If you have a bike and have limited storage inside, you may be wondering what you will do with it in the winter months…
Can you keep a bike outside in the winter?
Keeping your bike outside during the winter is not bad because of the cold. Provided that your bike is well-oiled, the cold is not a factor, but the sun and the overall humidity are. Over time, these can damage your bike, and even in ‘dry’ states such as New Mexico, there is a danger of snow.
As such, aside from brief stints outside when you are out biking and need to chain your bike outside, prolonged outside storage is not a good idea – the elements will eventually take their toll and reduce the integrity of the bike and by extension, the projected ‘use time’ and resale value.
Is it OK to leave a bike outside?
In winter, moisture from brief fogs or rain, or snow is a problem, and in hot weather humidity and sunlight are the most common issues. The plastic portions of your bike, when exposed to too much heat and sunlight, are going to be oxidized and this can fade the color and make them brittle.
This is not a problem if you’ll only be leaving it outside on occasion when you visit friends, especially if you can minimize the damage with a nice, shady spot. As far as leaving your bike out regularly, however, this is not recommended as it could eventually damage your bike.
Can I store my bike in the garage during winter?
If your garage is relatively airtight or at least very dry at all times, then you can certainly store your bike in the garage, but it’s a good idea to invest in a decent dust cover.
It is also recommended that you hang the bike so that the tires aren’t exposed to constant pressure and potentially become deformed as the air pressure inside them declines. Provided that it’s cleaned and well-oiled before you hang and cover it, however, then storage in the garage should be perfectly fine.
Is it bad to keep your bike in the garage?
No, it’s not bad to keep your bike in the garage, as long as it’s dry and you are storing the bike properly. You need to hang your bike so that the tires aren’t touching the ground, as this will help to take the pressure off of them so that they are less likely to lose air, and you should utilize a good dust cover.
If you only have one bike, you can even keep it inside of the house, but as long as the garage is fairly airtight, dry, and doesn’t get too hot in the summer, then you can certainly take advantage of this for safe and handy storage of your bike.
Does winter ruin your bike?
Not necessarily. As long as you make sure that the brake pivots, chains, and cables are well-maintained and oiled regularly, then using your bike in winter is no big deal. The cold is taxing for you, but a well-oiled bike is going to function just fine.
If the weather is inclement so that you are out biking in snow or get caught in the rain, then you will want to take a little extra time to clean and dry your bike when you get it home and to oil it s necessary.
Now, while winter usage won’t harm your bike, we don’t recommend storing it outside in the winter. Weather conditions that can get your bike wet from time to time are definitely not good for it and the sun can also face the plastic and even make it brittle with prolonged exposure.
How should I store my bike for the winter?
Ideally, you want to use your garage or a nice, dry shed, and the first thing that you’ll want to do is to clean the bike and lubricate parts such as the chain, brake pivots, and cables. A nice cover will help to keep it dry and help you to avoid the ‘dust factor’, and you’ll also want to hang up the bike.
This is so that you won’t have any risk of pressure on your tires slowly deflating them and potentially damaging the wheels from the weight of the bike on them without the buffer of fully-aired tires.
So, hang it up, invest in a bike cover, and don’t forget to clean and oil it thoroughly before storage. Unless your shed or garage has a leaky roof, then a bike stored in a dry environment should be well-preserved until it warms up and you’re ready to take it out and use it again.
How can I store my bike without a garage?
If you have a yard or even simply a patio, then a bike shed is the perfect investment for storing your bike if you don’t have a garage and do not wish to keep it in the house.
These small enclosures can help to keep the bike dry and away from the sun and the rain, and you can even build it yourself if you are so inclined. Otherwise, you can buy kits that require minimal assembly or even purchase a fully-assembled bike shed that will protect your bike and allow you easy outside storage in limited-space scenarios.
Do bikes need to be stored inside?
Ideally, yes. While you could cover up the bike and store it outside, you’ll get natural wear and tear from sunlight, temperature variance, and inclement weather, and there’s no guarantee that the cover won’t be compromised and your bike could become damaged.
Storing it inside a garage, a tool shed, or a specialized ‘bike shed’ is really the best way to go, or you could even simply store it inside the house. The idea is to keep it dry and covered against dust, and you’ll want to hang it up so that there’s no constant pressure on your tires.
This will allow you to store it for as long as you need and your bike should stay in excellent condition, provided that it’s been cleaned and oiled first and that regular maintenance is performed if it’s going to be a very long storage period.
Is it okay to store a bike in a shed?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to store your bike in a shed, provided that it’s dry inside and you are utilizing a dust cover. For best results, hang the bike to keep the tires off of the ground, and do NOT hang it upside-down, as this can cause trouble with the brakes when you take it down later.
Hang the bike the way that you ride it, with tires down, and as long as it’s covered against the dust then storing it in the shed is an excellent way to protect it.
Do bike covers prevent rust?
Not necessarily. If your bike is put away while it is still wet, then moisture will be present inside the cover and it could still rust your bike. You can minimize this possibility by cleaning and drying it well first, followed by oiling the bike, and THEN covering it.
In such a scenario, as long as it’s stored somewhere dry then it should be okay. Just be extra careful to ensure that you never put it away wet.