Is ocean air damaging?

[NoisyDante]

I ride my bike to work at least 3 or 4 days a week, and the facility I'm at is about 7 blocks from the Pacific Ocean.

Does ocean air, fog, or marine layer pose any sort of threat to my bike?  I'm concerned about the salt content in the moisture collecting on the paint and metal, even the electronics, considering it is sitting out in the open for up to 12 hours.

Thanks

[Oldfisti]

The first thing you will notice is the finish corroding off of the cheap stock hardware.

Easily replaceable with stainless (or Ti $$)

[WetDuc]

No doubt that any metal will corrode faster when used near a body of saltwater.
There are a lot of factors to think about, but probably the most significant is where the bike will sit in reference to the strongest wind that will blow off the water.

[red baron]

I'm not much further from the water, it's like 10% humidity today.

[rosstermyer]

i grew up on the tx gulf coast so i know plenty about rust.

pretty much anything not stored in a garage will show some corrosion faster than if it wasnt garage kept.

i have noticed that moto's and 4 wheelers dont seem to rust as bad (usually kept out) if you just keep them as dry as possible.  dont ride in the rain and if you wash them just make sure everything is dry when finished(use a leaf blower)  the corrosion and salt air really cant take hold as well if the surface is relatively dry.

[He Man]

i live in nyc and ride year round rain or shine. if you want your bike to be like kopjagers, dont ride it at all. otherwise work extra hard to clean it or be like me and clean it whenever the moon is blue.

there is defintely some extra corrosion...but thats due to road grime and rain more than anything else. corroded bolts is a big thing.

[ute]

i would also be concerned about the inside of the trellis frame tubes


definitely spray the inside with oil weekly i would say  

[ducpainter]

i would also be concerned about the inside of the trellis frame tubes


definitely spray the inside with oil weekly i would say  

Seriously?

I would say you worry a bit too much if you are.

[red baron]

i would also be concerned about the inside of the trellis frame tubes


definitely spray the inside with oil weekly i would say  

they do make wax/oil coatings for that purpose

Google

LPS

or 3M inner panel coating

[Scotzman]

As far as salt, with regular washes/wipe downs salt in the air and it's effects should be kept at bay.

[Speeddog]

From what I've seen on customer's bikes...

The closer to the ocean they live, the more corrosion they have.

If they live in a garage, they do alright.
Not as good as inland, but OK.

If they live outdoors, it's pretty severe.

[NoisyDante]

Thanks guys.  I'll just try to give it a wash fairly often to get any salt collection off, and it's really only this short time of year here in SoCal that the "rainy season" is present.  The rest of the year it's very dry.  I guess there would be more cause for concern if it was chromed out.  At home I keep it in a garage with the cover on.

[lwszabo]

all our bikes have been in the salt air..they get here from Italy by boat!

[Two dogs]

I live at the beach here is Australia , my bike is in a semi enclosed carport , using a bike cover after a year the only thing that has shown corrosion are the zink plated bolts.
I have been replacing them all with high grade stainless with a lick of lithium grease on each one before
they get turned in. They look very nice too.
I would suggest buying a bike cover for your bike to keep the salt air off also stops prying eyes and people who want to sit on or touch your bike.
They are cheap and you could put a simple little combination lock on it to stop someone borrowing it.

[Desmo Demon]

Does ocean air, fog, or marine layer pose any sort of threat to my bike? 

Bare metal will corrode more readily......electrical contacts can get corrosion on them....rubber and plastics can dry out (salinity draws out moisture).....and I believe salt with water can create a mild acid that can etch your paint (similar to acid rain spots).

If you keep the bike clean, waxed, use armor all, and lubricate any bare metals, you should be ok.