Storing Bikes in the Garage_ Here Are Some Tips
November 16, 2021
What do you do to your bike after using it? Do you just leave it on the front porch unattended? Chances are your bike will be susceptible to damages due to weather and other outside elements or prone to stealing as it is open for everyone to see. Of course, no cyclist would ever want that to happen.
A cyclist--a responsible one at that--not only takes good care of the bike's surface, such as constant cleaning, checking of tires and brakes but also sees to it that he has proper space and way to store it. After all, you are not riding your bike 24/7.
Unless you own a folding bike, securing a place in your house wouldn't be much of a problem as it occupies little space. If not, it still is a no-brainer if you just identify what kind of storage will best fit your space. And if you own a garage, then you can say, problem solved.
One thing to take note of is the temperature in your garage. Cold temperatures or hot temperatures alone are not really damaging to your bike. The constant change from hot to cold or cold to hot causes moisture build-up that can lead to rust, components to loosen, or, worst case, crack. So when the weather is generally hot outside, and you are going to use it, make sure that the storage space is also warm. The same goes for colder seasons, have your garage set to low temperature as well.
You should avoid having the bike's tires rest flat on a bare concrete floor for long periods. The moisture that the concrete floor draws out from the rubber tires will cause dry-rotting and premature aging. If storing upright is the only choice you have, better put wood, rug, rubber mat, or carpet on your garage floor.
However, let us put this straight: bikes stacked horizontally on the floor are not a good way to store them. That is especially problematic if you have more than one bike in your arsenal. They will occupy a sizable amount of floor space and will eventually lean on another bike since a lot of the hoops only support the front tire, which in this position can scratch your bikes. Another problem that may arise is that if you have more than four bikes stacked together, you will have a hard time getting a particular unit and pulling it out when you need to ride on it.
The solution that answers these woes is to mount your bikes to the ceiling or wall. Not only is this the most space-saving alternative, but it also brings more value money-wise as it is cheaper to stack your bicycle units. Plus, it is simple to use. A word of warning for renters, you should approach and ask permission first from your landlord as this will entail drilling the walls.
A cyclist--a responsible one at that--not only takes good care of the bike's surface, such as constant cleaning, checking of tires and brakes but also sees to it that he has proper space and way to store it. After all, you are not riding your bike 24/7.
Unless you own a folding bike, securing a place in your house wouldn't be much of a problem as it occupies little space. If not, it still is a no-brainer if you just identify what kind of storage will best fit your space. And if you own a garage, then you can say, problem solved.
One thing to take note of is the temperature in your garage. Cold temperatures or hot temperatures alone are not really damaging to your bike. The constant change from hot to cold or cold to hot causes moisture build-up that can lead to rust, components to loosen, or, worst case, crack. So when the weather is generally hot outside, and you are going to use it, make sure that the storage space is also warm. The same goes for colder seasons, have your garage set to low temperature as well.
You should avoid having the bike's tires rest flat on a bare concrete floor for long periods. The moisture that the concrete floor draws out from the rubber tires will cause dry-rotting and premature aging. If storing upright is the only choice you have, better put wood, rug, rubber mat, or carpet on your garage floor.
However, let us put this straight: bikes stacked horizontally on the floor are not a good way to store them. That is especially problematic if you have more than one bike in your arsenal. They will occupy a sizable amount of floor space and will eventually lean on another bike since a lot of the hoops only support the front tire, which in this position can scratch your bikes. Another problem that may arise is that if you have more than four bikes stacked together, you will have a hard time getting a particular unit and pulling it out when you need to ride on it.
The solution that answers these woes is to mount your bikes to the ceiling or wall. Not only is this the most space-saving alternative, but it also brings more value money-wise as it is cheaper to stack your bicycle units. Plus, it is simple to use. A word of warning for renters, you should approach and ask permission first from your landlord as this will entail drilling the walls.