How to Store Bicycles and Gear

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Whether it's your restored Schwinn Sting-Ray with banana seat or the latest carbon-fiber race bike, all pedal-powered machinery has one thing in common: It wants to be used frequently. Extended storage will make it ill-tempered and balky. But there are a few tricks that will keep your two-wheeled friend content during a seasonal layoff.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Oil the chain and sprockets. This is the single biggest problem area for stored bikes. Use a special chain lube, available from a bike shop, or any lightweight machine oil. Spin the pedals and shift through the gears to distribute the oil thoroughly.

Step2

Wipe the bike down with a rag. Look for dirt caked around the derailleurs, brakes, and bottom bracket (where the pedals attach to the frame).

Step3

Inspect brake and shift cables for broken strands. If you find any, it's time for a professional tune-up. There's no harm in waiting until next season, but tape a reminder note to the bike.

Step4

Install large, rubber-coated ceiling hooks in your garage to hang the bike. For a garage with a low ceiling, one hook installed in a corner will hold a bike vertically against a wall.

Step5

Attach accessory gear, such as your helmet, bike shoes and tool bag, to the bike in a mesh bag so you don't lose it.

Tips & Warnings

Inspect the tires when you put the bike in storage. If they're cracked or highly worn, take them off the rims and throw them out. When you're ready to take that first ride next season, you won't be tempted to use them.
Cover the bike if it gets direct exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet rays deteriorate the rubber on the tires, brakes, seat and handgrips.
Test the brakes when you take the bike out of storage. If you're not sure about them, have a bike shop take a look.

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Comments

wittsparks said

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on 9/16/2007 I've heard that mountain bike with hydraulic disc brakes shouldn't be hung upside down from the wheels. Is that true? What about suspension forks?

Thanks!

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