Steel - scratches/rusting

So I've been reading so much about the love of steel here. I recently tested out 2 carbon fiber bikes but am not sure what I think about it. I love the nostalgia that steel gives.

For example - I cook in cast iron. I cloth diapered my babies, etc. I love stepping back in time with simple little choices and a steel bike gives me that same feeling.

I test rode a bike that I truly fell in love with. I rode about 20min on it and it sung to me for sure. It is even the perfect color scheme for me. Medium metallic olive with hot pink accents. Hand built by Independent Fabrication! I think it fits but I have a hard time knowing what "fits".

So I had a thought. The carbon fiber dealers told me that steel can rust. I've already had some paint chips on my bike for various reasons (getting on the car rack, etc). Would a steel frame rust if the paint were to chip? They did say the frame has a lifetime warranty but I don't know what it would cover.

The components were campy chorus and the wheels were campy proton. It is a sweet bike!

If the paint's scratched and it's damp or you leave it outside in the weather, it can rust. My LBS suggested covering small chips and scratches with nail polish (either clear or a matching color) or model paint to protect the metal.

It's also a good idea to wax a steel bike with car wax as a preventative measure.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Here is a picture of the color I was talking about
http://www.ifrider.com/club-racer-in-split-pea-pearl/

I also found a maintenance page that gives instructions for keeping the seat tube dry/sealed/protected.

Sounds like a bit of work but I suppose I'm willing to do special things for my cast iron skillets so this is no different :)

Oh, that's pretty! It sounds like the perfect bike for you. That bike looks like a Sweet-pea for sure!

My steel bike is an '85, and has no rust. Rides like a dream on a cloud. I also have an Alu/carbon bike that I love just as much. I feel a little different on each bike. They have personalities. That bike definitely does, too. It looks like it wants to be friends. ;)

You need to keep the seat tube dry regardless of the material - the point is to keep water out of your bottom bracket.

I suppose cromoly steel would rust if you really abused it - it doesn't have as much chromium as stainless - but it's not a cast iron skillet or a carbon steel knife. I've had chips in steel frames that I haven't been super careful of, but I've never had rust [touch wood].

I think if a bike sings to you, that's as good a definition of "it fits" as anything. ;)

My steel bikes get their scratches touched up with a tiny brush and nail polish or model paint. They also get treated inside with Weigle's Framesaver and a coat of car wax outside about every other year.

I have ridden steels bikes for 42 years. I have yet to have one rust. Of course I don't leave my bikes outside in the weather and I make sure they are properly cleaned and waxed. If the bike does scratch and rust, it is easily repaired unlike carbon which can crack... carbon was the material to buy, now not so much and people are moving back to steel (which I always loved). Carbon sellers will say whatever it takes to keep a customer.

Just got my new steel Landshark. It's beautiful, lightweight and responsive. It's built to last a lifetime with proper care. I think it smart to consider steel. An IF bike is a good choice.

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Originally Posted by warneral

The carbon fiber dealers told me that steel can rust.

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How surprising that carbon fiber dealers would say such a thing! lol! :rolleyes:
Did they also mention that carbon can crack, or that prolonged exposure to the sun can weaken carbon frames too? lol!
Yes steel bikes can get rusty if you leave them out in the rain or seaspray a lot.

ALL bikes last a lot longer if stored inside at night and in winter and kept relatively clean and dry and cared for. :)

If you keep your steel bike protected from the elements while stored, and patch tiny nicks with paint touchup or even clear nail polish, there shouldn't be a problem. Steel bikes last for many many years if given normal common sense care.

Thanks Lisa. BTW I've checked your blog and love your interests :) Banjo playing would be so fun!!

Yes, steel rusts, as aluminum corrodes (and fatigues/fails much faster than steel), and carbon fiber becomes very vulnerable to collapse if a scratch goes through the clearcoat into the carbon weave.

But steel rusting through? Causing an issue that would make you concerned about the integrity of the frame? That would take a LOT of effort, like leaving it submerged in salt water for a few months.

Seriously, you might develop surface rust, inside the tubes or if a scratch were to go through the paint, but it is nothing to worry about. You can put an internal rust protectant on a steel frame, which is not a bad idea (google "frame saver"), as condensation collecting inside the tubes is much more of an issue than surface rust forming around a scratch or bare ding on the outside surface. If it's on the outside, just rub the affected area with a little wd40 (= rust gone!), then put some touch up paint (or nail polish, in a pinch) on it.

It's such a non-issue, though. Seriously.

I can't imagine someone buying an I.F. bike and then mistreating it to the point of it rusting and becoming unrideable. We're talking about a wonderful bike here. you're not going to leave it outside all winter long are you??

Nah just paranoid :D

I will first need to do some major selling if I can afford it. But it's been in the shop since last winter so I'll try to sell of some stuff (high end embroidery machine, etc) and if it is still there - it will be meant to be. And if not there are other steel fishies in the sea :D

If she's singing to you, you need to listen!!! She's an awful sweet bike and you will love the ride of steel.

BTW, what kind of embroidery machine do you have? I might be able to help you out on that sale. Send me an IM.

I did one 20 mile ride on a steel bike last week. I will never throw my leg over anything else again. I will sell the house, the car, the computer, whatever it takes to ride steel. Take care of it and it will last your lifetime.

My steel (Reynolds 631) Bob Jackson that I built up myself I treated internally with Framesaver, the outside gets a coat of wax periodically, I keep the seatpost well greased and fill the groove at the back of the seat tube/clamp area with grease to help stop water getting in there.
The bottom bracket is a Cinelli spoiler so has cut-outs that allow water to drain that way.
The bike is stored in the house and I leather it off if I come back from a ride wet. It also has guards fitted of course, as much to keep the bike clean as to keep me clean.

Having said all that I don't know of anyone who has had a reasonably well cared for steel frame fail due to rust. It helps to cover any paint chips with something like clear nail polish. I love good carbon and alu frames but I would expect to get through several of either in the lifetime of the steel frame.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...IMGP0515-1.jpg

The same sentence that Lisa quoted is the same one that jumped out at me. Of course Carbon dealers are going to tell you that...

Anyway, my lbs will never ever sell me something I don't need. I asked about steel and rusting and he told me that it would probably take something like 50 years for a frame to rust to where I couldn't ride it if I didn't take good care of it, and was I going to keep it that long? He didn't even recommend frame saver since he didn't think it would "save" something that didn't need saving, but that's him. It couldn't hurt.

Going on 3 years with my Surly, not a spec of rust anywhere.

Just a lil update :D My dh finally broke down today. I'd been working LOTS of extra hours lately and I hinted how bad I wanted it. So today he went to the LBS and told them how much he wanted to pay. I didn't even know he was doing it and it is totally out of character. So guess who is getting a steel Indy Fab bike with Campy Chorus components? They're switching out the double for a compact and it should be ready mid-week!! :D

ETA expect a new thread with pics when my new baby comes home!

Wow! How exciting, and how sweet of your DH!

Lucky you! You're going to love it! You should have them treat with Framesaver now while they're putting it together.

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Originally Posted by warneral

just a lil update :d my dh finally broke down today. I'd been working lots of extra hours lately and i hinted how bad i wanted it. So today he went to the lbs and told them how much he wanted to pay. I didn't even know he was doing it and it is totally out of character. So guess who is getting a steel indy fab bike with campy chorus components? They're switching out the double for a compact and it should be ready mid-week!! :d

eta expect a new thread with pics when my new baby comes home!

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sweet!