Bike Storage Newcastle
How to Winterize and Store
Your Bike
§ Inflate the Tires- Prior to storing your bike
in a shed, make sure the tires are fully inflated, especially if you don’t plan
on installing racks that will allow you to hang the bikes from the ceiling, but
will instead be simple storing them on the floor. If the tires are left flat,
the bike’s entire weight will press down on one section of the rims throughout
the winter, possibly distorting or weakening the tire.
§ Wipe the Bike’s Frame- While you shouldn’t
necessarily take water to a bike to clean it, because of the potential rust
problems that can occur, you still want to make sure your bike is thoroughly
cleaned before you store it. You can do this by using a soft-bristled brush to
remove caked on mud between your tires and frame and by using a soft rage to
wipe down the rest of the bike and free it from grime and grease.
§ Inspect Your Bike’s Frame- While you are wiping down
your bike, you have the perfect opportunity to inspect the frame for any damage
that might have occurred during the summer season. Look for metal fatigue and
cracks, especially around the bottom bracket and near spots that are welded.
These places hold a lot of your weight while you are riding and are often under
a lot of stress. Before you place your bike in your storage unit, make sure you
have looked for these problems and fixed them.
§ Lubricate- If you want to avoid having
problems in the spring, make sure you lubricate the cable before you store the
bike for the winter. This will reduce the chance of rust and will increase the
performance of the cables when you want to ride the bike again. A little dab of
lubricant on a rag is all you need. You should also lubricate the chain as
well.
§ Check You’re Brake Pads and Tires- While you
are busy winterizing your bike, make sure to check the tires, spokes, brake
pads, and wheels on your bikes. They should all be in good shape before you
store your bike. The wheels should spin straight, the tires shouldn’t rub
against the brake pads, and the pads should be properly aligned. Also, check
for wear on your brake pads; excessive wear could mean they need replaced.
Make sure when you store your bike, you do so in a metal shed, or self-storageunit not a wooden shed. Storage units are much more secure and will keep your
bike safe and dry all winter long.