Looking to buy a bike..pictures look great, but the bike has an extremely rusty chain. Is this anything meaningful or simply just replace the chain and call it a day? New to road biking.
by bmungenast
Looking to buy a bike..pictures look great, but the bike has an extremely rusty chain. Is this anything meaningful or simply just replace the chain and call it a day? New to road biking.
by bmungenast
23 Comments
Means it’s been sitting outside in the weather. I’d personally pass on it if brake lines need replacing too.
Replace the chain straightaway. Nothing to talk about. Don’t spend a single drop of oil in that, save it for the next chain.
Replacing the chain is totally fine and I wouldn’t personally try to relube/revive that chain.
On a more important note, this generation of trek carbon frames have BB bearings that will wear out the cups in the frame. You then have to buy a specific trek oversized bearing when the stock ones no longer stay in (you can literally slide them in and out), but once the oversized bearings have the same problem, you have to go to a trek shop and have them repair the BB with a very specific drill procedure, adhesive and replacement cup which is very expensive.
Not saying this is not worth the money but just something to be aware of.
If the chain is this rusty, I would be worried about everything on the inside of the bike you can’t see. Bottom bracket and headset bearings are probably rusted out or have no grease left in them. The cable guides might be rusted. The derailer bearings would also concern me.
It’s a sign that the bike has been sitting outside. It also looks like the front tire is kinda fucked up. I’d be pretty skeptical about buying this bike. Plan to put a couple hundred bucks into it right away to get it safe and working well. Negotiate with the seller accordingly.
The paint looks mint, no visible sun damage, and that’s a good thing. On the other side, a chain so rusted and stuck means no use for a long time. Also, who takes photo of a bike that wants to sell without even pumping the tires? Looks lazy and so probabily is the owner. I would buy it if it’s a bargain, but i’ll disassemble it and check everything that has to be replaced before going on a proper ride.
If the chain looks like that, then every pivot, cable, and bearing (especially the BB90 bottom bracket) are probably also very crunchy. Would rather pass or at least use those all as very strong negotiating points. It’s gonna need some real attention to work well.
If it’s a Domane it also has bearings in the seat/top tube junction which should be checked out.
Assuming that the chain is still good
Remove the chain with a chain tool.
Then soak it in a pan filled with diesel just enough to submerge the chains overnight.
Then clean and brush it with petrol/gasoline or if you have some paint thinner also works ( do mind the smell and the splash, it will stain your clothes)
Then relube it.( this is very important )
Replace that chain, they’re not that expensive
Not only is the chaik rusty as fuck (how do you even get to that point) but the tires look deformed too. It seems like this bike was left outside in the rain for a loooooooooooooong time. Don‘t buy this garbage
100% depends on pricing? 10% of brand new price? Great. 90%? Really bad. In between you’ll have to go and check it to be sure.
Probably all the bearings have rust. Even if it looks great I’d pass on it. Replacing a chain is very easy and the fact the it’s so rusted is a pretty good indicator of the kind of care this bike has received.
The problem is if someone doesn’t even bother to maintain the chain you can be sure they also haven’t maintained anything else so I’d rather pass on a bike like this.
OP, take all of these replies (including mine) with a grain of salt.
Comments telling you not to buy the bike because of the tires are just plain weird; I wouldn’t trust anyone giving you that opinion. That front tire being “deformed” is almost certainly because it’s flat.
Yes, the chain being that rusty means that it probably was stored long term either outside or in an area that wasn’t climate controlled. There’s also likely going to have at least surface rust on other areas with steel. In fact, I think I see some rust peeking out at the top of your front derailleur.
But don’t avoid the bike soley because of a couple of rusty spots. Whether you should buy the bike depends on the condition as a whole, how much it’ll cost to replace what’s needed, and the price you’ll pay to buy the bike.
Buncha worrywarts here. Rusty chains aren’t a big deal, it doesn’t immediately mean that all the bearings (which are all sealed cartridge units, protected from the elements) are rusty. The bike was probably stored in a garage or porch, possibly near salt or chlorine (near the ocean or next to some pool chemicals).
If it’s a good deal, buy it. My guess is that, in the worst case, you replace the chain, cables and housing, which is no big deal at all.
Replace chain and cassette at same time – unless almost new, they wear in pairs.
Been left outside. Frame looks alu, so it hasnt perished in comparison to steel chain. But hard pass, on bike from someone who keep bike under cloud.
Depends on the asking price
If it’s only the chain and you get a great price (maybe the seller thinks a rusty chain is major damage) it can be a good deal.
If it’s not just the chain but also cassette, bearings, tyres, bar tape, brifter hoods, cables and brake pads you’ll have to invest 100 to 200€ in components to get it into good condition again. Probably the same cost for labor on top if you have a bike shop do it.
The chain itself could be fine. I’d measure wear, then clean and lube it if it’s not even close to 0.5% wear (would be a shame to throw away).
I would guess $250 in parts to get it running good again.
lube it up and send it… Loosen any tight links and ride it a little, clean the chain and lube it again… It very well may be fine.
It’s obviously been outdoors, but you can tackle Maintenance projects like greasing the head bearings or replacing the cables as you go. It really depends on how cheap it is.
Hmmm, it’s been sitting outside in wet conditions, which could mean more hidden rust than the obvious rust on the chain.
Avoid. Its been kept outside. Lord knows what else will be wrong with it.