Bike Frames

Frame Care Nothing could be easier than caring for your bike frame. A simple cleaning after each ride and a check for nicks and general damage is all it needs. Inspect your bike during cleaning or after a hard crash Repair nicks and scratches. Ask a professional mechanic to inspect your bike if you suspect frame damage has occurred.

Cleaning Your Frame

To keep your frame in good shape, wash or wipe it down frequently. If the dirt on your frame is dry, wipe it off with a clean rag or soft brush. If it's wet, use a sponge and soapy water (or a solution of diluted ammonia and water). As much as possible, keep water away from your bike's bearing systems—the headset, bottom bracket, wheel axles and pedals. Apply a layer of bike or car wax to the painted portions of your frame every six months or so. Wax makes it harder for dirt and mud to stick to your frame, and makes subsequent cleanings easier.

Checking for Nicks and Corrosion

Through normal use, rocks, sticks and other debris can damage the paint on a bike and leave it susceptible to rust. Rust is not your friend and you should take steps to fix the damage. Minor scrapes and dings have almost no effect on riding performance. Over time, however, they expose your bike to the threat of rust and corrosion. The best way to avoid corrosive damage to your bike frame is to keep it clean and dry. To repair scratch damage, simply paint over it with durable touch-up paint every six months or so. Touch-up paint is available from most bicycle manufacturers, auto dealers and some full-service bike shops. Each time you wash your bike, scan your frame for any areas where the frame metal has been exposed by wear or damage.

Checking for Dents, Cracks and Other Damage

After a hard crash the frame could be dented, bulged, wrinkled, cracked or damaged structurally in some other way. Bike frames can also become fatigued through years and years of continued use. Cracks and fatigue are most likely to occur where the tubes join. Check all around the tubes, especially at the welds. Areas most likely to suffer damage are the top tube, the down tube and the seatpost. Check these frequently. Other areas that can suffer damage are the dropouts, the bottom bracket and the chainstays. If problems occur in these areas, your pedaling or braking performance will likely be affected. When cleaning your bike after a ride, look for the types of structural damage listed above. If you find any structural damage of this type, take your bike to a shop to have it inspected. Do this before you ride the bike again. Weaknesses in the frame can cause it to fail—something you don't want to happen while you're riding the bike.