[email protected] (TJ Poseno) wrote in message
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[email protected]>...
> I have to store a couple bikes outside now that they wont fit in my grandparents garage. What
> should I do with them? I have them covered, and under the overhand of the house, but the rims are
> starting to rust (AHHHH!) should i wipe them down with some kind of lube or something, then i dont
> knwo what to do when i take them out, use a degreaser?
>
> Any suggestions?
i stored a bike outside for a few years in college. my first bit of advice is this: put them inside.
unless you need quick access close to a door, any house can make room for more bikes. if you are
stuck for space, hang them from a wheel from an attic rafter, a garage above the cars, wherever.
with their handlebars poking into their neighbor's wheels, i think you could get three bikes hung in
about a yard square of space.
if they Must be outside, i found that regular maintenace keeps things fairly good. but by regular, i
mean regular. and you have to oil everything. make sure your inner cable are coated with oil inside
their sleeves, the springs on the brakes, the chain is soaked, threads, seatposts, and all the other
bits and pieces too. standard, stuff i suppose. be prepared to overhaul things more frequently, but
then again- my bike was uncovered rain and shine.
and if you care enough to not want the inner crevices of all your bolts from going rusty, a drop of
oil in each woudlnt hurt. nothing special. 10w-30 got me through four years of functional outdoor
bike. wd-40 in a spray can, though more solvent than oil, will allow a less maintance prone person
to keep a bike alive outside.
cheers