With the advent of winter, all summer activities become irrelevant. At the same time, care must be taken to ensure that a long period of inactivity does not harm the inventory. This also applies to bicycles - a fairly bulky transport, for which it is not always easy to find a place. What can be done to transfer to an iron horse without hassle in spring?
What causes the careless storage of a bicycle in winter
A two-wheeled vehicle requires attention even in winter. Incorrect storage can cause both small and significant problems:
- Cracking tires and cameras.
- Rust on all metal parts. The chain is especially susceptible to decay.
- Problems with the brake.
Long simple benefits will not bring. And if you do not follow the rules of storage, then the iron horse will quickly become worthless.
Preparation
Storage of the bike in winter requires careful handling if the owner wants all the parts to remain intact, rather than rusted or cracked. Preparation includes:
- Self inspection at the end of the season. This will identify the most problematic places. If the bike is worn out somewhere, some parts are defective, then you can replace them, repair or mark what needs to be done in the spring.
- The bicycle must be thoroughly washed, all dirt removed, because it can cause deformation, decay or corrosion of some elements.
- Be sure to lubricate all the parts again. The chain is especially thorough.
- If necessary, sort and grease the bearings.
- The brake cables must be removed and loosened so that they do not stretch or deform during the winter, and also do not scratch the frame.
- All elements subjected to corrosion must be treated with special grease and painted.
- If the bike 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 metal parts.
- If the iron horse will be in a standing position all winter, you need to pump up the wheels. This will avoid deformation of tires and rims. If it hangs, the wheels should be lowered.
- To prevent tires from cracking, lubricate them with glycerin.
Winter bike storage: conditions
This vehicle is quite picky about the conditions of detention. It is better to put it in a room with dry air, rather than moist. Dampness threatens metal parts - they can rust.
Sudden changes in temperature are very dangerous for the bike. It is better if he stands in a room where the thermometer does not fall below 0. The bicycle can suffer negative temperatures without much damage to itself, but tires and brake mechanisms can suffer. Overheating is also undesirable. Therefore, the bike must be kept away from heating appliances.
There should be a lack of direct sunlight. Ultraviolet is harmful to tires. Also, the paint burns out in the sun, the cover of the seat and steering wheel crack. To avoid this, you need to cover the bike with a rag.
Storage location selection
It is best if the iron horse will winter in an apartment, house or other heated room. Then it will not be exposed to atmospheric precipitation, temperature extremes, humidity, etc. Lucky for those who have a spacious vestibule in the entrance. A bicycle can winter well there. The main thing is that conflicts with neighbors do not arise because of this.
Storage of a bicycle in the garage in the winter is quite acceptable. He would be fine there, especially in limbo. A barn or other outbuildings are also quite 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 fade.
Keeping your bike in the winter on an open balcony is highly undesirable. The fact is that here the bike will test all the “charms” of bad weather: temperature surges, frosts, rain, snow, the sun and other atmospheric phenomena. All this, of course, will not do him any good.
Moreover, you should not hang it out. Here the bike will not be protected at all, not even a canopy. And in regions where hurricane winds are frequent, fastenings can also break. As a result, you can stay without any transport at all.
Storage of a bicycle 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 worthless.
How compact to fold?
This is the most difficult question for those who clean the bike for the winter. Storage in the apartment is very problematic due to the size, and not everyone has garages. So what to do?
It is most convenient to clean bikes with a folding frame: they take up half the space. You can save a lot of space if you dismantle 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 structure.
Reducing the width of the bike is easy: you need to remove the pedals and screw so that they are directed inward. The steering wheel should be loosened and rotated so that it stands on the same plane with the frame.
Accommodation options
Keeping your bike in the winter in an apartment can take a lot of effort. The most convenient option is a hook in the wall or a special bar. A suspended bike is less likely to wear. It also protects 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 she has high legs, then it is possible that the bike will fit there. It’s most convenient if the bicycle is disassembled: the frame can be hidden behind a cupboard, the wheels can be put on the mezzanine, etc. The most important thing is not to forget what and where it lies. Regardless of the storage option, you need to cover the bike or its parts with a rag. Then in the spring you do not have to clean it for a long time from dust and pollution.