Bikes are stolen around here often, so I thought getting one with -some- rust. But after reading here and looking inside the frame maybe it is dangerous/fragile, too much rust?
At least i guess the handles should be cleanable?. I took it to get some service for the chain and they didn’t say anything about the rest but wouldn’t be surprised they just wanted the money for the chain :/
by balthamos19
17 Comments
https://preview.redd.it/cy6qxqw16rag1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e344535d4653556c312c1723770bd2449c22648c
It missed this one
Looks safe to me.
Bit of surface patina never hurt anyone. Give it a wash, maybe swap out some of the more rusted fasteners for fresh ones and be on your way.
The only part I would really have any concern about, personally, is the rusty spoke nipples. It may be in your best interest to take a good lubricant (my shop uses TriFlow for this specific application) and just put one drop at the base of each nipple where it goes into the rim so the TriFlow can get down into the rim and keep a light layer of lubricant between the nipple and the wheel.
It may also be a good idea to go get some grease, most anything will work but we use the Park Tool green grease, and put a light application at the top of the seat tube on the bike. When you install the seatpost it will spread out and prevent the seatpost from rusting to the bike. And if you really feel like it, grab either a new seatpost clamp or a new bolt for it to prevent future issues. That looks like the rustiest fastener on there, everything else seems in good enough shape.
Overall this seems mostly cosmetic to me. Wouldn’t be concerned about it not lasting. Like I said primary concern is the spoke nipples. And all the petina will probably make your bike less likely to get stolen, as you said
It doesn’t seem dangerous, but you’ll definitely want to do something to keep the rust from spreading. And the bearings are probably all shot. New headset, wheel bearings, bottom bracket, and chain at least. I would honestly just replace the bars with some aluminum ones. They’re super cheap. I also wouldn’t be surprised if your brake and shifter cables are shot too. You bought a bike that needs a ton of work. I hope you paid less than $50 for it.
*getting* it, no – *paying* for it, yes 🙂
i strongly doubt the frame will collapse on you anytime soon… I’ve seen worse stuff getting around fine.
if you want a rust-tank that’s fine. I’d clean inside the seat tube, though.
just be mindful of its condition.
If it is surface rust it will be fine if it is deeper in the metal it might not be safe.
Just wipe every bit of rust with grease to help with a patina. It looks mainly like surface rust, but grease will help it to not grow too deeply, and to form a nice protective layer on the surface. Wax, oil etc. will do the same.
Was that bike sprayed with acid? Pulled out of a river? I’ve never seen a bike w so much rust
To help prevent rusting the inside of the bike, you can spray protectants Fluid Film or Boeshield, both of which are pretty popular among bike people because they’re more of a wax than an oil when dry. If you can’t find those, you might be able to find products like Ballistol (meant for firearms) or even WD40 (that’ll work but less waxy).
Wow.. pretty messy, but I think if you spend time you can “clean” it
u could clean up the rust with a wire brush
It’s pretty grotty, but that doesn’t mean id doesn’t work perfectly. Most of that just looks like surface cosmetic rust.
Check your spokes. Surface rust isn’t going to compromise the major infrastructure of the bike, but when they look about like this usually you’ll have some spokes that’ll need tension and I always like to give them a good scrub down with steel wool just to check for loose spokes or cracked nipples. Check and clean where the spokes go through the hub as well, look for cracks. Especially in between the holes. Have fun, good luck, get a helmet.
i dont see an issue with the rust. me myself I would make sure its mechanically sound, you want a health chain and hub, but everything else is fine.
To me this is a winter bike.
How much did you pay for it?
As a fellow rust bucket user I can assure you you’ll be just fine
https://preview.redd.it/jew5xvojprag1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=886830e0570a63f77616460b1cfdc3ae774f2327
The rear rack looks worse than any of the frame, but fortunately the rack is replaceable.