Storing your bike? Do you really have to worry about it? Can't you just park it and be done with it? You can. But especially if the storage lasts several months or the entire winter, and the bike is not moved during this time, you shouldn't be surprised if it doesn't work properly afterward, and you have to hunt for spare parts, a pump, and chain oil before your first rides. Here you'll learn how to avoid storage damage to your bike.
Bicycles are outdoor sports equipment and fortunately are not particularly susceptible to damage from moisture or cold temperatures. They don't mind if they are not used for a while. During a break due to injury, because you have more than one bike to choose from, or simply because the weather is not bike-friendly, for example. But if you want to store your bike for several months or an entire winter, and it is not to be moved during this time, you can avoid storage damage with a few simple precautions. We present them to you step by step here, and further down you'll find a checklist so you don't forget any important steps!
Why it's worth storing the bike (winter-proof)
“Storage damage”. You may have heard of it. It refers to defects in cars that occur after a long period of inactivity. This can also happen to your bike! The parts most susceptible to storage damage are moving parts (such as the drivetrain and brakes) and rubber parts (such as tubes and tires). Metal parts of the bike can also rust or at least develop surface rust.
Whenever a bike is not used for an extended period, it should be prepared for it. Especially if it becomes wet and frosty during this time, careful storage is worthwhile.
Then you can usually start riding with little effort, typically just needing to pump up the tires. Overall, with careful storage over a long period or the winter, you can significantly extend the lifespan of the bike and its components, and the resale value remains higher!
Which bikes should be prepared for storage?
Is special treatment only worthwhile for a brand new, expensive bike? Or a top e-bike? No, actually every bike deserves careful storage! Certainly, you should treat a new, “good” bike particularly well, but since all components are still fresh, these bikes can probably withstand longer periods of inactivity without visible damage. Older bikes, on the other hand, may already have some wear and material aging, and proper storage can greatly influence their operational lifespan.
Where can you store your bike?
If you know that you won't be using your bicycle or e-bike for a few months, you shouldn't just park it anywhere. Find yourself a dry, safe spot for your bike!
A bicycle cover, a bike cover, or a “mobile bike garage” is an ideal storage solution for a bicycle that won't be ridden for a long time. No matter what you call it, these practical protective covers keep your bike reasonably dry during storage, even in winter! Image © Topeak
- Ideally, the storage place for your bike is dry. However, you don't have to keep it in the living room all winter. A garden shed, garage, or basement are good places where you can store your bike dry. Anything with a roof...…
- If you don't have access to a bike cellar or something similar, a “bicycle protective cover” (a plastic cover, available for one or two bicycles) helps. Cover your bike with it, and it will remain largely dry.
- These covers also prevent the bike from getting dusty in the garden shed or garage.
- If you want to store your bike in the basement, garden shed, or garage under such a cover, you should occasionally check if condensation has formed. If everything is swimming under the cover, you can let the bike and cover dry outside on a sunny day before packing the bike again.
- A frost-free storage place would also be very advantageous. At the very least, large temperature fluctuations should be avoided. So you shouldn't park your bike in the winter sun, which heats it up strongly during the day before it gets shock-frozen at night.
- Even if you want to store your bike in the summer, it shouldn't be directly in the sun .
- If the storage place is publicly accessible, you should especially protect the bike from thieves. Seemingly forgotten bicycles are particularly popular with thieves! Secure your bike during storage with a good lock or even with a GPS tracker. If you don't have a bike cellar or garage available as a secure parking spot, you should definitely register and/or code valuable bicycles!
- You can hang your bike on a wall or ceiling mount , as this makes the storage particularly space-saving. However, if it is to be stored hanging for a longer period, it is better if it is horizontal on the frame and NOT hanging vertically on the wheel!
- You can set up your bike for storage in a floor stand or display stand if it doesn't have a kickstand. It should definitely not fall over and just lie there.
Bike Storage Made Easy
To prevent your bike from developing standing damage during storage, you should take the following precautions:
The first step: Wash your bike thoroughly before storage!
The bike must be clean if you want to store it for a longer period. While fresh dirt can usually be rinsed off quite easily, dust and dirt dry and harden nicely during a longer riding break. Scrubbing then becomes significantly more strenuous and thus more annoying. Especially before a bike stands around for an entire winter, you should thoroughly clean and dry it beforehand. We have a detailed article with washing instructions for you, where you will find important tips to help you wash your bike properly. A thorough bike wash is especially important before the frost sets in!
Away with the dirt! For winter storage, your bike should be sparkling clean! Image © Peaty’s
Step 2: Well lubricated is half the battle!
Once it is washed and dried, the drivetrain must be well lubricated . There are also special care oils for the surfaces of the stanchions and the seals on the suspension fork. You can apply a corrosion protection to all metal parts. A care spray finally protects the surface.
> Bike Protection, Lubrication and Care in the Bike Mailorder Shop
Step 3: The right air pressure for bike storage
- You can lower the tire pressure for storage to relieve the material a bit. However, you should not completely deflate the tires! The tire should not be under too much tension, but it should not visibly dent under the weight of the bike.
- Your shock absorbers and the suspension fork can also (depending on the design) be under air pressure. However, this remains untouched in winter.
Step 4: Bike storage for bikes with derailleur gears
Shift your derailleur to the smallest gear at the back (and front, if available). In this position, the tension springs are relieved, maintaining their tension and preventing them from wearing out.
Step 5: The bicycle brake during storage
In any case, the bicycle brakes should be clean when going into winter storage. If you have hydraulic disc brakes, you should fix the pulled brake levers to the handlebars with Velcro straps, straps, or cable ties for longer storage. This prevents the brake from "drawing air" and needing to be bled as the first task in spring. With mechanical brakes, you can skip this step. For hydraulic brakes, it is also particularly important to store the bicycle horizontally. It should not be stored vertically hanging, even if that would save space. Here too, the brakes can draw air, causing them not to brake properly, and you will need to bleed them.
Step 6: Remove your bike computer before storage
To prevent it from being damaged by frost or moisture, you should give your bike computer or bike GPS a warm spot in the house. These devices are generally at least protected against splashing water. However, constant moisture is not good for them. Batteries and accumulators also do not particularly like prolonged frost. It may also be advisable to remove the batteries entirely to prevent them from leaking unnoticed. The same precautions apply to your battery-powered bike lights and the e-bike battery.
Mobile bike GPS, digital speedometers, and bike computers should be stored indoors when it gets cold. Image ©Garmin
Special case E-bike
You can also store an e-bike after this preparation. However, you should remove the battery and display, especially if the e-bike is overwintering outside. The contact points should be protected from moisture and you should occasionally check to ensure no condensation has formed there.
The stored bicycle during winter
Your bicycle is ready for storage, you have washed it and lubricated it well. Now you can just forget about it for months?! Not quite. There are a few steps you should perform once a month during storage.
- If your bicycle is standing on the ground, simply lift the rear wheel and turn the crank a few times. If you store it hanging, this is of course even easier. This moves the drivetrain once, preventing it from sticking in one place and optimally distributing the drivetrain lubrication. If you want to be very precise, you can shift through the gears once and then leave the gear in a low position.
- Then you should place both wheels in a new position so that one spot is not permanently stressed.
- Compress the suspension fork and the shock absorber on a full-suspension bike a few times so that the shock oil is well distributed again.
- Finally, you can check the tire pressure . You don't need to handle the pressure gauge here, as the tire pressure is already reduced. But the tires should not become flat. If a bicycle stands flat for weeks, the tire and tube can develop cracks at the bent spot.
If your bicycle is stored hanging, you can occasionally turn the crank. That's almost all there is to maintenance! Image © Cycloc
The Checklist for Bicycle Storage
Here is the checklist for bicycle storage once again:
- Wash the bicycle
- Lubricate the drivetrain
- Apply care spray and corrosion protection
- Reduce tire pressure slightly
- Set the gears to the smallest sprockets
- Remove bicycle computer, bike GPS, and battery lighting
- Select a dry, secure location
- Lock and secure the bicycle well
- Change the position of the wheels monthly
- If available, compress the shock absorber
Prefer to Ride in Winter? If You Change Your Mind…
Many bicycles are put on a forced break during the winter. It is absolutely possible to have fun on a bicycle in winter, or even use it daily for trips to the store or school/university/work. If the snow piles up meters high, you should leave the bicycle, otherwise, there is nothing against getting in the saddle even in the cold season and riding on cleared, gritted roads. If you are considering cycling in winter, you should definitely read our posts on this topic beforehand.
Everything you need to know if you want to cycle in winter – the blog series:
- “Winter with the bicycle – finally safe through ice and snow!”
- “Clean and maintain your bicycle: Clean through the winter in 5 steps”
- "Proper bicycle maintenance"
- "Bicycle clothing for winter – the best frost protection"
Title image: Juan Encalada on Unsplash
