How To Keep Your Bike Rust Free

Despite bike tech becoming more and more advanced, rust or corrosion is still a problem that riders face, and this isn't going to go away soon! Luckily taking a few simple steps can ensure your bike never rusts and is always ready for an adventure! Join Alex as shows you how to keep your bike free from rust!
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[@gcntech]

Did these tips help you? Let us know in the comments 👇

[@supernoodles908]

Clean and oil/grease your bike. You don't need a bike specify grace as well. For chain lube I do prefer a bike specific lube. For reducing moisture in/on your bike, don't waste a spray. Just use a heated fan if you've got one.

[@arvo_cado]

Yeah it helped... but what do I do if I have oil on my disc-breaks?

[@kedarkulkarni3030]

3:14 to 3:19 si wrote that part right😂

[@kedarkulkarni3030]

@@arvo_cado clean rotor and brake pads throughly with soap and water and it should be fine

[@arvo_cado]

@@kedarkulkarni3030 Hahaha the big X

[@thewarrior195]

As a new bike owner, I could definitely benefit from a more thorough walkthrough on what goes where and what DOESNT go where. Maybe another 10 min vs 30 min version of this like ya did with the bike wash (super helpful).

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

#askgcntech I watched the older videos, with like Si and John Cannings doing them. They tend to be more detail rich. The videos from like 4-5 years ago and maybe on the main GCN channel itself are especially detailed.

[@Rob-us5po]

Grease brake pads and tyres, degrease all bearings, locktite on chain links and seat post...

[@MasterBaetiong]

I agree with you. If someone knows a more detailed video covering this topic please drop it here.

[@gabmichael8546]

When things were at their very worst: 2 Suns, Cross in the sky, 2 comets will collide = don`t be afraid - repent, accept Lord`s Hand of Mercy. The first sign - the Earth will spin faster. The second sign concerns the sun, which will loom larger, brighter and begin to spin. Scientists will say it was a global illusion. Beaware - Jesus will never walk in flesh again. After WW3 - rise of the “ man of peace“ from the East = Antichrist - the most powerful, popular, charismatic and influential leader of all time. Many miracles will be attributed to him. He will imitate Jesus in every conceivable way. Don`t trust „pope“ Francis = the False Prophet - will seem to rise from the dead - will unite all Christian Churches and all Religions as one. One World Religion = the seat of the Antichrist. Benedict XVI is the last true pope - will be accused of a crime of which he is totally innocent. - banking collapse was deliberately masterminded by the Antichrist - Antichrist will step in and create a false peace in the state of Israel by joining them with palestine in an unlikely alliance. - „He will recite extracts from My Teachings, which he will passionately proclaim from every secular stage in the world, until people sit up and take notice of him.“ The Book of Truth mdmlastprophet.com/the-schism-in-my-church-will-be-broken-into-different-stages/ mdmlastprophet.com/arab-uprising-will-spark-global-unrest-italy-will-trigger-fall-out/ mdmlastprophet.com/they-will-say-that-i-was-married-they-will-say-that-i-was-simply-a-prophet/

[@StorlaggarN]

GCN Tech has a video describing the difference between grease, lube, fibergrip and threadlocker as well as where to use them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZqaZaJmgJxjZs0

[@dh7314]

3 fastest things in the cycling world: -Alaphilippe Descending in a super tuck -MVDP at Strade Bianche 2021 finish -People commenting "this is just an advert" on a new GCN video

[@mango9087]

It do be true doe

[@SniperSnake50BMG]

Rare that you feature Sora groupset in such a good light...

[@emilskravalis9058]

I gotta admit, just holding a cloth behind the parts you're spraying with an aerosol is bloody genius and I will most certainly be doing that from now on. Does make me wonder where my own head has been all this time.

[@jameslee-pevenhull5087]

Don't waste cloth. Use an old newspaper.

[@Bellerophon17]

Was about to comment the exact same thing! Seems so obvious now

[@jonfairway8235]

I love how they always show the cleaning of an already gleaming clean chain .... lol and not one covered black gunky clingy horrible to get off muck..... lol

[@CyclingLifePT]

Just to add to your intro: Rust is the oxidation of metal with the oxygen all around us, and also water. Which is not just a catalist, but a molecule that contains oxygen. That is why the chemical compound is H2O (meaning 2 atoms of hidrogen + 1 atom of oxygen). So, many times the metals form rust by interacting directly or solely with water, and not with the air around us.

[@leslie7922]

I'm not sponsored but the muc off bike protect stuff is really good.

[@SonnyDarvish]

I look forward to the natural decomposition of my current bike and save money for the next bike

[@tommyphillips8547]

Good to see that Ollie has taught Alex well...

[@kierandoescycling9349]

😂😂

[@shawnchong2761]

Alex has much to learn about Science from Oille

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

Was just thinking that I need to know this. Thanks!

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Other than outside rust what are the indications for any rust on a 94 lugged frame set well mauntained well indoors with some touch ups?

[@manueldeubler1127]

This is probably a bad idea, but could you do a 15 minutes version of this video with Dr. Oliver Bridgewood geeking out about the chemistry of oxidization (not just the oxygen kind, but everything that involves electron transfer reactions)?

[@dasreicht]

And what if there is already rust? D: in my beautiful drive train

[@endurancesweat]

If you are using a "dry (wax-based) lubricant" on your chain, do not apply a petroleum based product on it. If the chain is wet, just wipe it off and reapply the dry lubricant.

[@robbeelsas]

Also: get yourself a good high volume air compressor to blow all the moisture out of your drivetrain after you gave it a good glean with degreaser (and hosed it down obviously). Personally, I use a two component degreaser which leaves behind a thin oil film after being washed off with plain water such that after drying, the chain doesn't rust simply by being in contact with the moisture in the air. However, any normal degreaser will do if you simply lube your chain right after drying of course

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

Hey Alex whats the difference between moisture and water?

[@michaelmester9076]

Is a trek 1500 more similar to a trek elmonda or trek delmone???don’t know which to get 🤷‍♂️

[@johnandrews3568]

I used compressed air to blow moisture out of hard to get places on the bike. Keep a can in my bike tool box.

[@jamesrobert262]

Thanks Alex, very helpful

[@Devil_Inside_LV]

Lubing cables will make shifting worse much faster. Lube (even dry) collects dust and other particles and then transports them right into cable housing.

[@coldforgedcowboy]

They live in the UK where it rains 40% of the time so they don't have much choice. Either you lubricate your cable or they don't move. This is why they really like cableless drivetrains in the UK.

[@xtrailz]

That's why I change my cables every other week

[@coldforgedcowboy]

@@xtrailz ... And twice on Sunday.

[@jedisdad2265]

Very important in high humidity climates like Houston, Texas, USA. Thank goodness my bike is stored indoors in a climate controlled area.

[@amyx231]

My new bike fell over. And during assembly I had a couple booboos. Derailleur, back rack, and front fender all have areas without paint. How worried do I need to be about rust? I’m unsure if it’s steel or aluminum. Frame is aluminum.

[@shawnchong2761]

Alex needs a Chemistry class from Oille. Rust is the oxidization of iron and its alloys. Corrosion is the oxidization of metals.

[@HabaneroTi]

When referring to alloy parts on bikes it generally means aluminum-based, and aluminum (or aluminium to you commonwealth folks) doesn't rust. It oxidizes, but in a way that's far less of a problem on bikes that are properly maintained. The only metal parts on bikes, or really anything, that rust, are iron-based ones, which on bikes means steel, which is mainly used in moving parts that bear a lot of dynamic load and wear, like chains, chain rings, cogs, bearings and the like, and of course steel frames. And if you keep them clean and well-lubed and stored indoors and away from moisture, you shouldn't have a problem with rust.

[@kuxey.6731]

How can you tell when your chain is properly dry when you clean it and dry it ?

[@gilakhir719]

when theres no water particles

[@supernoodles908]

Just use a hot fan on your chain of you've got one. Once chain is warm for 5-10 mins, give it a spin and then another 5 mins and it'll be bone dry

[@janbonkowski35]

@@supernoodles908 What a waste of energy. Just spin the crank fast when it´s very wet. Then you can use an old towell to get rid of the remained water.

[@robbeelsas]

A quick blow with the old air compressor always does the job for me

[@Djuntas]

Just wash it, dry it a bit and wait to next day having stored the bike away from rain.

[@kyleabejuela7171]

If you allow your chains to rust. Will it get rusty everytime even after you clean the rust off?

[@polarisnebro2074]

what about steel frame innerds?

[@TreyTaj]

I live in a building, if I leave my bike on the balcony, cover it and lubricant it once every month, will that keep my bike chain from rusting?

[@richardedwards4997]

I have heads of bolts getting a light dusting of rust over time. What can I do the neutralise that?

[@Aubreykun]

Take them out, wire brush the rust off, and coat with something. Paint, automotive paint sealant, a non-cleaner automotive wax or a melted solid wax (candle, paraffin or beeswax). You can also plug over the bolt with wax - it can look ugly but will seal the whole head and gaps around it. If you want to replace them - you can either swap to stainless or higher quality chrome or zinc plated cromo bolts. For non-load-bearing bolts you can (at your own risk) use nylon, Ti or alu bolts. Don't use Ti or Alu in steel parts/nuts, it will accelerate corrosion. Nylon is the weakest so be careful with that - for plugging the holes on unused rack and bottle bosses mostly

[@_driane]

Thats pretty much imposible in this humid country.

[@johanwessberg7641]

Do you need to clean and grease the bearings in your wheels or are they sealed?

[@robbeelsas]

Depends on which hubs you got. Some cup-cone style hubs from Shimano (even newer models) would certainly benefit from some maintenance now and then but generally speaking, most hubs use sealed bearings these days

[@Aubreykun]

If they use cartridge bearings you just need high quality ones (NSK, SKF, KSM, etc. Not ceramic). If loose-ball then yes you do.

[@Unknown72027]

Does anyone know what to do to protect my frame after my chain scratched my frame and exposed bare metal?

[@DanTuber]

what does that bike protector stuff do?

[@thenine83]

Pretty much the same thing that MO94, GT85 and WD40 does. It displaces water. It smells nicer than all those other ones though and it's one more thing that Muc-Off can sell to you.

[@robbeelsas]

@@thenine83 actually, I did test it against MO94 and WD40 and found that it tends to stay on longer and, on bikes with a matte paint job, gives a much less "spotty" appearance. However, if aesthetics don't matter and you regularly wash (and thus coat) your bike anyway, it's probably not worth the price

[@johnmbrown7515]

Too bad you didn't cover the insidious galvanic corrosion, much of which is due to poor frame design. It's been my nightmare having to toss one frame which had an aluminum bb sleeve oxydize away from the CF. Now I'm dealing with corroded alloy internal cable grommets on a CF frame! I wash and maintain the bikes after every ride!

[@Aubreykun]

Planned obsolescence. CF frames are also not recyclable or biodegradable. If corrosion is your big issue then an Alu frame is probably a good idea (I don't like them because of the limited stress-based lifespan but it's better than CF...)

[@johnmbrown7515]

​@@Aubreykun Alu frames also suseptable to galvanic oxidation. I had a few alu frames. A custom ti frame with no alu bits including ti DOs and BB sleeve would be ideal I believe. There are some pretty nice ti frames from besoke custom builders these days.

[@Aubreykun]

@@johnmbrown7515 Galvanic requires another material. If you use as many alu parts as you can and separate steel fasteners with insulating materials like plastic shims, washers, and use a dielectric grease you should be pretty good for a while. And there's a lot more material to take up any corrosion that does happen vs the thin isolated inserts in a CF frame. Plus when it eventually does fall apart - into the recycling stream it goes.

[@emilema5445]

when should I replace grease?

[@robbeelsas]

As Alex mentioned (if you use high-quality grease, like Park Tool HPG-1 for example), you're probably fine if you check the greased areas of your bike every major bike service, which (for many people) tends to be once a year. However if you use a pressure washer a lot, you might wanna check more frequently

[@lawrencemcintosh1230]

Alex, question, disc brake caliper, mine are showing signs of corrosion, don’t want to use WD40 type lube, as I don’t want that on the rotor, any suggestions what to use?

[@oddeinaraurbakken5916]

Could remove wheel and break pads first.

[@Babkyb]

what about wax on the chain?

[@supernoodles908]

Dry lubes aren't the best for rust prevention as it just washes off

[@Babkyb]

@@supernoodles908 well, waxed chain prevent rust to go inside, because it seals. Prevent from breaking and give a longer life to your chain. But you need a better maintenance.

[@Babkyb]

@@supernoodles908 moreover, when you clean your chain you clean only one the surface, but all the rust inside the chain still remains. Do you add lub on rusty inside. No good, and you chain brakes earlier. To get off the rust you have to clean it with a long process of different type of bathing. When your chain is completely clean (out and inside) you can lub, but will rust faster or you can wax, and rust, dust won't get in so easily as it is with all the lub, protection or whatever the marketing name.

[@Babkyb]

@@supernoodles908 it's used by lot of big pro or ppl looking for efficiency.

[@Babkyb]

@@supernoodles908 and it's cheap 😎

[@roarman75]

Thanks but would have been great to cover other areas of the bike.

[@MarcoSimoneGili]

#askgcntech oi oi oi! What about the Di2 destruction video?? 🤷‍♂️ Is it SO INDESTRUCTIBLE? 😂

[@supernoodles908]

Clean and oil/grease your bike. You don't need a bike specify grace as well. For chain lube I do prefer a bike specific lube. For reducing moisture in/on your bike, don't waste a spray. Just use a heated fan if you've got one.

[@santosaustria3560]

#askgcntech what is the steel parts of the full alloy bike, full carbon bike, and full titanium bike? I plan to replace the rusty and rotten ones

[@coldforgedcowboy]

In bicycles, you generally find steel alloys in the chain, cassette, pedal axles, hub axles, cables, and spokes.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Stem bolts. If, like me, you're constantly messing with your position then every time you go near these you wear away the plating and they rust and then they round off. So buy a massive pack for a fiver and just replace whenever you dislike the rust colour

[@zeng58]

My bike started to rust it’s nearly 10 years I keep it outside watching this movie

[@openwheelracing88]

can I use WD40 for the last step? On the derailleur and caliper pivot points.

[@oftankoftan]

absolutely you can

[@EleanorPeterson]

British cyclists will already know this, but salt on the roads is a real pain if you ride in winter (also laughingly known as 'summer' here in Merrie Englande). Salt does terrible dissolving-type things to snow, ice, bikes and cars... But it's great on chips. (Whoops, sorry. Can I mention chips on a serious cycling channel? Here's another one for ya: Ready Salted Crisps! Yeah! Take that, you lithe, lightweight, lycra-clad loonies!) My duff old bike's only worth about £30, so I just slather all the moving bits in Castrol GTX (10W-40) car engine oil left over from the days a decade ago when I could still afford to run a car. "Engine oil? Horrors!" cry all the pros. "Think of the drag!" Yeah, well, I don't care about that. My bike's a tool, not a recreational vehicle or a style and efficiency statement, and I'm not worried about anything you serious rider peeps get up to. Engine oil is great for chains because it stays put and laughs at water, snow, and salty slush. It also looks claggy and dreadful once it's got some dirt and dust in it, so nobody's keen to steal My Precious when it's chained up outside Sainsbury's. It's a win-win situation. I'm going to fry some chips now. Mwuh-huh-huh... 👹

[@Aubreykun]

You can use softened beeswax to seal up the gaps between moving parts (Stem, seatpost-seat-tube interface, headset, the little holes left from welding...). As long as you make a nice fillet or overhang against the direction of water it should keep the inside nice and dry without letting drips go in places you can't oil easily. It also can look horrendous - like there's some kind of horrible mold on the bike - which should help keep thieves away.

[@manueldeubler1127]

Uff, I would not call water a catalyst in the context. It does not reduce the energy barrier of the process (that's what catalysts do). Water and the ions dissolved in it form an electrolyte that allow for the exchange of ions on the electrodes. Dr. Bridgewood must be on vacation right now.

[@andrews6228]

Your chain will rust if not oiled. Moisture in the air

[@LaurentGloaguen]

Nice infomercial.

[@christinenarcilla7833]

Nice

Need help and advice installing shimano revoshift grip shifters.... Advice about compatibility. Cheers GCN

[@AdamFavre]

Not really a robust vid. Ty for the effort.

[@nickmorgan7375]

We’re non gonna talk about how my mtb chain is completely dry.... at least my road bike is great!

[@clarencemerin5576]

Nc video😁

[@anjaymitalskiff4938]

You are the first comment

[@armadillito]

"Metals... or alloys", then later "moisture... or water". Who writes these scripts?

[@Aubreykun]

Not Ollie

[@bunnyv3032]

How to prevent discs from rust

[@markj.a351]

Please can you be more thorough in these videos instead of just holding up your sponsored product to the camera? For example you say there are thin and thicker greases and proceed to give no indication about how to identify them or where to apply them. In the old days you gave guides in your videos but now they are just short videos where you hold a product to the camera and tell us what you can potentially do with it. When you do demonstrate you have a tendancy to skip / cut the most complex parts.

[@joebloggs1804]

How to keep a bike rust free: CARBON FIBRE

[@L14mst]

Yeah no, bolts and chains will still rust. You carbon the entire bike.

[@gilakhir719]

first comment cuz i got nothing to do in life

[@amolpakhare5548]

Sassy Music💁

[@oftankoftan]

ah yes, the Global Commercial Network

[@coastaku1954]

"How to keep your bike Rust Free" It's called: Get a belt drive bike!

[@nt2883]

That doesn't help your stem bolts now does it? Lots of stuff still needs grease and other corrosion protection. It isn't just the drive train

[@coastaku1954]

@@nt2883 My what?

[@nt2883]

Do yourself a favour and make sure someone else services your bike

[@coastaku1954]

@@nt2883 okay I just looked that up, you’re over reacting there. Those tiny little bolts can be rusted out if they want to be. I’m not changing out my bars any time soon

[@coastaku1954]

@@nt2883 Oh I will, I don’t know how to fix a bike at all, that’s why I found a belt drive bike from Specialized. Smooth, high quality, bulletproof and quiet. And if something goes wrong, I’ll take it too a bike shop, I don’t need your snobby attitude

[@Biking360]

Move to Thailand

[@Mike_in_Thailand]

until the humidity of the wet season ! Did n't take long for everything to dry on my bike after this morning's wash, at 37 degrees !

[@Biking360]

@@Mike_in_Thailand It's a chilly 30C this morning in Korat. Whereabouts are you and where do you do your riding? JP

[@darkphotographer]

bike comment manufacture can start using better metals shimano ,,, ever hard of inox , or better paint ,

[@robstanley7247]

I appreciate that Muc-Off is a sponsor, but it would be nice to see you using other products in an unpaid non promotional video..

[@callumsmith338]

Why? Chances are they have bottle after bottle of the stuff around. Would you expect them to go out and buy non Muc-off stuff when they have boxes full?

[@dh7314]

I appreciate my local football team are sponsored but it would be great to see them with a different name on their shirts occassionally

[@Aubreykun]

They've shown Park chemicals before and on GMBN Tech they feature other products sometimes (Still a lot of Muc-Off of course). It helps to look at the other sections of cycling for cross-discipline tips!

[@Aubreykun]

@@callumsmith338 You do have to wonder if EVERYONE at GCN just uses Muc-Off at home, because it's 'free' for them, or if they have their favorites of a mix of brands. As with any relatively-professional network that has sponsors for most things.