We have all been there, that moment when you forgot to check the weather forecast and it starts to rain. Since you leave it outside, you’re concerned whether this would have an impact on the condition of your bike. If so to what extent? it should be pointed out, leaving your bike in the rain should be the last resort if you have run out of options since you leaving your bike in vulnerable manner. 

In this article, we’ll explore the effect of leaving your bike in wet condition and what to do once it starts raining.

Is it ok to keep the bike in the rain

Yes, it is possible to leave your bike in the rain but, it is not recommended to do especially on a daily basis. By doing so, you will likely reduce performance and cause permanent damage to the damage which shortens its life. To prevent this, make sure to regularly clean the bike in order to work efficiently.

How long can I leave a bike in the rain?

Firstly, it ultimately depends on the intensity of the rain as well as how long it is outside. if it rains but it’s only a drizzle then it shouldn’t be a major problem.

Seeing that small drops of rain won’t contribute to any damage. Yet, heavy showers of rain are not advisable to keep outside – if a bike is left soaked in the rain then
Consider using a waterproof cover.

Secondly, how long is it outside for? In general, rain on any bike will not have an immediate effect on the bike. However, prolonged exposure to the rain will significantly damage every component of the bike, especially if left unprotected.

Duration

Since, the rain itself does not cause damage nevertheless the mud, dirt and grime that gathers and accumulates whilst in contact with the bike when it rains will deteriorate the functionality of the bike.

Are bikes ‘waterproof’?

The key distinction here is that most bikes are designed to be water resistant but NOT WATERPROOF. This means you won’t have an issue riding your bike in the rain for a while, provided that you keep up the ongoing maintenance.

On the contrary, e-bikes or electric bikes can get wet, as they are designed intended to be used in wet conditions. However, due to the electric component fitted inside an electric bike, I would advise against leaving your bike in the rain. Likewise, the electric component requires an IP rating established for your water-resistant devices.

To guarantee the good condition of my bike, i personally use Mud off bike protect . This spray is suitable for any bike and removes any moisture to help protect against rust and corrosion.

It is safe to use on your bike frame, metal and rubber paints. Despise that, do not use it on disc brakes!
What happens if you leave a bike in the rain?

Here are the top 5 key major issues when a bike is in the rain.

Moving components become less efficient (Bike drivetrain)

The ‘drivetrain’ of a bike includes pedals, chains, cassettes and derailleur. When rain occurs, the drivetrain will likely pick up mud and dirt. Once this happens, they become less efficient due to the added friction.

Since the drivetrain is the most sensitive part of any bike, it is a great practice to keep up top of maintenance as the bike chain works best when properly lubricated and clean

The long effect of rain on the bike is the bike chain will begin to rust.

Brakes will become less effective

Another component of the bike you should avoid getting wet are the brakes. Bear in mind, the brakes work by pressing the brakes pad against the wheel. Once wet, the rim will interfere with the braking system creating more friction. Therefore the brakes will not work as it should.

This is an extensive issue for bikes with rim brakes. However those with disc brakes, it shouldn’t be as concerned since it is harder for water to get through.

Harm to Electronic devices

Although most manufacturers make electronic devices with water resistance compatibilities in mind, they’re only waterproof, to a certain degree. Despite that, the lights and computers on your bike are not intended to withstand deluge amounts of rain forever.

Thereby, any Bike computers, lights GPS or other electronic devices attached to the bike could get damaged.

This resolves, the search for the ingress protection (IP) rating. This will determine how water-resistant your bike’s electronics are.

Unfortunately, many manufacturers don’t display their ingress protection score which means you must come to your conclusion on whether it is suitable or not.

The saddle seat will wear out

As most saddle seats are made of leather, you should be fine in general. However, without any waterproof cover, you’ll be left sitting on a soaked bike seat which is uncomfortable to ride on.

You get a plastic bag and wrap it around the seat, but this might take a while to do. To not waste time, use a Waterproof Seat Cover. It is really cheap and an easy fix to any possible damage in the future.

The bike frame will corrode

After prolonged exposure to rain, you should notice how unpleasant your bike looks aesthetically. This is because the paint starts to wear off caused by corrosion. Additionally, Rust will weaken the bike frame and very soon it will begin to break. This can occur regardless of the type of bike frame you have but high quality a bike is, the more rust-resistant it is.

Will the rain ruin my bike?

Although the rain itself does’nt directly affect the condition of a bike; it does contribute by accelerating the rate of corrosion. Once a bike is exposed moisture, oxidation occurs which begins the process of wear and corrosion. Nonetheless, this only occurs if your bike is left untreated. To avoid this, frequently lubricate the bike will help prevent any further damage.

5 Tips to protect your bike in the Rain

Once it starts raining, here are a few things you need to do to ensure is well protected.

Take it inside
Consider taking it inside or under the shelter which assures the bike remains in dry condition.

Choice of chain lubricant
It is important you keep lubricating your bike especially the drivetrain of the bike. This will prevent any rust from occuring which will boost the bike’s life.

Mud Off offers bike chain lube specifically for wet conditions. Which you can apply on the bike even in wet conditions. Depending on how offers you ride, it is recommend to lube your bike chain once a week.

Check brakes

Before the start of any ride, double check your brakes are working properly. If it starts making noise, it could be due to a build of rust between the brakes.

Cover it up
You should always make an outdoor shed to protect your bike from any bad weather. Otherwise, the Yardstash bike shed which is easy to assemble, can be built in 10 minutes! Without tools.

Routine maintenance
Regularly inspect the condition of the bike, providing that it is well maintained then you shouldn’t have any problems.

Final thoughts

Although bikes are designed to tackle most weather conditions, you must regularly keep on top of maintenance. Finally, if you leave your bike in the rain on a regular basis, only inspect the bike for any possible wear or damage.