Avoiding Corrosion and Premature Wear on Your Unicycle or Odd Bike

Properly cared for, your unicycle, penny farthing or other odd bike will last you many, many seasons of enjoyment and recreation.  

Yet these are all still mechanically complex machines that, like a bike, car, or any other vehicle will need periodic maintenance. Now to be curt, half of maintenance is prevention.

Specifically, keeping your unicycle away from conditions that will cause corrosion, decay, or premature deterioration.

Here are some of the things to look out for.

UV Light

Ultraviolet radiation, or UV, which occurs naturally in sunlight, is the silent killer of things stored outdoors - specifically polymers.

Polymers like plastics and other manmade materials are composed of long, complex organic molecules that are chemically fragile.  

The high energy, short wavelength of UV radiation is powerful enough to literally blast these microscopic compounds apart into their constituent elements.

You can’t see it happening, but it’s called photodegradation (or photodecay) and it refers to the process of UV light literally denaturing plastics and other organic compounds.

This is why tires crack and discolor and fall apart when they’re left in the sun. But it isn’t just the tires. Any organic molecule will eventually be destroyed with enough exposure to UV light.

For us cyclists, this means the plastic and synthetic components like the saddle, the tires, and even, with enough time, the pedals (if they are plastic). All plastic and rubber components will eventually discolor and become brittle and fall apart if given enough UV exposure. 

The solution? Don’t let your unicycle or odd bike sit out in the sun for a prolonged period of time!

Water (Specifically, Salt Water)

If you’re a trail rider, you’re almost certainly going to run through streams and low areas full of water periodically. That’s just part of the sport.

But at the same time, you don’t want to let that water dry on your unicycle or odd bike, at least if you can help it.

Fresh water isn’t going to be much of a concern, but if you’re living along the coast, or you ride on coastal trails, or through any brackish water, this is non-negotiable.  

Salt water is immensely corrosive and will rust even relatively stainless steel alloys pretty quickly.

Here’s the deal: if you ride through a coastal area or your one-wheeler gets any salt spray on it, as soon as you get home rinse it off and thoroughly dry it. Otherwise, when you come back to it, you’re going to find some rust or corrosion.

Don’t think aluminum’s off the hook, either. It corrodes more slowly than steel, and is less reactive, but it will still form that whitish, powdery aluminum oxide if you push your luck.

Just make sure to keep your unicycle or bike clean and dry.

Mud and Sand

Corrosion is not the only menace that will make short work of your one wheeler’s exposed steel and aluminum parts. Mud and sand can cause mechanical, abrasive damage.  

Whether you ride in the west on desert trails, on the beach, or just through low, muddy areas, all that stuff that gets picked up by your tire and sprayed all over your frame can cause damage.

For one, sand and mud trap moisture and salt which can cause the corrosive damage mentioned above, but on top of that, on the moving parts, they can be worse.

Sand and dirt that can get in between your pedals and the crank arms can wear away the interface and cause them to loosen over time. You always want to keep sand and mud out of your bearing, which should be sealed, but still, keep it clean.

You also don’t want a lot of sand or mud caked on the seatpost tube or around the seatpost clamp, especially when you’re about to adjust the height. Adjusting a dirty seatpost can let sand get in between the frame and seatpost or under the seatpost clamp, which can gauge the seatpost or frame.

This is bad enough, but once gouged, the exposed steel will be much more prone to corrosion. So the bottom line is just make sure to wipe off any mud or sand when you get home. Don’t let that stuff marinate on there.

Precipitation and High Humidity

Rain, fog, and just generally high humidity conditions can also be unsuitable for your unicycle or odd bike. There’s nothing you can do about them while you’re on the trail, but once you come home, you have an easy decision to make about where you store your unicycle.

The best advice? Don’t store it outside, and if you do store it in the garage, at least keep it off the floor. Use a stand or better yet, hang it. 

Or, even better than this, is to bring it indoors and store it in the climate control. The cooler and drier the storage, the better the exposed steel and aluminum parts of your one wheeler will be protected.

Which Unicycle Parts Are Most Susceptible to Corrosion and Premature Decay?

When it comes to UV-related damage, then the parts of your unicycle (or bike) at greatest risk of damage are the plastic components. The saddle will go first, followed by the tire, and while the plastic pedals may be pretty tough, they will eventually photodegrade as well.

If we’re talking about corrosive damage, then any component made of steel is at the greatest risk. Generally, the seat tube will be the first to rust, as it is prone to getting scratched under the seatpost clamp. However, if you damage the finish of your frame it will rust too.

Even aluminum components, like rims, will corrode if scratched or stored under very adverse conditions. Keep your eyes opened and make sure to keep your unicycle clean and dry and you should have no problems, though.

Crank Arms, Pedals, Seatpost Clamps and Other Unicycle Parts

The second best thing you can do after making sure to store and maintain your unicycle or odd bike conscientiously is to repair it as soon as it becomes necessary. We carry a wide range of unicycle parts and tools; whether you’re here for a new saddle, seatpost clamp or tube, tire, or new pedals, get them here. You can also contact us directly if you have questions about part specifics or compatibility. u