Steel - scratches/rusting

[warneral]

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

[lunacycles]

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.

[Biciclista]

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??

[warneral]

Nah just paranoid

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

[Bike Chick]

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.

[Chicken Little]

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.

[ScaldedCat]

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.

[warneral]

Just a lil update 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!!

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

[OakLeaf]

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

[Bike Writer]

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!

sweet!