No matter if you’re a homeowner, renting an apartment, or a college student without much space, it can be difficult to find an ideal long-term storage solution for your bicycle—and one that keeps it in good shape.
There’s not too much involved in getting your bike ready for storage, but you will want to follow through with a few easy steps for the well-being of your wheels. Once you do, you’ll want to put a little thought into where you decide to store your bike. Discover tips and ideas for preparing to store your bike properly with help from StorageMart.
Bike Storage Preparation
Before you store it away, the first thing to do is thoroughly clean your bike. Wipe down every inch, as this will give you the chance to look for damage or rust to the frame or chain. Use a small brush to clean between the links of the chain. If necessary, use a de-greaser.
You’ll also want to check your wheels and make sure the tread is still good. Take a look at the brake pads, too, making sure they still have some life left in them.
Before you take your bike out next, you’ll want to give it a complete tune-up, but the most important thing before long-term storage is that your bike is clean and rust-free.
How to Store Your Bike
A couple of things are crucial to safely storing your bike. The first is to keep it protected from the elements. The second is that if you hang your bike, make sure to hang it by the frame—never the wheels. Some experts also suggest storing your bike upside down to take some of the pressure off the tires.
Bike Storage Solutions
The best place to store your bike is in your living room, where humidity or extreme weather can’t cause any rust or damage. Before you go run that by your significant other, though, we’ll throw out some other options.
Renting a climate controlled storage unit is ideal for your beloved bicycle, as well as items like electronics, antiques, record albums, and other collectibles. The next-best bike storage solution is a storage unit that’s not climate controlled or your garage, in which case a bike cover might be a good idea to protect from dust and grime.
If you come to find that you won’t need to store your bike long-term, check out our helpful tips for short-term bike storage!
StorageMart is Your Bike Storage Solution
At StorageMart, you don’t have to rent a storage space large enough to accommodate all your earthly possessions; we offer units as small as 25 square feet, or up to the size of a garage. This is perfect for storing your bike for the long term, in addition to other outdoor and sports equipment that might otherwise consume your garage.
For your convenience, our affordable self storage units can be rented on a month-by-month basis with flexible payment capabilities. For your peace of mind, our facilities are always clean, video-monitored, and well-lit. Ready to browse your options? Check out our storage unit guide, or rent a unit online today!
Updated February 20, 2020