The bicycle is one of the most popular means of transport for Austrians, especially in urban areas. Almost 80% of all households regularly use a bicycle, whether it’s to get to work every day or to get away from it all on a mountain bike at the weekend.
Even though Vienna still has some catching up to do in a comparison of the provinces – with 61% of households riding bicycles, the capital is almost 20% below the Austria-wide average – the trend here is also clearly upward. Cycling keeps you healthy, protects the environment and generally contributes to a more beautiful cityscape. Arguments that speak for themselves.
Source: Flickr
However, since the two-wheelers are usually only seasonally except for a few extreme sportsmen who fight their way through the city center on their bicycles even in snowstorms, it is important to take care of them during the cold winter months. winter months during the cold winter months.
To make sure the first trip of the year isn’t over before it’s even begun, we took the liberty of putting these thoughts together for you. In the following lines you will learn what to consider before you send your bike into hibernation.
Special care with disc brakes
In the case of bicycles with disc brakes, a redistribution of air in the braking system can occur during longer storage times, especially in a horizontal position. To prevent this, it is therefore recommended to fix the brake lever tightened. Cable ties or a string can be helpful here. However, you should be careful not to damage the handle, because in several months of storage considerable pressure can act on the brakes. Wrapping the handle with a piece of cloth before tying the brake lever is therefore recommended. After winterizing, the disc brakes must be checked for their suitability in any case, which should be done by a specialist under certain circumstances.
Reduce air pressure
To protect the tires during longer storage periods, it is important to reduce the air pressure to preserve the material. For mountain bikes, the rule of thumb is about 1 bar, for racing and road bikes about 2 bar pressure. If the wheel stands in place for a long time and can not be suspended, for example, it is good to turn the wheels every 1-2 months. This prevents pressure points in the tube of the wheel and prevents the ever-dreaded flat tire.
Thorough cleaning before storage
Before several months storage it is of utmost importance to clean the bike thoroughly to prevent damage to the material such as rust. It is best to take a brush to hand with the frame, especially in the area of the pedals and circuit, and also the rims can be thoroughly cleaned. To get to all the places, it is helpful to lay out a blanket on which the bike can be placed upside down (on the saddle and handlebars). Not only dirt but also more difficult-to-detect deposits such as salt-containing sweat residues may be present, which is why prophylactic cleaning is recommended even in cases of apparent cleanliness.
Correct storage place
As for the right place to store the bike, it should be chosen a place with low temperature fluctuations, which will protect the bike from external environmental influences and, of course, theft. Temperatures that are too high or too low can have a negative effect on the material in the long term and, above all, make plastic parts brittle. Also high humidity must be avoided at all costs, as it promotes the formation of rust, which is probably one of the greatest dangers to the wheel. Some apartment buildings offer dedicated bike cellars for this purpose, but the less fortunate can still rely on the self-storage provider of your trust ;-).
Store e-bike
Since the trend of recent years clearly points in the direction of e-bikes, we do not want to deprive you of useful tips on this either. Basically, the same rules apply here as with the conventional bike, only the battery requires additional attention. In case of doubt, it is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but normally the battery should always be removed from the wheel and stored at 10-15 degrees. As there is a risk of deep discharge when the battery is stored for longer periods, care should therefore be taken to store the battery at a battery level of 60-80%. A possible check of the battery status after 2-3 months is also recommended.
As you can see, there are a few things to consider when it comes to properly parking your bike for the winter months. With the tips & tricks we have compiled tips & tricks around the correct storing your bike
However, you have it in hand to be able to pedal again next year without any nasty incidents. If you really want to be on the safe side during the cold season, the STORE ROOM of course always has the perfect storage compartment available for your bike 😉 .
If you have more questions about seasonal storage you can find more useful tips on Christmas tree baubles, garden furniture and co. in one of our previous blogs.
Your STORE ROOM Team 🤖