Rust On Bike Cassette (Beginners Guide)
There are many ways to remove rust from your bike chain, but the best way to ensure that you don’t have problems with rust in the future is to avoid it in the first place.
If you take care of your bike correctly and perform routine maintenance, it will last much longer than it would otherwise.
Unfortunately, one area many people neglect when cleaning their bikes is the cassette.
Eliminating rust on your bike’s cassette can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know how to do it safely.
Fortunately, we have several ways to keep your drivetrain clean and prevent rust from forming on the cassette. Let’s look at some of them below!
The rust on your bike cassette may seem like an unsolvable problem, but it’s relatively easy to remove if you take the proper steps. First, spray the rusty area with WD-40, rub it with a cloth, and leave it for 10 minutes. Then, scrub the chain with a fine steel wool pad until it’s clean.
What Causes the Rust on Bike Cassettes?
- Exposure of your bike to dirt, oil, and sweat can cause surface rust on your bike cassette without regular cleaning and maintenance at your local bike shop.
- If you frequently ride in wet or humid conditions, you’re also at risk for salt contamination—another leading cause of rust on bike cassettes.
- If your bike sits without being used for extended periods, it accumulates rust on your bike cassette.
- The water entry into your bike’s drivetrain causes rust in your bike’s cassette.
How to Fix Rust on a Bike Cassette?
Removing rust from your cassette can be done in just a few simple steps.
If you are dealing with surface rust on a bike cassette, you should:
- Start by wiping excess dirt from your bike and rinsing it with water.
- Then, use a plastic brush to remove loose rust particles, vinegar or baking soda, and water to remove existing surface rust.
If your bike cassette is older and has deep rust, there are a few other options you can use to remove rust on your bike cassette.
- You can also opt for chemical rust removers. These usually come in liquid or gel form and contain strong acids capable of removing thick layers of rust from your chain.
- For more severe cases of rust, however, you may need to soak your bike in an acid bath to remove all traces of rust. If you don’t have anything more substantial around, baking soda and water can also help.
- At your local bike shop, you can find rust removal products. Specialized stores may have a cleaner specifically for your bike’s materials. Ensure to follow product instructions carefully and note any protective layers needed after cleaning. Store cassettes in a dry place away from harsh chemicals and ensure they’re clean before installing them back onto your bike frame.
If your cassette is relatively new and free of rust, applying oil will help keep it rust-free in the future.
The oil you use will depend on whether your bike cassette material is steel or another material. After cleaning and protecting your chain, spray it with water to keep it from rusting again.
How To Remove Rust From a Bicycle Cassette?
Cleaning surface rust is as simple as cleaning anything with vinegar, but getting rid of rust requires a more thorough approach.
Many people try to remove rust from bike cassettes by throwing some baking soda and rubbing them in a circular motion.
However, over time even baking soda can fail to remove more profound layers of rust; if you want to clean your cassette (and restore its finish) properly, get yourself some phosphoric acid from your local hardware store.
Apply the phosphoric acid by following these steps. Ensure you have your safety glasses and gloves on when applying this acid.
- Wipe off loose, dry dirt from your bike cassette with a lint-free cloth.
- Pour phosphoric acid onto a lint-free cloth, and apply it to your cassette. Gently rub in a circular motion for about 30 seconds. Do not scrub too hard!
- Rinse off any excess acid, and that’s it! If you want to clean your cassette without harsh chemicals, use lime juice scrub or olive oil instead—these work similarly to phosphoric acid. But if your bike cassette has gotten extremely rusty, you’ll need a more assertive approach.
You can also use a chemical rust remover like Evapo-rust. It is usually in the form of a paste and contains phosphoric acid.
Remember that it can cause irritation if it gets into your eyes, so always wear rubber gloves while applying it to your rusty bike chain.
Then just let it sit for about an hour before scrubbing off any rust with fine steel wool or a sponge.
Other methods of removing rust and preventing rust from bike cassettes include:
- Lube Chain Ride – A lubed chain will help protect your chain from rusting during rides.
- Surface Rust Chain: Remove surface rust with vinegar and water or baking soda and water.
- Vinegar Remove Rust: Use white vinegar (weak acid) to clean off any remaining residue after using the baking soda solution. The easiest way to remove rust from your bike chain is by rubbing it with a piece of fine steel wool and some lime juice scrub or vinegar.
You can also add some oil to your cleaning solution if you want to prevent future rusting.
The idea behind adding oil is that it will coat any exposed metal parts and prevent them from oxidizing or corroding.
If you don’t want to use vinegar, try mixing baking soda with water. Sprinkle baking soda on your bike chain or cassette before rinsing any dirt or grime under running tap water.
How Do You Clean a Rusty Cassette Chain?
One way to clean a rusty cassette chain is to use a chemical rust remover like Evapo-Rust or S10 WD-40. However, it would be best to first clean off as much rust as possible with sandpaper.
Once you’ve removed as much rust as possible with sandpaper, take a clean rag and dip it in a weak acid like vinegar or lemon juice.
Next, rub your chain while it’s still wet to dissolve the remaining corrosion. Repeat until you no longer see any traces of rust on your cassette chain.
You can also clean your cassette chain by immersing it in a container of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of dish soap. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes and scrub with an old toothbrush.
Rinse, dry, and lubricate it with a light oil like WD-40 to prevent rust from forming again. Cleaning your bike is easier than you think!
It’s also a good idea to clean your bike chain as soon as you notice any signs of rust. This way, you don’t have to worry about your bicycle being in rough shape for long periods.
Just remember that a rusty bike chain isn’t just an aesthetic problem. It can cause damage to other parts of your bicycle, so it pays to take care of it as soon as possible.
Conclusion
In summary, water is the primary cause of rust in your bike cassette.
Once water gets into your bike, it leads to corrosion in your bike, but the good thing about it is that there are ways to remove rust from your bike cassette, and you can prevent your cassette from rusting in the future.
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