Winter Bike Storage Guide

Before You Store It

Give It a Good Clean

This isn't about making it sparkle - it's about getting rid of all the grime, salt, and crud that will eat away at your bike over the winter. Use some soapy water and a rag. Pay attention to the chain, gears, and anywhere dirt likes to hide.

Pro tip: If your chain looks like it's been through a mud wrestling match, now's the time to clean it properly or just replace it. A rusty chain in spring is no fun.

Lube Everything That Moves

After cleaning, put some bike oil on your chain, derailleurs, and any pivot points. Don't go crazy - a little goes a long way. This keeps things from seizing up over the winter.

Deal With Your Tires

Here's what to do based on where you're storing your bike:

Heated Storage (Garage, Basement, Indoors)

Pump them up to max pressure. They'll slowly lose air over winter, but starting high means they won't go completely flat.

Unheated Storage (Cold Garage, Shed)

Let out about half the air. Cold temperatures make rubber stiff and more likely to crack under full pressure.

Not sure? If your storage area stays above freezing most of the winter, pump them up. If it gets really cold (below 20°F/-7°C regularly), let some air out. When in doubt, go with less pressure - it's easier to pump up a soft tire than replace a cracked one.

Where to Store It

Dry is Key

The most important thing is keeping your bike dry. Moisture is what causes rust, and rust is what turns your bike into an expensive paperweight. A garage, basement, or even a closet works fine.

Temperature Doesn't Matter Much

Your bike doesn't care if it's cold - it cares if it's wet. An unheated garage is totally fine as long as it's not damp. If you're worried about condensation, throw an old towel over it.

Hang It Up (If You Can)

If you've got the space, hanging your bike by the frame or front wheel is great. It keeps the tires off the ground and saves space. But don't stress if you can't - just leaning it against a wall works too.

Quick Storage Prep (30 minutes max)

Wash off dirt, salt, and grime
Oil the chain and moving parts
Adjust tire pressure (up or down, your choice)
Find a dry storage spot
Cover with old towel if needed

Mid-Winter Check-Up

Around January or February, take a quick look at your bike. You're not doing a full inspection - just making sure nothing weird is happening. Check for any rust spots, make sure it's still dry where you stored it, and maybe give the chain another drop of oil if it looks dry.

This is also a good time to start thinking about what might need fixing or replacing come spring. Brake pads worn down? Chain looking rough? Better to figure this out now than when you're itching to ride again.

Getting Ready for Spring

When the weather starts getting nice again, don't just grab your bike and go. Give it a quick once-over first:

Pump up the tires to proper pressure
Check that the brakes work
Make sure the gears shift smoothly
Look for any obvious problems

If everything looks good, you're ready to ride. If something seems off, now you know what needs fixing before you head out.

The Bottom Line

Winter bike storage isn't rocket science. Clean it, oil it, keep it dry, and check on it once during the winter. That's it. Your bike will be just fine, and you'll be ready to ride when the weather gets nice again.

The worst thing you can do is just throw it in a damp garage and forget about it. A little prep now saves you from dealing with a rusty mess later.