Protect frame bearings from road salt

[steevwatson]

I've been using my old handrail emtb to commute to work but it has been stolen. I need to cycle to work for the next couple of months on my Orbea rise. Is there anything I can do to protect the linkage and bearings etc from road salt over the winter. I've got a decent fenders so they cute down the spray a bit. Would it be worth taking the linkage apart and putting some grease on the outside of the bearings to keep as much water out as possible? I also have come Muc off HCB-1 where do you recommend I spray it? I will be replacing all the bearings in spring and I have an old drivetrain on that will probably be toast after the winter anyway but I'll keep it cleaned and wet lubed. What are your thoughts?

 

[Alfmeister]

Maybe use rust blocker XCP Professional, as used on motorcycles and found it to be very good. The main thing is to hose off the salt with cold water, and dry the bike. It’s a little like ACF50, but not as messy. Obviously don’t get it on tyres, brakes, hand grips and peddles.

 

[steve_sordy]

A daily rinse should do the job. I wouldn't bother drying with anything special like a hairdrier; just bounce the bike and then wipe over with an old towel

 

[The EMF]

The only thing I would add Steve was to rinse the bike in cold water so as not to melt the salt particles ….

 

[Mikerb]

I have never had to service/replace frame bearings on any of my bikes despite riding through English winters. The bearings are sealed so the issue is what is likely to push past those seals, and in my experience it is the gap created by the spacers that are the weak points.
After every ride , even if after a summer ride the bike is not really dirty, and certainly if the bike is plastered I make sure the pivot bearing areas are cleaned.
All it takes is a reasonably stiff brush firstly to remove mud/ dust etc, then I use a pipe cleaner to wipe all around the spacer area. I then drip some chain lube ( wet lube) onto the spacer area and leave for a few minutes then wipe around again with a clean pipe cleaner. In my opinion use of any water is counter productive. If muddy, the water will create a thin silt and subsequent suspension movement will force that against the bearing seal.
(p.s. I do not use "free" water to clean anything on the bike except the wheels when removed from the bike. On the frame etc I just use a brush and damp cloth and a towel, then silicone shine.)

 

[The EMF]

Pipe cleaners…….wow!

 

[Tuttio]

I've been using my old handrail emtb to commute to work but it has been stolen. I need to cycle to work for the next couple of months on my Orbea rise. Is there anything I can do to protect the linkage and bearings etc from road salt over the winter. I've got a decent fenders so they cute down the spray a bit. Would it be worth taking the linkage apart and putting some grease on the outside of the bearings to keep as much water out as possible? I also have come Muc off HCB-1 where do you recommend I spray it? I will be replacing all the bearings in spring and I have an old drivetrain on that will probably be toast after the winter anyway but I'll keep it cleaned and wet lubed. What are your thoughts?

Yeah, taking the linkage apart and packing some extra grease around the outside of the bearings is a decent shout. It won't make it totally waterproof, but it'll definitely help create a barrier against that salty spray. Just make sure you use a good quality, water-resistant grease. Don't go mad with it, though. A thin layer around the seals is what you're aiming for, not to get the grease into the bearings themselves. The goal is to add an extra layer on the outside of the bearings to prevent water getting in, don't put grease on the inside. A water-resistant grease, like marine grease, is a good choice for this. Also, it's worth noting that over-tightening the linkage bolts can damage the bearings, so make sure you use a torque wrench and the manufacturer's recommended settings.

 

[Mikerb]

Yeah, taking the linkage apart and packing some extra grease around the outside of the bearings is a decent shout. It won't make it totally waterproof, but it'll definitely help create a barrier against that salty spray. Just make sure you use a good quality, water-resistant grease. Don't go mad with it, though. A thin layer around the seals is what you're aiming for, not to get the grease into the bearings themselves. The goal is to add an extra layer on the outside of the bearings to prevent water getting in, don't put grease on the inside. A water-resistant grease, like marine grease, is a good choice for this. Also, it's worth noting that over-tightening the linkage bolts can damage the bearings, so make sure you use a torque wrench and the manufacturer's recommended settings.

I would have thought the pivot bolt head provides a decent seal and the thread should be locktited so I see no benefit in removing the bolt to put grease behind the head. My cleaning process deals with area where water etc can get into the fixing and that is the spacer area. Packing a little grease there will however do no harm except is does mean thoroughly cleaning dried thread lock off the bolt thread, applying fresh thread lock and leaving the bike undisturbed for 24 hours to let that set.