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Just wheeled the ebike out to give it a check over as it's not been used since November (Gravel bike has been out instead). Spesh Turbo levo SL. It was given a good clean before it's winter hibernation, however.....
Chain looks a bit rusty, and the brake discs have a bit of corrosion.
So these will be replaced, anything else on the bike I'll need to check over?
Battery was left at 50% and is currently charging.
I wouldn't even replace the chain or rotors, lube the chain and using the brakes will clear any surface corrosion. Apart from that pump the tyres up and you're probably good to go
Oil chain and ride. The discs will probably clean up after one descent.
What dc1988 said.
What they all said!
So these will be replaced
Why?
It's easy enough to get rid of surface rust on the chain with (not too aggressive) a steel brush or scourer. Just take it off first of course.
🤣🤣🤣 cheers for the advice. Ok, I'll keep the rotors but for piece of mind I'll do the chain.
So these will be replaced, anything else on the bike I’ll need to check over?
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The tyre pressures. And the flux capacitor obviously. Hope it's still under warranty...
I'd just check the chain with a chain wear gauge thing and, as long as it's in tolerance, give it a quick brush and some lube.
My chain is rusty 9/10 times I get it out of the shed (weekly basis). Discs probably are too
Oil it, ride it
Lube chain, charge battery and go ride it...the brakes will sharpen up after the first dozen pulls.
On a Levo SL the button battery (#EDIT: cr1620 and stores the bluetooth settings etc) will fail at some point and generate an error mid ride that will ruin your day / weekend as it shuts the tcu down. 99p preventative fix. As I've learned the hard way. You will need plastic tweezers, or insulating tape on normal tweezers to get the thing out.
Otherwise: just use it! The brake rust will rub off.
"What are we thinking could happen if you leave a bit of rust on a chain?"
He might get catapulted off the bike and straight into a tree surgeons working wood chipper.... you gotta think through all the possible eventualities...
What are we thinking could happen if you leave a bit of rust on a chain?
Cause rapid wear, as obviously rust is far more abrasive than riding through some mud...🙄
Cause rapid wear, as obviously rust is far more abrasive than riding through some mud…
Is it? Depends what's in your mud. Plenty of it is harder than basic iron oxide, the softest particles are about the same.
OP, if the chain's dry (it probably is if it's rusty) give it a good brush with an old nail brush or tooth brush, top and bottom, run it through a rag, squirt with an airline if you have a compressor, get as much as you can, because while it's dry, it's loose, as soon as you get lube on, it'll stick.
Cause rapid wear, as obviously rust is far more abrasive than riding through some mud
OK, so most rust on refined steel will be on the harder end of muds you might ride in.
I just run the chain through an oily rage if it's got surface rust.
Can usually tell by the sound it makes if there's any rust inside (or if it needs a *serious* oiling/waxing).
Used my ebike for the first time since October earlier this month and just pumped up the tyres and charged the battery, bikes are pretty resilient, just look at any bike rack outside tescos or the likes 😂
I just run the chain through an oily rage if it’s got surface rust.
You need to relax. Getting upset won't help your chain.
The whole bike is scrap I'm afraid.
Seriously, just lube the chain and ride it. It'll be absolutely fine.
Everyone is missing the obvious point, which is that you should oil the chain and go for a ride.
So just to confirm, I can just oil the chain? And then go for a ride.
Yes, or you can oil the chain then go back inside and spend several hours on internet forums arguing about how often chains should be replaced. Or not oil the chain and stay inside on internet forums arguing about whether it's necessary to oil chains if you don't ride the bike.
If you change the chain, unless it's brand new or very low miles, you'll almost certainly get some skipping with the cassette.
Just slap some oil on, rub with a rag and go play on your bike. As has been suggested above.
Ebike not touched since November
Long may it stay like that 😉
Maybe also check caliper pistons are moving equally too.
Given it has been a few days since you posted this - assuming you have now ridden it - how was it?
Where do you keep your bikes so that the chain and discs can corrode in this somewhat short period of time?