How to Store Your Bike in the City

First things first: You’ll need to prepare your bike for storage. While doing this prep-work may seem like a hassle, it will save you headaches down the road.

• Clean your bike. Focus on wheels, joints, brakes and chain, then make sure they are completely dry before storing.
• Keep moving parts lubricated. Oil all of the moving parts after cleaning and before storage.
• Inflate your tires. If you’re going to store your bike upright on its tires for an extended period of time, it’s very important that the tires be fully inflated. If not, the weight of the frame will eventually distort your rims and ruin your tires (see suggested storage alternative below).

Of course, it’s incredibly important that you choose the right storage facility for your set of wheels. Make sure that the storage unit:

• Is weatherproof. Your bike is full of parts that are susceptible to rust. Choose an indoor climate-controlled unit to ensure stable temperatures and low humidity. If you want to be doubly sure that your bike will not sustain damage, wrap it in canvas and plastic.
• Has proper security. Ideally this means security cameras, secure access points, motion sensor lighting and other safety measures.

The best way to store your bike is to hang it from a wall or the ceiling. Doing this keeps the pressure off of the tires and rims. Many retailers provide racks for this purpose, or you can build your own. On top of being great for your bike, it can also be a real space saver in your already-crowded storage unit. If you’d like to skip the rack option all together, storing the bike upside down by balancing it on the seat and handlebars replicates the effect of being hung upside down.

Taking these simple measures before storing your bike for the winter can save you time and money, not to mention a giant headache! Just imagine that first ride-able day in spring – you’ll be able to hop on your bicycle and enjoy the weather without the hassle of preventable maintenance issues. Happy storing!