unsightly, but it also realistically degrades the characteristics of the unicycle and the efficiency of the ride. So it’s time to remove it and take care of bike maintenance on your own. Learn proven ways to get rid of rust tarnish and how to protect your bike from corrosion so it will never be a problem for you again!

How to derust a bicycle? Home remedies for removing rust from a bicycle

WD-40

After carefully inspecting the critical parts of your bike (chain, bolts, sprockets, brakes), use WD-40 and spray those places where rust efflorescence has appeared. WD-40 is an all-purpose agent that effectively cleans metal parts, lubricating them and preventing them from corroding again. It is enough to apply a small amount of the product to the selected components, wait a few/some minutes, and then remove any residual rust with an ordinary cloth. Wondering how to protect your bike from corrosion in the future? Here, too, WD-40 will help you – you’ll read about it later in the text.

Baking soda

Baking soda is a fairly effective home remedy for fighting rust. At first, mix it with water – you will get something like a paste, which you need to cover the corroded surface. After waiting approx. 2h you can proceed to clean the bike. You can quickly remove paste residue with an old toothbrush or wire brush, for example. Remember that the job of baking soda is to peel off the tarnish of rust from metal parts. Thus, it may be that some of the rust deposit remains on the bike and it will be necessary to remove it in its entirety.

Citric acid

How to rust a bicycle using citric acid? Simply dissolve the acid in water (about 2/3 of a teaspoon will be just right) and drop the rust-covered item of your choice into such a solution, for example. screw. However, make sure it is not a painted or varnished part, as the paint layer may be damaged. After a few hours, you can easily remove any residual rust with a wire cutter. If the corrosion has affected a major component (which you won’t be able to unscrew or unbolt from the bike), use a sponge soaked in a previously prepared mixture. Remember that instead of citric acid, you can use lemon juice and salt, which have similar properties.

Vinegar

Before we get to the answer to the question of how to protect a bicycle from corrosion, it is worth mentioning one more method for rusting a unicycle. We are talking about cooking vinegar, which you are sure to find in your kitchen. Dip a rusted metal part in it, hold it for a while and let it dry. Then wipe it thoroughly and scrape off any remaining rust tarnish. For larger bicycle components, you can use a cloth soaked in vinegar, which you must wrap around the area to be cleaned.

How to protect a bicycle from corrosion?

Among the components most vulnerable to corrosion are:

• chain;
• Wheel, rudder and bottom bracket bearings;
• brake discs;
• derailleur cables;
• gears, bolts.

The former in particular requires you to pay a lot of attention. Riding in rain, snow, mud or on trails covered with road salt has a very negative effect on the bicycle chain, leading to its rusting and gradual pulling out. So how do you protect your chain from corrosion? The best solution would be to invest in a specialized chain oil that will provide the maximum level of protection for the chain and extend its life. There are many different formulations on the market, suitable for dry, wet or mixed conditions. Choose one that suits your driving style and the weather conditions in which you most often ride. Important: apply oil only after the chain has been thoroughly rusted, cleaned and dried!

However, protecting a bicycle from corrosion does not end with chain maintenance alone. For other metal parts that are susceptible to corrosion, it is worth using the aforementioned WD-40 preparation. Why should you use it?

• WD-40 is a specialized formulation, specially developed for the removal of corrosion and maintenance of metal surfaces;
• Is capable of instantly displacing moisture;
• dries on the surface of the preserved part and forms a protective layer that lasts up to 6 months;
• Deeply penetrates rust, so it is able to loosen, for example, heavily corroded bolts in a bicycle;
• effectively prevents further corrosion and removes all contaminants from metal parts.

Keep in mind that some components, such as derailleur cables and armor or brake discs, do not tolerate maintenance and mechanical cleaning very well. In their case, the best solution is to simply replace these parts with new ones.

Protecting the bike from corrosion – what about the frame?

Here the division is simple – in the most privileged position are owners of bikes with carbon frames, because they simply do not rust. Frames made of aluminum, contrary to popular belief, can corrode, although usually over a very small area. Owners of steel-framed bicycles are in the worst position. Steel, unfortunately, is very fond of rust and vice versa. You can use automotive wax coatings to protect the steel frame or apply a thin coat of WD-40. However, when rust efflorescence occurs, use specialized means to get rid of corrosion from the frame or go to a professional bicycle service for advice. Qualified professionals will certainly advise you on what to do and what to avoid when it comes to bicycle frame maintenance.

Store your bike in the right place

How to protect a bicycle from corrosion? It certainly cannot be kept “under a cloud.” So forget about leaving your unicycle on the balcony or under the block of flats! This is the worst possible solution, which has a fatal effect on the condition of two wheels and sooner or later will lead to the appearance of rust. Instead, keep your bike indoors, especially during the winter season. Don’t worry if there is not enough room for a unicycle. To the rescue come bicycle racks and hangers that will allow you to store two wheels even in a small studio apartment. Want to know how? Check out the following suggestions from our rtrbikes.com store:

• Brutus Up Pro – a rack that is designed to safely store your bike vertically and horizontally. The former option should be of particular interest to owners of smaller residential units – just place the rack against the wall, put the bike on the rear wheel and ride it over the gutter. The stand is stable and made of damage-resistant material.
• Crank Pro
  – If for some reason you are not convinced by a bike rack, you should try a wall rack. The described model allows you to suspend the bike by the pedals. It’s not only a great way to save valuable space – use it as a striking decoration that will draw the attention of every guest in your apartment!

How to protect a bicycle from corrosion? A well-kept bicycle is a clean bicycle

The last method of protecting a bicycle from corrosion (but by no means the least important) is maintenance and regular washing of two wheels. Dirt from driving can cause more damage than water and moisture, especially if it lingers on individual components for a long time. Remember to dry the bike thoroughly after washing it.

Also, don’t forget to check out our rtrbikes.com store. You will find many different models of bike racks and hangers, so you can easily store your two wheels in your apartment and prevent them from rusting. Check out our offer now!