Water in Frame

[Richy99999]

Hi All

I was out in the rain recently, got home with a puncture and resolved to fix it before my next ride.

2 days later i turned the bike upside down to deal with the puncture, and noticed that quite alot of water came out around the seatpost. Probably 100ml approx. Normally id have fixed the puncture straight away and not noticed the water.

So i am now concerned that my bike may be compromised and has been, for the last few years, been rusting/ corroding away from the inside, and could collapse at any time !!!

Its a 7 year old aluminium frame, Norco road bike. I googled it and understand that aluminium doesn't rust, but it does corrode.

Is this normal ? Or could the bike be rotting from inside ?

Thanks

 

[iluvmybike]

Water inside a frame where a bike is used often in the wet is normal. Don't worry about it. I assume you have greased the seatpost regularly.

 

[Richy99999]

Hi, thanks for your response. Never greased the seatpost.

 

[iluvmybike]

Hi, thanks for your response. Never greased the seatpost.

Well you will be lucky if it moves then Should be done regularly - especially if it's getting wet use plus it does help stop water seeping down the post - though it will get in elsewhere

 

[Profpointy]

There's supposed to be a drain hole in the bottom bracket that allows condensation or actual rain to escape. Maybe it's blocked, or perhaps less likely, missing

 

[Chislenko]

Could be handy if your bidon is empty

 

[Richy99999]

Seat post greased now, took 2 of us to get it off !

No drain hole in the bb, but there is a rusted screw holding the cable bracket on where a drain hole could/should be.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

What Profpointy said, check for a drainage hole on the bottom of the frame, if not at the bottom bracket then you might find one on the chain stay. Make sure they're clear by probing with a toothpick or similar, they can get gunked up with dirt quite quickly.
Your frame should be fine, I wouldn't worry.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Clear silicone sealant round the top of the tube and over the clamping slot at the back will keep all water out.

 

[Profpointy]

Seat post greased now, took 2 of us to get it off !

No drain hole in the bb, but there is a rusted screw holding the cable bracket on where a drain hole could/should be.

I'd be inclined to drill a hole.
On a previous bike I drilled and tapped a hole for the cable bracket thingy you mention as it didn't have what I needed after changing the gear mechanism.

 

[iluvmybike]

Seat post greased now, took 2 of us to get it off !

No drain hole in the bb, but there is a rusted screw holding the cable bracket on where a drain hole could/should be.

Not all bikes have a drain hole - you could argue if there is drain hole more water will get in!!

 

[Smokin Joe]

Nearly all bikes have a drain hole. Just undo the screw holding the cable guide* and let the water run out.

*Cue a million posts from the "Who needs gears" brigade.

 

[Ajax Bay]

There's supposed to be a drain hole in the bottom bracket that allows condensation or actual rain to escape. Maybe it's blocked, or perhaps less likely, missing.

I brought a bike in for sorting out at the weekend: it'd been outside (well-WD40'd) for a while.

• Pulled out the seatpost to give it a clean and regrease: no problem.
• Except that a serious amount of water came spewing out of the two holes: one in each chainstay - there isn't one under the BB on this MTB: all 3 cables go along the top tube.
• With the seatpost out the (minute) partial vacuum in the (Al) frame above water level was eliminated.
• I was too busy sequential mopping up to catch the water to give an estimate of volume but I shall guess from the initial apparent pressure, half the seat tube and half the down tube were full as well as both chainstays.

 

[Profpointy]

I brought a bike in for sorting out at the weekend: it'd been outside (well-WD40'd) for a while.

• Pulled out the seatpost to give it a clean and regrease: no problem.
• Except that a serious amount of water came spewing out of the two holes: one in each chainstay - there isn't one under the BB on this MTB: all 3 cables go along the top tube.
• With the seatpost out the (minute) partial vacuum in the (Al) frame above water level was eliminated.
• I was too busy sequential mopping up to catch the water to give an estimate of volume but I shall guess from the initial apparent pressure, half the seat tube and half the down tube were full as well as both chainstays.

Mmm, that can't be a good thing at all !

 

[Archie_tect]

Ah!
My bikes haven't needed the seat position/ height adjusting since I got them so never gave a thought to ease the seat posts... this might be interesting.