Storing Your Beloved Bicycles Correctly

Stash your precious bikes with care.

Whether it is children competing in a school cycling league, a 20-something keeping fit with one of the many mountain bike stage races or triathlon series, or a retired couple partaking in road racing events like the Cape Town Cycle Tour, cycling’s growth around the world is on a roll.

The sport’s popularity shows no sign of slowing down and the more enthusiastic a cyclist becomes, the more bicycles and gadgets they seem to acquire. Many cyclists own multiple bicycles to cover different events, including tandems, time trial bikes, fat bikes and even electric bikes, among others. With so many exciting disciplines within the sporting code, there are certain seasons when a specific bicycle will be used a lot less. But even during the months when a bike is in regular use, a safe and secure place to store your bicycle and equipment is essential – leaning it up against a wall is not ideal, nor is it good for your spouse’s concerns about clutter.

If you’re considering giving one of your bikes the season off, renting a storage unit is the perfect solution, offering an ideal environment for your bike to be stored safely, securely and with easy accessibility. Leading self storage company Stor-Age, which has stores across South Africa, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein, has these tips to keep your bike in its best condition while you are not using it.

Even during the months when a bike is in regular use, a safe and secure place to store your bicycle and equipment is essential – leaning it up against a wall is not ideal, nor is it good for your spouse’s concerns about clutter.

Tips on how best to store your bicycles and gear

• Clean your bicycles before storing them. Wipe the frame and chain, removing all gunk, mud and grit. A stiff, soft-bristled brush and a cloth is most effective.
• Once your bicycle is clean, inspect it for any cracks in the frame.
• Get your bicycle out of the garage. The garage provides countless chances for tools, equipment or vehicles to cause damage to a bicycle’s delicate parts. Bicycle theft out of garages is also a common problem.
• Do not store your bicycle in direct sunlight as it can dry and split the side walls of your tyres. Self storage deals with this problem nicely!
• Inflate the tyres. Especially if your bicycle will be resting on the wheels. This will protect your rims.
• Put your bike in its smallest chainrings to avoid stretching the chain.
• Empty any attached hydration packs or water bottles before storage.
• Store your bicycle in an environment with low humidity as they are vulnerable to direct moisture and humidity.
• As a precious asset, keep your bicycles securely locked up.

Why not go and visit your closest Stor-Age or call us on 0861 18 18 18 to see how we can help you with your storage needs.