[JM01]

Our XC season is almost over and i'll be putting the bigger bikes away. Anyone know if its OK to store bikes built with oil/spring forks and oil shocks in an unheated garage? Temperatures here get down to the -30'sC...any chance of the cold causing damage to the suspension and other components?

thanks in advance

 

[Caffeine Powered]

shouldn't be an issue as long there's no water involved. I've been storing motorcycles for years and the only consideration for then is fresh engine oil & gas preservative in a full tank to prevent the carbs from gumming and rust in the tank. Bicycles are worry free.

 

[damion]

Tubes,tires and seals.

All of the rubber bits will wear faster if stored in the cold.

 

[miSSionary]

Winter

Just keep riding and you won't have an issue.

 

[JM01]

i have a winterbike

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=145866

and a summer bike

 

[miSSionary]

Nice...

...And I'll shut up then!!

 

[JM01]

good point though...between my commuter, winter, and summer bikes, i missed only 8 days last year...this year i'm on track for 360 days!

 

[miSSionary]

NICE...Well I better go ride!!

 

[meloh1]

Well, I've been storing my bikes in an unheated garage in northern Wisconsin in the winter for more than 30 years and haven't noticed any undue wear on the rubber parts. The only problems I've had were with some Panaracer road tires checking badly over one winter. I attribute it to bad tires, not the cold. Other bikes with other tires fared fine in the same conditions. Currently I store a full suspension, commuter, fixie, tandem, two road bikes and my wifes hardtail in the garage. The single speed is in the basement because I don't have wheels for it right now.

The main issue is condensation. Bringing bikes in the house when it's cold outside causes condensation. Another enemy is ozone. That's what attacks rubber. Keeping rubber away from ozone producers is a good idea. Electric motors are ozone producers.

 

[JM01]

thanks...

...for the advice...just needed to be assured that i won't find a puddle of oil under the fork in the spring, it would be a shock.

Actually, had a problem with a tire on Mrs. JM's road bike after a very cold winter a couple of years ago...the part that was touching the concrete developed a bubble causing a very noticible bounce or bob when riding. Since then i rotate the tires on the stored bikes every few weeks...don't know if it does anything, but haven't had a problem since.

Again, thanks for the help

JM

 

[meloh1]

I would get them off the concrete. Hang them by a wheel. If you're concerned about shocks leaking hang them front end down. However, if a shock leaks it's probably bad seals that would have gone anyway.