Bicycle storage in winter: useful tips

With the advent of winter, all summer entertainment becomes irrelevant. At the same time, care must be taken to ensure that the long period of downtime does not harm the inventory. This applies to bicycles - a rather large transport, for which it is not always easy to find a place. What can be done to change the iron horse in the spring without the hassle?

What causes the careless storage of a bicycle in winter

Two-wheeled vehicle requires attention even in winter. If improper storage can occur, both minor and significant problems:

• Cracking of tires and chambers.
• Rust on all metal parts. The chain is particularly prone to decay.
• Problems with the braking mechanism.

A long, simple benefit will not bring. And if you do not follow the rules of storage, then the iron horse will quickly become worthless.

Preparation

Bicycle storage in winter requires careful handling, if the owner wants all parts to remain intact, and not rust or cracked. Training includes:

• Self-inspection after the end of the season. This will identify the most problematic places. If the bike is worn out somewhere, some parts are faulty, then you can replace them, fix them, or mark what will be done in the spring.
• The bicycle should be carefully washed, cleaned of all dirt, since it can cause deformation, rotting or corrosion of some elements.
• Be sure to lubricate all the details again. Chain - especially carefully.
• If necessary, clean and lubricate the bearings.
• Brake cables need to be thrown off and weakened so that they do not stretch and do not deform during the winter, and also do not scratch the frame.
• All elements that are subject to corrosion must be treated with special grease, painted.
• If the bicycle will not be stored in a dry and warm room, then you need to wipe it with an oiled cloth. This will prevent moisture from entering the metal parts.
• If the iron horse will be in the standing position all winter, then it is necessary to pump the wheels. This will avoid deformation of tires and rims. If it will hang - the wheels should be lowered.
• That the tires are not cracked, you need to lubricate them with glycerin.

Bicycle storage in winter: conditions

This means of transportation is pretty fastidious to the conditions of detention. It is better to put it in a room with dry air, rather than moist. Dampness threatens metal details - they can rust.

Sharp temperature changes are very dangerous for a bicycle. It is better if he stays in a room where the thermometer does not fall below 0. Negative temperatures can be transferred to the bike without much damage to itself, but tires and brakes may suffer. Overheating is also undesirable. Therefore, the bicycle should be kept away from heaters.

There should be no direct sunlight. Ultraviolet is harmful to tires. Also, the paint burns out in the sun, the seat cover and steering wheel crack. To avoid this, you need to cover the bike with a rag.

Choose a storage location

It is best if the iron horse will spend the winter in an apartment, house or other heated premise. Then he will not be exposed to atmospheric precipitation, temperature drops, humidity, etc. Lucky for those who have a spacious vestibule in the entrance. A bicycle can perfectly overwinter and there. The main thing is that there are no conflicts with neighbors because of this.

Bicycle storage in the winter in the garage is entirely acceptable. He will be there well, especially in a suspended state. The shed or other farm buildings are also suitable for these purposes. If the balcony is glazed, then you can put the bike there. Only it will be necessary to cover it with a rag so that the paint does not burn out.

Bicycle storage in the winter on an open balcony is extremely undesirable. The fact is that here the bike will know all the "charms" of bad weather: temperature jumps, frost, rain, snow, sun and other atmospheric phenomena. All this, of course, will not do him good.

Especially do not hang it out. Here the bike will not be protected at all, even by a canopy. And in regions where hurricane winds are frequent, fastenings can also break. As a result, you can stay without transport at all.

Bicycle storage in winter under a simple canopy is even worse, because the wheels will stand on wet, dirty and frozen ground. As a result, tires will quickly become unusable.

How compactly to fold?

This is the most difficult question for those who remove the bike for the winter. Storage in the apartment is very problematic because of the dimensions, and there are not garages for everyone. So what should I do?

It is most convenient to clean bikes with a folding frame: they occupy half the space. You can save a lot of space, if you disassemble the bike at least partially - to come up with a separate place for the wheels and the frame is much easier than for the entire design entirely.

Reduce the breadth of the bike is easy: you need to remove the pedals and screw it so that they were directed inwards. The steering wheel should be loosened and turned so that it rises in the same plane with the frame.

Accommodation options

Bicycle storage in the winter in an apartment can require a lot of effort. The most convenient option - a hook in the wall or a special bar. A bicycle stored in a suspended state is least likely to wear. It also protects the tires and prevents deformation of the wheels. It remains only to find a free wall.

If there is a lot of space under the bed, and it has high legs, then it is possible that the bike will fit there. Most conveniently, if the bicycle is dismantled: the frame can be hidden behind the cabinet, the wheels placed on the mezzanine, etc. The most important thing is not to forget what and where lies. Regardless of the storage option, it is necessary to cover the bicycle or its parts with a rag. Then in the spring it will not be necessary to clean it long from dust and pollution.