Winter Bicycle Storage

[Oyez Oyez]

Winter Bicycle Storage

par Oyez Oyez » Dim Nov 23, 2008 2:30 pm

One of the saddest aspects of cycling in our city and climate is the brutallity of winter on bicycles. We taxpayers spend $20 million per snowstorm laying down tons of metal corrosive salt that shortens the life of bicycle frames and parts.

(Can we please elect to skip a storm or two this winter and defer the $20 million to other transportation needs?)

If your bike lives outside, you run the risk of it disappearing in a snowbank for 5 months and getting plowed by your municipality's friendly deneigement operator. They take no responsibility for this damage, by the way, so you are not only adding to the landfill and uglifying your street with that twisted wreck but you will presumably be looking for new wheels come spring.

Here are some things you can do to make your winter happier for you and your bike whether you ride year round or not.

Do Not Store Your Bike Outside
The architecture of montreal is inherently difficult for bike storage but unless you like throwing money away, make room for it indoors. A simple hook, that spot next to the bookshelf (but not up against the heater), be creative. It can help to take off the front wheel & pedals and turn the handlebars sideways. If it has to stay outside, a cheap bike cover can help. They cost $15 and they don't keep out the moisture but it's better than nothing.
If you don't want to keep stepping around your bike collection to get to the kitchen, your local bike shop may offer winter storage.
You can rest assured that your ride will spend a cozy winter with friends in a safe, insured environment that frees up room in your palace for the indoor hottub or full time brewing operation. A quick survey of shops offering storage found prices from $7-$20 month or flat fees around $45 for November to mid April.
As long as the bike is there, you can add on a tune up for $3/month or $30 flat rate. That's a discount of about $10 from a tune-up in-season and your bike will be happy and healthy for spring. In addition, you won't have to wait in line 2 weeks come busy season to have it tuned.

If you have your shop store your bike, you might benefit from removing all accessories like computers, lights and locks.
Why not take a picture of it before drop-off to ensure that you get everything back "as-was" and so that if you lose your claim ticket, you at least have the picture. Give the shop a day's notice before pick up in spring so they can retrieve it and top up the tires.

Protect Your Bike From Crud
If you ride all year take the extra 4 minutes to wipe down the bike and brush off the drivetrain then squirt it with some chain lube before putting it away for the day. Nothing fancy or detailed needed. Lubricate your lock at the same time and it's less likely to give you trouble. Check your brake pads for excessive wear. Expect to go through more brake pads in winter. Several people have suggested the Kool Stop brand salmon colored pads are most effective in the cold and wet.

Protect The Inside Too

Some shops can offer an extra winterizing option of internal rust inhibitor. No need if you ride a carbon or titanium bicycle but steel frames can rust from the inside out due to moisture accumulation and you won't know it until it's too late. Aluminum bikes oxidize too but don't typically have a long enough lifespan to bother with this step. Steel should last a generation if well built and cared for. Expect to pay around $25 for this service and consider bundling it with your next overhaul to avoid additional charges for disassembly/reassembly.

That's it for now. Stay warm.

 


Author: jonathanquixote
Category: Bike shopstune-up tipsAround townequipmentsafetywinterCommute
Publish Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:11:00 GMT

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