Storing your bicycle? 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 bicycle 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 bicycle.
Bicycles are outdoor sports equipment and fortunately are not particularly susceptible to damage from moisture or cold temperatures. They also don't mind if they're not used for a while. During an injury break, because you have more than one bicycle to choose from, or simply because the weather isn't bicycle-friendly, for example. But if you want to store your bicycle for several months at a time or an entire winter, and it shouldn't be moved during this time, you can avoid storage damage with a few simple precautions. We present them to you here step by step, and further down you'll find a checklist so you don't forget any important steps!
Why it is worth storing the bicycle (winter-proof)
“Stand damage”. You may have heard of it before. It refers to defects in cars that occur after a longer period of inactivity. This can also happen with bicycles! The parts most susceptible to stand damage are moving parts (such as the drivetrain and brakes) and rubber parts (such as tubes and tires). Bicycle parts made of metal can also rust or at least develop surface rust.
Whenever a bicycle is not used for an extended period, it should be prepared for this. But especially if it gets wet and frosty during this time, careful storage is worthwhile.
Then you can usually start riding with little effort, generally just needing to inflate the tires. Overall, with careful storage over a longer period or the winter, you can significantly extend the lifespan of the bicycle and its components, and the resale value remains higher!
Which bicycles should be prepared for storage?
Is special treatment only worthwhile for a brand-new, expensive bicycle? Or a top e-bike? No, actually every bicycle deserves careful storage! Surely you should treat a new, “good” bicycle particularly well, but since all components are still fresh here, these bicycles probably withstand longer periods of inactivity without visible damage. Older bicycles, on the other hand, may already have some wear and material aging, and proper storage can greatly influence their operational life.
Where can you store your bicycle?
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, secure spot for your bike!
A bicycle cover, a bike cover, or a “mobile bicycle garage” is an ideal storage for a bike 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 long. A garden shed, garage, or basement are good places where you can store your bike dry. Anything with a roof, really…
- 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 bikes) will help. 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 under such a cover in the basement, garden shed, or garage, you should occasionally check for condensation formation. If everything is wet 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 bright sun in winter, where it heats up significantly during the day before being 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 protect the bike especially well against thieves. Seemingly forgotten bikes 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 a garage available as a secure parking spot, you should definitely register and/or code valuable bikes!
- You can hang your bike on a wall or ceiling mount because this way, the storage is, of course, particularly space-saving. If it is to be stored hanging for a longer period, it is better if it is horizontal on the frame and does NOT hang 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 stand 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 become quite stubborn during a longer break from riding. Scrubbing then becomes significantly more strenuous and thus more annoying. Especially before a bike stands around for an entire winter, you should clean and dry it thoroughly beforehand. We have a detailed article with washing instructions for you, where you'll 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 spotlessly 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 protects the surface at the end.
> 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 should not visibly dent under the weight of the bike.
- Your shocks and suspension fork can (depending on the design) be under air pressure. However, it remains untouched during the 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 go into winter storage clean. If you ride hydraulic disc brakes , you should fix the pulled brake levers to the handlebars with Velcro straps, straps or cable ties for long-term storage to prevent 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 vertically be stored hanging , even if that would be particularly space-saving. Here too, the brakes can draw air. Then they won't brake properly, and you'll have 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 place in the house. These devices are usually at least protected against splashing water. However, constant moisture is not good for them. Batteries and accumulators also don't like prolonged frost very much. It may also be advisable to remove the batteries completely so they don't leak unnoticed. The same precautions apply to your bike lighting battery and the e-bike battery.
Mobile bike GPS devices, 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 must occasionally check that 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. You should perform a few tasks during storage once a month .
- 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, of course, it's even easier. This moves the drivetrain once, preventing it from seizing in one spot and the lubrication is optimally distributed. 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 set both wheels in a new position so that no spot is permanently stressed.
- Compress the suspension fork and the shock absorber on the fully bike a few times so that the shock oil is well distributed.
- Finally, you can check the tire pressure . You don’t need to use a gauge here since the tire pressure is already reduced. But the tires should not go flat. If a bicycle stands flat for weeks, the tire and tube will crack at the bent spot.
If your bicycle is stored hanging, you can turn the crank occasionally. That's almost all there is to maintenance! Image © Cycloc
The checklist for bicycle storage
Here is the checklist for bicycle storage again:
- Wash the bicycle
- Lubricate the drivetrain
- Apply care spray and corrosion protection
- Reduce tire pressure slightly
- Set the gears to the smallest sprocket
- Remove bicycle computer, bike navigation, 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 cycling in winter? If you change your mind…
Many bicycles are put on a forced break during winter. It is absolutely possible to have fun on a bicycle even 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 bike standing, 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 the bicycle: 5 steps to stay clean through the winter”
- "Properly maintain the bicycle"
- "Bicycle clothing for winter – the best frost protection"
- "Properly lock the bicycle"
Title image: Juan Encalada on Unsplash
