It feels a bit ironic touching on this topic right now, because if you’re riding here in NWA, the winter season presents few obstacles in getting out on your bike- it’s pretty much business as usual! As we experience increasingly mild winters here in Arkansas, it has become true that we have no real “off” season in cycling <insert giddy fist pumping of bike shop owners>. That being said, there’s still some best practices and tips if you do find yourself putting your bike away for a bit.
Before storing your bike, take inventory of its condition and any issues or repairs it may be needing - and get it to your mechanic to address those things! You will thank yourself when you do bring it back out to ride. No surprises or delays, just ready to roll. My next word of advice: clean your bike! Don’t let a dirty bike sit around. That can create easily avoidable wear and potential issues. Prevention goes a long way in bike care, and is often a lot cheaper than corrective measures later. Here at the shop, we highly recommend Pelli bike cleaning products. They are top notch and targeted to allow you to thoroughly clean and detail your bike all by yourself. We also have a bike wash station outside of the shop that is free to use anytime and is stocked with these products. If you have questions about cleaning your bike, put them in the comments here, I’m happy to help! And if you would rather someone else do the washing (don’t blame you), we offer several washing and detailing services. I would definitely check them out, like an ultrasonic drivetrain clean, that’s the kind of deep cleaning that you just can’t do with products and brushes at home.
Now about actually storing your bike. I like to keep mine inside. A dry, climate controlled space is always optimal. If indoors isn’t an option for you, make sure your bike is covered. Minimizing exposure to the elements is key. Cover your bike in a way that will keep out moisture, dirt and dust. Lastly, store your bike off the ground, whether it’s inside or outdoors. Hanging a bike, or using a wall mount is preferable over letting it sit. This is simply because, over time, tires will lose some air. Letting a bike sit with low tire pressure (or worse- a flat) can deform the tire or weaken its structure. Tires can be really pricey so I definitely recommend going this extra measure to prolong their life! Let me know if you have any questions about these tips, or if you have some tips you’d like to add- I’d love to hear them!