by Bill Anderson
Having enjoyed another summer season of cycling and many great memories, it’s time to prepare your bike for winter storage. Unless you plan to pedal your two-wheel steed throughout the winter. Regardless, wouldn’t it be nice to be ready to ride when the temperature warms next year?
Rather than cleaning or tuning up your bike when you should be riding next spring. Or even worse, waiting two to three weeks or more for your bike shop to get it ready for you.
Preparing your bike for storage
When putting your bike away for the winter, there are several steps you should consider to store it properly. Following the helpful tips listed below or taking it to your favorite bike shop will help you avoid future problems and ensure it’s ready to ride next spring when the weather breaks.
These tips apply whether you’re putting your bike in your basement, garage, or storage unit. Many bike shops now offer winter storage if you don’t have a place at home and don’t want to rent a storage unit. Just don’t let your bike sit outside.
You would think this wouldn’t need to be mentioned, but visit any college campus in the upper Midwest in February and see dozens of beautiful high-end bikes out suffering in the cold and snow.
In any case, follow these pointers so you are ready to go when the weather warms up next spring:
1. Wipe down the frame and inspect it
Use a dry rag and a spritzer bottle filled with water or a light detergent solution to wipe it down while inspecting the bike. I’m not a fan of wet-washing a bike with a water hose, as it can cause problems if water gets into your components. Then be sure to wipe the bike dry to prevent rust on all metal parts.
The best way to do this is to take a brush to knock away any chunks of dried-on mud on your frame or wheels. Then, use a damp rag to wipe your bike down, removing any remaining dust or dirt. Also, remove any grease or grime that has accumulated around your drive train or in other areas where lubrication can attract dirt.
2. Inspect your frame
Here’s a bonus hint: Wiping down your bike allows you to inspect the frame thoroughly. While cleaning, look for cracks or metal fatigue, particularly near welded spots on the bottom bracket, which supports much of your weight.
3. Cleaning your drivetrain
Now is an ideal time to clean and lubricate the cassette, chain, and crank to eliminate any crud that may have accumulated over the riding season. Plus, a fresh coat of lubricant will help protect against rust. If you have several thousand miles on the chain or significant wear, this is the time to consider replacing it.
4. Lubricate the cables
To avoid problems that may arise in the spring, such as rust or poor cable performance, take a few minutes to lubricate the cables that control your brakes and derailers. Apply a few drops of light lubricant to a rag, then rub it on the exposed cable—lightly work it through the cable housing. This will help keep your shifting mechanism in good condition while reducing stress on your cables.
5. Inspect tires, wheels, and brake pads
While wiping down your tires, check your wheels for loose or broken spokes by spinning each wheel and checking whether it still spins true. Ensure your wheels spin straight, with no wobbling from side to side and no rubbing against the brake pads. If your wheels don’t spin straight, it’s probably time to take your bike in for wheel truing.
At the same time, if you don’t have disk brakes, inspect your brake pads for proper alignment and any excessive wear.
6. Then inflate the tires
Before putting your bike away, fully inflate your tires, especially if you store it on its wheels. If your tires are flat, the bike’s weight presses down through the rims on one spot on the rubber. Over several months, this can cause deterioration of your tire, as the rubber can become distorted and/or develop a weak spot in the sidewall. If you hang your bike from the ceiling by its wheels, the recommended tire pressure is still good.
7. Wipe down the tires, saddle, and handgrips
Now that you have cleaned and lubed your bike, wipe down all the remaining components to prevent any wear or misalignment. Take an optional step that primarily affects the bike’s appearance. Armor-All works well on your tires, rubber handgrips, and seat (for leather, vinyl cover, or another smooth synthetic surface). Products like this are beautifiers and protects while giving a nice, clean, and shiny appearance while keeping the material soft. This only takes a few extra minutes and will be something you’ll be glad you did in the spring, as your bike will look sharp and ready to go.
8. Remove any batteries or charge them to the recommended capacities
Remove any accessories with lead batteries, such as front and rear lights, to prevent battery acid from leaking onto your bike during storage and causing corrosion. If the battery is hard to remove, like some Lithium-Ion batteries on electric-assist bikes, charge it to the recommended capacity, typically around 85%. See “How to maintain an E-bike” for more information.
9. Clean out your panniers and trunk bags
If you leave your bike bag on, clean and wipe it out. Ensure no food items are left inside, as you may find a family of rodents nesting there next spring.
10. Empty water bottles and Camelbaks
Take all your water bottles off your bike, or drain them and give them a light bleach rinse. Running them through the dishwasher to get them nice and clean is another option. When finished, leave the lids off to allow them to dry completely inside before storing.
If you have a Camelback or backpack canteen water carrier, flush the bladder with a very mild vinegar-and-water solution, then rinse several times with plain hot water, and finally leave the lid off to dry.
Now, as you sit in front of the window watching the snow fly, recalling all the memorable rides you had this year, you can rest assured that when the first opportunity to ride next spring comes, you are ready.
A bonus tip
Take your bike in for its annual tune-up now. Many bike shops offer special discounts this time of the year. Plus, you will be ready to ride if we have an early spring.