I have an old Raleigh mixte frame I use as a road bike. I have no idea how old it is because it has a weird number (2KN1926). I commuted via bicycle (up to 10 miles daily!) through Philadelphia proper for >10 years. We've been in three car accidents, and my bike has held up better than I have. I love this bike, but I am very ashamed to say I put it in storage dirty when I moved to Florida and it's in high need of TLC. It was in need of TLC before that, because I don't think I've taken it to the community bike shop since 2019. I road it hard during the pandemic.
So two questions. One, any idea what I can do from the rusted road rash on the frame? Two, does my front derailleur need replaced? It's worn down from abuse.
by GARBAGE_D0G
7 Comments
If you want to see my shame, I’ve included more photos. I am going to use UBI’s checklist as a starting point. The cassette.
https://preview.redd.it/gzowk4s7nu1d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=73cdf1cfab4dcd15a2c309fe95addbb93d357b83
https://preview.redd.it/b01mg4khnu1d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=659ea9dceeb24ff495617a9f39acb6c76e6c19fb
https://preview.redd.it/28j4oahpnu1d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e4624b8034fa4afe7d1c97941684a61616f6050
If you want it to stop rusting, sand it (or use some rust remover) and paint it.
Similar if you want it to look good, only a lot more sanding and painting multiple layers involved.
If the front derailleur still does it’s job I would keep it – but then, a new used one is like what, 10 bucks?
For your frame you could use some rust-stop, most car-parts shops have that stuff, it chemically converts rust into a hard layer that will not rust anymore. Or repaint your frame, but that is a lot of work, with all the sanding.
The derailleur is different, it’s chrome plated. If the chrome layer is thin, you start to see surface rust after a few years, like you have. You could polish it and give it a protective layer like a clear-coat or some oil. I’m not sure the rust-stop will work there.
You should check important parts of your frame for real rust damage (bubbling paint, holes), like around your bottom bracket. That’s where rust really can do a job on your frame and eat it’s way through the iron, making a bike dangerous.
As far as the front derailleur goes, it would work much better if it was correctly adjusted, starting with the mounting height. Right now, it’s far too high. The outer cage plate should clear the chainring by no more than 3mm.
0000 steel wool and wd40