Jobs for laying a bike up for 9+ months

dodgerdog
dodgerdog Posts: 292
edited November 2012 in Workshop
I am going to be off my bike pretty much from next week unitl next Oct. What is the view of the hive on the things that shold be done to ensure it is maitained in the best possible condition for when I am back and able to ride it?

I am thinking:
- Suspend bike from ceiling hooks
- Deflate tyres
- wax/wet lube chain
- disconnect front and rear mech cables
- put chain on 39/12

Is there anything else I should be considering? Are any of the above meaningless in terms of minimising stress/stretch
Allez Triple (hairy with mudguards) - FCN 4
Ribble Gran Fondo

Comments

  • Mr Dog
    Mr Dog Posts: 643
    I'd loosen the seat bolt clamp and wipe off all the grease/carbon paste off your post. All the stories of swelling and seizing have made me paranoid. :lol:
    Why tidy the house when you can clean your bike?
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Why do anything. I have left bikes for that length of time. When I want to use it again I pump the tyres up and lube the chain and off I go. You do not need to disconnect anything put the chain in a poraticular gear or anything special. Just store it somewhere dry.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • pinarellokid
    pinarellokid Posts: 1,208
    like my summer bike,, in the dining room
    Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211
  • andyrr
    andyrr Posts: 1,824
    Ideally store it after it's been dry - I'd be wary of storing it after a recent wet ride and various bits going rusty/seizing.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    I'd oil the chain but not do anything else on that list. Certainly wouldn't deflate the tyres or disconnect the cables, that's not going to do anything.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • dodgerdog
    dodgerdog Posts: 292
    Cheers
    Allez Triple (hairy with mudguards) - FCN 4
    Ribble Gran Fondo
  • k-dog
    k-dog Posts: 1,652
    I would agree with shifting into small/small - releases the tension on the cables. Undoing them is going a bit far though.

    A hose down and thorough dry then lubricate would be on my list too. Removing the seatpost would seem prudent too.
    I'm left handed, if that matters.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    k-dog wrote:
    I would agree with shifting into small/small - releases the tension on the cables. Undoing them is going a bit far though.

    A hose down and thorough dry then lubricate would be on my list too. Removing the seatpost would seem prudent too.


    Why is everyone so worried about the tension on the cables? They're steel cables, so bloody strong and they're not going to wear if they're sat in a shed for 9 months.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • Dales1
    Dales1 Posts: 46
    It gives the mech springs a rest.
    Don't want them to lose their strength!

    Dales
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Your derailleur springs are not going to lose spring rate by being sat in a shed.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • gezebo
    gezebo Posts: 364
    I think it very much depends on where you plan on storing it...
  • ktuludays
    ktuludays Posts: 97
    DesWeller wrote:
    Your derailleur springs are not going to lose spring rate by being sat in a shed.

    derailleur spring rate is much like a woman's legs. it is well documented that if either are left in a relatively closed position for any length of time that it is extremely difficult to get to get them open again irrespective of the amount of lube you chuck at it!
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    ktuludays wrote:
    DesWeller wrote:
    Your derailleur springs are not going to lose spring rate by being sat in a shed.

    derailleur spring rate is much like a woman's legs. it is well documented that if either are left in a relatively closed position for any length of time that it is extremely difficult to get to get them open again irrespective of the amount of lube you chuck at it!

    Speak for yourself, champ!
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    When I put my Summer bike away over-Winter, I clean it, lube the chain, mech & brake pivots and cables, put it in small-small and hang it on a 2-arm rack.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    For that kind of lay-off you should consider selling it and buying a new one in 9 months time. The 2013 sale bikes should be appearing then.

Categories