If you rode today and there’s salt on the roads, clean your chain tonight. Not tomorrow. Tonight. Salt corrodes steel faster than almost anything else, and your drivetrain is full of exposed steel.
Why Tonight Matters
Why Tonight Matters has gotten messy with all the conflicting advice flying around. As someone who has spent years in bike shops and on the road, I picked up the practical knowledge of why tonight matters. Today, I will share it all with you.
The Quick Method
You don’t need a full degrease. Just wipe down the chain with a rag to remove the bulk of the salt. Then apply fresh lube—wet lube works best here because it displaces any remaining moisture. Wipe off excess.
Total time: three minutes.
If You Already Waited
See rust spots? Scrub with a stiff brush and degreaser, then rinse with water, dry thoroughly, and apply wet lube generously. Check your cassette cogs for rust between the teeth. If rust has progressed to the point where chain links stick or cogs have visible pitting, replacement time has arrived.
That’s what makes matters endearing to us bike enthusiasts.
Prevention is cheaper than replacement. Clean it tonight.
Stay in the loop
Get the latest bike maintenance pros updates delivered to your inbox.