Chain and cassette corrosion

NeedsTraining

Hi folks,

I purchased a new bike in Dec, it didn't move from the turbo until Feb, so not too many miles on the clock yet.

Already there is corrosion on the chain and cassette. Upon flagging this to the bike shop, their response was 'this is normal'.

Should there be corrosion on the parts already? My experience of corrosion on other types on items are it takes a period of time. Are bike components different?
I have oiled the parts every few weeks. Bike is stored in a shed.

Could it be a fault with the parts? Do I/Should I have any comeback with the bike shop?

Am I barking out of order?

Cheers,

NT

niceonetom

NeedsTraining wrote: »

Hi folks,

I purchased a new bike in Dec, it didn't move from the turbo until Feb, so not too many miles on the clock yet.

Already there is corrosion on the chain and cassette. Upon flagging this to the bike shop, their response was 'this is normal'.

Should there be corrosion on the parts already? My experience of corrosion on other types on items are it takes a period of time. Are bike components different?
I have oiled the parts every few weeks. Bike is stored in a shed.

Could it be a fault with the parts? Do I/Should I have any comeback with the bike shop?

Am I barking out of order?

Cheers,

NT

I have identified the problem captain.

Chips Lovell

When you say corrosion, do you mean rust?

Morgan

Assuming your cassette is aluminium then it won't be corroded - it's just rust that's rubbed off your chain.

If you chain isn't properly looked after it'll rust within days (or even hours). Road-salt is particularly unkind to them.

Chips Lovell

Any chain and cassette will rust if you don't wipe it down after washing or riding in the rain.

Morgan wrote: »

Assuming your cassette is aluminium then it won't be corroded - it's just rust that's rubbed off your chain.

Aluminium cassettes???:eek: Is that what you mountain bikers are riding these days?

Morgan

el tonto wrote: »

Aluminium cassettes???:eek: Is that what you mountain bikers are riding these days?

Feck - total brain fade. That's what I get for missing my 9pm bedtime....

blorg

Morgan wrote: »

If you chain isn't properly looked after it'll rust within days (or even hours).

This is very true; I once left a chain overnight to dry after degreasing. Completely rusty in the morning.

To be honest what you describe does sound normal. Chains and cassettes are made of steel.

DirkVoodoo

Yup, I had a chain rust within hours after a winter trip to Howth. Cycled home about 6 hours later and all I heard was grinding, got off and looked down, saw that it was already showing spots of rust.

Conditions are key, like Morgan said if you cycle on winter roads or near the sea, be extra vigilant. Also, humidity is important. A garden shed is probably a slightly moist environment anyway. Wipe down the chain and relube often.

NeedsTraining

Thanks for the replies guys.

Looks like it is normal afterall.

To follow on from this, what do you guys use to lubricate your chains, cassettes etc

DirkVoodoo

Winter/Commuter:



Summer:

cdaly_

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Last summer:

There, fixed that for you...

Robertd_07

cdaly_ wrote: »

There, fixed that for you...

Great stuff.
Just make sure and wipe off any excess.
Ruined a chain by not doing this, ended up with inches of grime on my chain.
Took an hour to get off.