Bike Storage Ideas for Every Bicycle and Space

Your bicycle is an investment and not a small one at that. When it’s time to store your bicycle, you must be sure you’re doing so in a way that won’t damage or ruin the bike. Fortunately, there are storage opportunities for the long haul, whether you’re storing your bicycle outdoors, in a garage, or in a personal self-storage unit. This guide provides bike storage ideas for people who love bicycles, no matter the space with which they have to work.

Preparing Your Bike for Storage

Modern bicycles are made of many materials, including alloys, carbon fiber, aluminum, and plastic. Although bikes contain less metal than they did in the past, they still require dry storage conditions. Here is a closer look at the steps you can take to prepare your bike for storage and keep these materials intact.

Remove the Seat Post and Pedals

Seat posts and pedals can seize in the frame or crank arm, respectively. To avoid this, remove the seat post and pedals before storing your bike. You may need a bike stand to prop up the bike while you do this. You may also want to turn the bike frame upside down before storage. That way, any moisture trapped in your seat post tube is released before it starts corroding the frame.

Clean and Lubricate Metal Parts for Storage

If your bike has metal parts, it’s important to clean and lubricate them before storing the bike. This will prevent rust and corrosion while the bike is in storage. Examine your bike’s bearings, cables, and main drive chain. Make sure bearing races are well-packed with grease, and always oil bike chains before storing them. Spray-in lubrication, or graphite in some cases, can keep cables moving smoothly as brakes are applied. Wheel hubs, pedals, and shift mechanisms should also be oiled before storing bikes.

Relieve Tension

Bikes use spring-loaded mechanisms to operate key systems. Brakes, shifters, and gear levers use opposing forces to function. Leaving their tension in place during storage can reduce their springs’ ability to bounce back. You must disengage these systems before storing your bike for long periods. Move your drive chain to the smallest front and rear sprockets, or lift it off the cogs altogether, to eliminate tension on the derailleur.

Choose a Storage Location

After you have prepared your bike for storage, it’s time to choose a location. Here are some bike storage ideas, depending on the space you have available.

• Garage: If you have the space, you can store your bike in a cool, dry area of your garage. Avoid storing bikes near chemicals or power tools because these can cause damage. If you use your garage for other activities, ensure your bike isn’t in the way.
• Outdoors: If you choose to store your bicycle outdoors, make sure your bike is in a covered area to protect it from weather damage. A bike cover also can help protect your bike from the elements.
• Personal self-storage unit: This is one of the best bike storage ideas, especially if you don’t have a lot of space at home. A self-storage unit provides a safe, secure space for you to store your bike. Bike shop owners may also choose to use business self-storage units to help with long-term storage and inventory management.

Next, we will consider some best practices for bicycle storage in each of these three environments.

Garage Bike Storage Ideas

For some bicycle owners, garage storage is the easiest way to store their bikes for the long haul. But bike owners often make mistakes when choosing this storage method. Here are some ways they can avoid harming their bikes.

Use a Floor Bicycle Rack

A floor bicycle rack can keep one or more bikes neatly arranged and prevent them from tipping over. This can be helpful if bikes are prone to tip over due to other activities. But not all bicycle owners have room for this option.

Use a Bike Wall Mount

Owners can store their bikes vertically to keep space available for parking a car or for other activities. But walls and bike wall mounts are not always strong enough to hold a bike securely. The weight of the bike can cause it to fall, resulting in damage.

Use a Ceiling Pulley System

Another way to store bikes in a garage is by using a ceiling-mounted pulley system. This can be a good option for those who want to store their bike out of the way. But while this frees up floor space, it makes it difficult to access the bike later. Using this system improperly also can be a safety risk.

Outdoor Bike Storage Ideas

Some owners who want their bikes at home may only have outdoor bike storage as an option. Here are some bicycle storage ideas for those who want to keep their bikes outdoors.

Use a Bike Cover

A bike cover can help protect a bike against outdoor dirt, dust, and water. It also allows owners to free up indoor space. But beware: The cover can blow off in strong winds. Bike covers also are susceptible to theft. Parts of the bike may still be exposed to the elements as well.

Custom-Made Sheds and Other Units

For bike owners who have the space, a custom-made shed or another custom unit can be a good option. Owners can buy weatherproof materials and custom-fit the unit for their bikes. But this option can be expensive, and it may take some time to build the shed or unit. Owners who don’t have experience building such units also may struggle to keep them stable for the long haul.

Self-Storage Unit Ideas

Self-storage units solve many of the challenges of other storage options. For example:

• Theft protection: A bicycle in a self-storage unit is virtually impervious to theft.All EZ Storage® facilities have computer-controlled gate access systems and video camera surveillance systems. Each location also has secure gated access and lighting. Individual door alarms and resident managers are also available at many EZ Storage® locations.
• Protection from the elements: Self-storage units are weatherized; climate-controlled self-storage units also may be available in your area. Because there is no activity in self-storage units, there is minimal dust or risk of bikes falling over as well.
• Multiple storage options: Owners can store multiple bikes in a single unit if they have a family or a business with several bikes. Self-storage units also provide dozens of options for safely storing seats, pedals, and bike accessories.

Consider EZ Storage Self-Storage

EZ Storage has a wide variety of self-storage unit sizes and types to choose from. Our units are clean, well-lit, and secure. We also offer climate-controlled units at many of our locations. If you’d like to learn more, contact EZ Storage today.

FAQs

Can you store bikes vertically?

Most bike owners store their bikes horizontally to prevent them from tipping over. However, some bike wall mounts are designed to hold bikes vertically. This can be a good option for those who want to store their bikes away from activity or free up space for additional storage.

How do you store a bike in the winter?

Winter weather can be tough on bikes. Many bike owners recommend storing bikes in a garage or other sheltered area during the winter months. Some bike covers also are designed to protect bikes from winter weather.

How can I secure my bike without a rack?

If you don’t have a bike rack, you can secure your bike by attaching its lock to a solid object. Many bike locks come with mounting brackets that enable you to attach the lock to your bike frame. You also can use a U-lock or chain lock to secure your bike. For long-term storage, be sure you do this along with one of the options above.