Hello all. We have just traveled for two day with a Vendetta and an Encore on the rear of our car. Conditions were terrible, with salty slush freezing up onto the bikes. We have wiped them as clean as one can get them in a hotel. What should we do when we get somewhere with a hose and better ways to clean? Thanks.
Yuck road salt is the worst; that stuff will percolate into all sorts of bad spaces; If you can keep the bike cold < 10F the salt effect stays much more neutral.
If you are still on the road you need to chemically neutralize the salt without spending a fortune.
- Get to a store and buy a gallon of vinegar, a spray bottle, and some tooth brushes.
- Mix the vingear 2 parts to 1 part water.
- Spray down cassette; rings; bb and everything you can gets a; scrub clean with tooth brushes
- Flush with water and air dry
- Don't over look the handle-bar clap
When you get home; I would tear down the mechanicals and clean the entire bike, re-grease and reassemble.
This assume you don't usually ride in grimy weather and you want to keep the bike nice.
If the Chain was on the bike; throw it away and buy a new one.
