Easy drivetrain care for coastal rides

[Unsullied]

A friend and I both ride in salty, sandy coastal areas, he in Santa Cruz, me in Encinitas. He's an experienced ebike builder, so I trust his advice. One simple tip: after every ride, rinse your drivetrain with a cheap hand-pump garden sprayer while spinning the crank. There is no drying or relubing needed..Has anyone tried this method?

 

[Hill.Striker]

I totally get the appeal of your friend's method.
A quick rinse after a salty ride sounds like a dream, and it's smart to get that stuff off the chain right away before it can do any real damage.
But I've learned the hard way that just rinsing isn't quite enough.
Leaving the chain wet, even with fresh water, can actually cause rust and wear out your components faster.
A quick rinse is a good start, but wiping it down and applying a little lube is a critical next step to really protect your drivetrain.

 

[Unsullied]

That's a fair point, I wouldn't want to trade salt damage for rust. Maybe I'll stick with the rinse but add a quick towel dry and light lube after, just to be safe