We all love our bikes, so after enjoying the warm season, we are faced with a period when the bike needs to be tidied up and organized to hibernate until the next warm and dry period. There are a few tips and rules that will help you to preserve your bike and extend its life. So, let's go through each step by step.
Select the optimal storage location.
The ideal space is one that is warm, dry, and well-ventilated. If storing it in an apartment is not possible, it can be kept dry and ventilated in a garage, a clean, ventilated attic, or a glazed balcony. A bicycle and all of its components are sensitive to moisture since most systems can rust and corrode.
Remove all accessories and electronics.
It is worth taking everything out and storing it in the heat to prevent issues with the pump, repair kit in the glove compartment, computer, rear flasher, and front lamp, among other components for a safe and enjoyable ride, following winterization. For instance, they can be broken by catching plastic fenders on the balcony, and the digital crystals on the bicycle speedometer screen may stop flashing, endangering future purchases.
Wash your bike and dry it.
There's not a single thing that doesn't like dirt. A bicycle is a multitude of complex parts and pieces, most of which are movable and arranged as hinges or guides on sliding hubs. Wheels and steering constantly rotate on the balls inside, so these parts need constant and clean lubrication inside. Therefore, wash the entire bike well with water, rag, brushes and detergent. After cleaning the entire bike well, let it dry for a while.
Visit a bike shop.
After a season of riding, it's a good idea to take your bike in for a routine maintenance at a bike shop. These professionals have the necessary skills and special tools to rebuild your bike's fork and wheels and thoroughly clean the gears. In order to prepare your bike technically, it is preferable to do so in the fall, towards the end of the season, when mechanics are less busy and can give your bike a more thorough inspection. When the season first begins in the spring, there is a rush, a lot of work, and your bike may be in the workshop for over a week, during which time it will be constructed in the order in which it is received. You can enter the upcoming season with confidence and peace of mind if nothing is found.
Decide on the method of storage.
Depending on where you store your bike and the specifics of your bike, you may want to consider how it should be stored. Your bike can sit on the floor all winter with the handlebars and saddle against a wall, or it can be hung horizontally from the top tube of the frame, or it can be hooked to the front wheel and hung vertically. When stored vertically, sometimes hydraulic brakes can fail and fork oil can leak through old oil seals, so check with your mechanics for the best way to proceed. Alternatively, you can remove the wheels from the bike and pack everything in special cases for storage or transportation. There are many ways to do this, so choose the best one for you.
Take care of the bike wheels.
They need extra attention because they will be left inactive for an extended period of time, in order to prevent the cameras with tires from breaking while being stored. First, give the tires a thorough cleaning in a soapy solution. After that, you can treat them with specific tire care solutions or give them a simple silicone shock absorber spray. By following these steps, the rubber's service life will be extended and it won't crack from drying out.
Furthermore, remember to inflate the wheels and ensure that they maintain the required pressure, as indicated by the tire's side. If there is a flat inside the tire, either seal it or get a new one. You can do this at home or in a class.
Pay attention to the chain and the entire transmission.
Examine each chain separately. If it is unclean and heavily soiled from previous grease and sand, thoroughly clean it with brushes or chain washers using kerosene and other potent degreasers that effectively clean metal. After that, you can apply chain lubricant to the chain after letting it thoroughly dry. Check the cable jackets, rear and front derailleurs, and other components right away. Apply WD-40 to them to thoroughly clean and lubricate all the joints. Thoroughly clean the Bowden, which hold the cables and are in charge of the shifting's quality and clarity as well as, occasionally, the brakes' efficacy.
Reduce the tension on the springs in all the mechanisms.
You should use the smallest front and rear sprockets to help relax the springs and lessen the strain on them in order to prolong the life of the rear and front derailleurs and maintain their springs tight. Disconnect the V-br rim brakes as well; this is an easy manual task.Each of these processes needs to be carried out with caution.
Pack the bicycle and store it in the chosen location.
Finally, you will need to cover your bike with a cloth to protect it from dust or put it in a case. This will help keep your bike clean until the next season.
As you can see, there's nothing secret or hard to prepare to store your bike for the winter. We hope our step-by-step recommendations will help you out.
