Severe Chain Rust after 4 Days!

Biomech
Biomech Posts: 158
edited January 2015 in Workshop
Any ideas why this happened so dramatically? I bought the bike new back in August, it seemed fine when I went out for a ride 4 days ago, it was wet but not raining, came back, put the bike in the garage and then today found this!

I've lubed it a few times, but surely the metal on the chain is treated as well? I've cleaned it up but it's not great.
On a similar note, I'm looking at buying a new/spare chain, sounds silly but are they different lengths or do you get a long one and cut to size? TIA

Comments

  • Omar Little
    Omar Little Posts: 2,010
    Its the salt and grit on the roads at this time of year. If the bike gets wet from road spray then you will need to wash it and lube after every ride.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    It's not severe... it's a dusting a rust.. wipe it off and lube.

    You know when there is 1 mm of snow on the ground and everybody go bonkers? Same thing...
    left the forum March 2023
  • small_bloke
    small_bloke Posts: 222
    If your riding in the wet, then you will need to use a 'wet' lube. It stays on longer and your chain won't go so rusty even after a wet ride.

    Your chain is still ok. It just needs some oil.
  • Biomech
    Biomech Posts: 158
    Do you think the rust in the second picture is ok then? I wouldn't say it was deep or anything, just looks horrible :P

    I have it hanging in the kitchen at the moment letting the lube soak in before I wipe and reapply
  • plodder73
    plodder73 Posts: 326
    I use wet lube and my chain goes rusty after a wet ride if I don't dry it and relube it.
  • plodder73
    plodder73 Posts: 326
    Biomech wrote:
    Do you think the rust in the second picture is ok then? I wouldn't say it was deep or anything, just looks horrible :P

    I have it hanging in the kitchen at the moment letting the lube soak in before I wipe and reapply


    I must admit that the chain on my Giant goes more rusty than any other chain I've had. It's the stock chain as its a new bike but it really is bad for rusting. Maybe it's just an inferior quality chain?
  • plodder73
    plodder73 Posts: 326
    On the subject of a new chain, make sure you get one with enough links, which may be more than you need and then cut to size.
  • Biomech
    Biomech Posts: 158
    Thanks for all of your replies, certainly put my mind at ease :) I've just relubed again and it's looking much nicer although there is some orange on the insides of the the links. I'll go on the hunt for a spare chain now as well :)
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Chains are made of steel, steel rust is there is a lack of lubricant. Avois those spray lubs. Use an MTB lube at this time of year. My favourite is Rock n roll gold or the cheaper blue. Red for dryier weather.

    I have an expanive campagnolo that I forgot lube and you what it is made of steel and rust appeared.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Biomech wrote:
    I have it hanging in the kitchen at the moment letting the lube soak in before I wipe and reapply

    Just so you know - lube will not 'soak in' to metal - metal is non-absorbent. Might save you time in future, if you are waiting for things to 'soak in'...
  • Biomech
    Biomech Posts: 158
    Yeah you know what I mean, "soak" into the cracks and gaps etc, not the metal itself :)
  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    Upgrade to a KMC X9-L Silver http://www.kmcchain.eu/products-multipl ... derailleur
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-x9-l-silver-9-speed-chain/
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    thecycleclinic wrote:
    Chains are made of steel, steel rust is there is a lack of lubricant. Avois those spray lubs. Use an MTB lube at this time of year. My favourite is Rock n roll gold or the cheaper blue. Red for dryier weather.

    The Rock n Roll chain lubes are excellent. They clean and lube at the same time, don't attract dirt and resist water really well, especially the blue version. I use the gold version for the summer months.
    N
    N+1
  • Biomech
    Biomech Posts: 158
    I use GT85 spray - what are your thoughts on that?

    I spray into the rear set and a bit on the chain, but then spray into a cloth and run the chain through it

    Any thoughts on this:
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/muc-off-wet-lube-50ml/

    I only ask as I have to order more CO2 cartridges and I'm 50p off the free delivery :P
  • Ouija
    Ouija Posts: 1,386
    GT85 is not a lubricant (just the opposite, it'll remove a lot of oil from the chain). It's main purpose is as a water displacer and anti corrosion coating in a penetrating spray (thin enough to get in the narrower places). But at no point does it lubricate the chain.

    By all means, use it to displace the water after a wet ride and then immediately clean it off with a rag and put some actual oil on the chain.
  • mercia_man
    mercia_man Posts: 1,431
    GT85 is not a chain lube. No wonder chain went rusty. It's like WD40 - a multi-purpose penetrating product suitable for pivots of derailleurs and wiping over metal bits like spokes to protect them. I found Muc Off Wet a bit dirty to use and tends to get flung off the chain onto the rest of the bike. I've always had good results with Finish Line Cross Country Wet. It stays on the chain pretty well, lasts a long time and is widely available. Ideal for commuting and touring in all weathers.
  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    I have ordered a bottle of this to try as a few people on here recommend it.
    http://bikes.progoldmfr.com/products/
  • Biomech
    Biomech Posts: 158
    Thanks for the info on GT85 - but it does say "lubricant"?
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt85-lubricant-400ml-aerosol/
  • mercia_man
    mercia_man Posts: 1,431
    Yes it says "lubricant" but it's not a chain lube. It's not thick enough to stay put and washes away with the slightest hint of rain. It's good for spraying into seized locks and rusted parts, for displacing water and to wipe over your bike to make it look smart and have a protective coating. Its best use for chains is to spray some on a rag and then wipe it all over the chain to remove dirt and old oil. Then run the chain through a clean rag to remove the dirty GT85 residue before lubing each roller of the chain with a drop of thicker chain oil.
  • Ouija
    Ouija Posts: 1,386
    Biomech wrote:
    Thanks for the info on GT85 - but it does say "lubricant"?
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt85-lubricant-400ml-aerosol/

    It also says "anywhere that non-sticky lubrication is required."

    I think you'll find that chains require their lubrication to stick around and not evaporate after a few hours.

    Technically, water is also a lubricant but you wouldn't want to use it on chains any more than GT85 or WD40 (didn't stop some idiots inventing a water based auto chain lubricating system that required a bottle of water to be mounted on your frame and then squirted on the chain as you rode along).
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    Ouija wrote:
    (didn't stop some idiots inventing a water based auto chain lubricating system that required a bottle of water to be mounted on your frame and then squirted on the chain as you rode along).

    Hahaha. I remember that invention. It really was bloody stupid.
    N
    N+1
  • Biomech
    Biomech Posts: 158
    Ah excellent, well thank you very much I've learnt a lot about the old bike this week :)

    Any recommendations on chain lube that's available on wiggle? (just as I'm getting other things anyway), they don't seem to stock the Rock n Roll that others mentioned on Page 1

    TIA
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    GT85 is perfectly adequate as a chainlube and nothing bad will happen if you use it. It's just mineral oil & PTFE in a carrier solvent (the solvent evapourates - not the lube). Ideal as a maintenance spray - ok as a chain lube, if you don't mind re-applying it regularly. I tend to prefer dry lubes in general, but I've been using GT fairly regularly on my chains on & off for years (particularly dry weather crits) with no issue at all.
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    Biomech wrote:
    Ah excellent, well thank you very much I've learnt a lot about the old bike this week :)

    Any recommendations on chain lube that's available on wiggle? (just as I'm getting other things anyway), they don't seem to stock the Rock n Roll that others mentioned on Page 1

    TIA

    I've not used it myself, but I've heard really good things about the Purple Extreme Synthetic.
    N
    N+1

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