Stiff Transmission after use in heavy rain

[martinireland]

My transmission is stiff on occasion after I used it in heavy rain 2 weeks ago. It had been just left to dry then stored. I cant figure what is wrong. The freewheel seems to be ok. I suspect the bottom bracket, but its only fitted about 8 weeks ago. I presumed bb are sealed units and water wont damage it ? I only noticed it when I tried pedal backwards when oiling and it resisted starting at first. It probably may go to the lbs to get checked but have never had this happen before........ maybe not go in the rain is the answer ?

 

[gbb]

First thing I'd do is remove the chain. That'll allow you to localise the problem, chain, cranks (BB), or rear hub.

 

[martinireland]

I have tried that, so I believe bb is at fault, surely water has not washed grease from freehub or hub

 

[Moodyman]

the external bearing bottom brackets do not like water. especially if you ride without mudguards. they're not that well sealed,

to remedy need to remove, clean, dry, regrease and re-install.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

If you have disconnected the chain, when you rotate the chain wheel any stiffness is either caused by the pedals or the bottom bracket itself. Try spinning the pedals and if they revolve freely, it can only be the BB.

If you have a cassette BB it is not serviceable and should not have stiffened up that quickly.
If you have an external BB such as Hollowtech it is worth slacking of the pretension cap slightly to see if this improves things, and as you are doing so check that dirt and grit hasn't got into the system.
If you have a loose bearing BB with adjustable cups, it is possible that enough water got in to start causing rust - so I would recommend taking it apart, cleaning it and re-greasing. It may be just that the adjustable cups need slacking off minimally.

 

[martinireland]

its a cassete type square taper, It seems to partially seize when left stored. its very strange but need someone to look at it is best. So one of my bb should not be affected by water ? the freewheel seems to be ok spins ok and all. the drive wont back pedal feels liked its jammed at times. its an intermittent fault... which is a real nucience

 

[mrandmrspoves]

A new cassette square taper should revolve smoothly with very little resistance when the crank is turned without the chain on. If it gives more than minimal resistance, feels like it is getting stuck, or develops any play, it needs replacing as they are not serviceable.
The most likely cause of what you describe would be the chain as it is so exposed. Have a careful look at the chain while revolving it slowly. The best place to look is at the rear derailleur as the chain bends most there making it easy to see any stiff links. If you find any stiff links a good oil and a gentle side to side flexing of the stiff links may free them off. Also if the problem is when back pedalling it could be poor derailleur alignment.

 

[martinireland]

I will give the chain a good check to. its also quite new maybe 600 km or so on it. I am going to drop bike in tomorrow get bearings service anyways

 

[jack smith]

[QUOTE="martinireland, post: 3393232, It had been just left to dry then stored. ?[/QUOTE]

Thats the issue you should dry by hand to prevent rusting ans seizing

 

[martinireland]

I know I should really dry bike after wet use but that won't stop BB or hub/freehub seizing .

There is no drain holes in frame so maybe water got in and lodged around BB shell. The bike has full mudguards so I don't think that could happen ?

 

[zacklaws]

I've had this problem three times in the past few months and I've tracked it down to the oil I use on my chain, "Finishline Wet", I've used it for a long time and never had a problem till now, whether its been a bad batch or gone off as the bottle was almost used up (it is now). If I left my bike a few days after getting wet and despite cleaning it and drying the chain off, the transmission became very stiff, the solution was to give the chain a thorough degrease, clean and relube or if time was short before a club ride and I was caught out by it, as it does not happen every time (which is strange) a quick oil sorted the problem but I would end up with a over oiled gungy chain. As it does not happen every time, perhaps its not the water mixing with the oil but maybe something else mixing with it and thickening the oil, perhaps silicon spray when I give the bike a shine, combination of that, WD40 and water etc. As I've changed my lube now to finishline ceramic wet it may not happen now but I'll be keeping an eye out.

 

[2clepto]

"The bike has full mudguards so I don't think that could happen ?" its hard to think mudguards can be protection for the bb.

 

[martinireland]

Have left bike into shop.... So hopefully have it back tomorrow. Told them replace BB if needed.

 

[Christopher]

I know I should really dry bike after wet use but that won't stop BB or hub/freehub seizing .

There is no drain holes in frame so maybe water got in and lodged around BB shell. The bike has full mudguards so I don't think that could happen ?

Water has a nasty habit of getting in a frame via the seapost, seatstay bridge and sometimes even the headset, I voided the warranty on a new frame by drilling holes in the BB shell to let it out - better that than a siezed BB.

 

[martinireland]

Good job its an aluminium frame...won't rust away from the inside. Must start doing these repair jobs myself, you tube is king for that sort of stuff. Do you think the BB should be replaced under warranty. Its only 2 months old with little use. Surely if it has failed its not fit for purpose ?