How To Store Bicycles In Self Storage

Find out how to store your bicycles in self storage to keep them safe, clean and in the best condition between cycling adventures.

Bicycles are amazing machines that allow us to travel in a green, healthy way. In 2022, statistics showed that cycling in London was up 40% and those numbers are likely to continue to rise as we aim to save money on fuel and parking and travel in a way that is eco-friendly.

 Many people like to store their bicycles in local self storage so that the item stays safe, dry and in great condition between uses. For some families, bicycle self storage is something they do in winter before getting bikes out for summer use. For some people who live in the city, they may store their bicycle because they live up a few floors without a lift, or they have minimal space in their accommodation and need to keep the bike in seperate storage.

Whatever your reason for storing your bike in London self storage, there is a right way to do it so that the bike stays safe, in great condition and ready to go when the time comes to pick it up. Let’s take a closer look:

Where To Store Your Bike

It is important to store your bike in high quality self storage so your bicycle stays safe. You can get units as small as a gym locker, so it’s not out of the question to get a unit that only stores your bicycle and nothing else, although it can be handy for other items like camping gear, seasonal decorations and very precious items you want to keep safe. Do choose bicycle storage that is:

• Well-maintained
• In a location that makes sense in terms of when you will need access to the bike
• Clean
• Good value for money (compare storage costs here)
• Very secure (CCTV, high-quality locks etc)
• Staffed with a friendly team
• Flexible

Don’t be afraid to physically visit a few self storage facilities in London to get a good visual on the place, and a feel for the way the staff provide customer service in person. Sometimes a polished website doesn’t fully represent shortcomings, or highlight potential positives about a self storage facility that haven’t been shouted about in a company’s marketing.

How To Store Your Bike In Local Self Storage

To store your bicycle well, you do need to do a few things to make sure it remains in great condition, including the following:

For Daily Use

For daily self storage where you pick up your bike and drop it off (IE you use it to commute) you should consider using a bike cover to keep dust and grime off your bike. You should also try to rinse or wipe it down when it is very grubby, and follow the deep bike storage instructions below every now and again for complete maintenance.

For Deep Bike Storage

When you store your bike for a longer period of time you need to give it a little more TLC to make sure it stays in great shape. The first thing you should do is scrub it down properly, ensuring all the dirt and debris from your rides is fully removed. You should also dry it down fully to help ensure that it doesn’t rust. For the same reason, you should invest in a cover that is breathable so that the bike doesn’t end up trapped in a cover with lots of moisture.

To protect the tyres, it is also important to store the bike on a stand if you can. Over time, the weight of the bike will impact the tyres, as can happen with cars and other tyred vehicles.

When it comes to getting it back out again after deep bike storage, do make sure that you get the bike to a place that can do a quick check and get the bike tuned and operating well again so it is safe for you to ride before you get back in the saddle.

A quick bicycle tune-up will include the following, and more:

• Cleaning – The bicycle will need a good rinse over, as well as a bit of a scrub with bike cleaner to make sure all the dust and debris is removed from the crevices. A toothbrush can help you to get any particularly hard-to-reach dirt out.
• Tire Pump – Your tires are likely to have lost pressure, even if the bike was raised from the floor in storage. Press down firmly on the tyre and if it has no resistance against it, or you can squeeze it and push it in without bouncing back, it needs air. At this stage, if there is an issue with the bike it could show itself.
• Check The Brakes – It is important to check the brakes to make sure that the bike is safe to ride. The pads should be intact, and there shouldn’t be a strange sound when you press them with the wheels in motion. The pads should be replaced if there are any issues with them.
• Tune-Up – It is a good idea to have a full tune-up at a specialist bike shop who can check the bike over and do any minor adjustments/ repairs to make sure the bike is in good working order, and to fix anything you are unable to fix.

Bicycle self storage is a great way to protect this expensive piece of kit, whilst saving room in your home. If you’re not already doing it, it could make your cycling hobby much easier. In areas like London, it’s a great aid to commuting with a bike as you can pick it up and drop it off without having to lug it up to a flat, or squeeze it into a small room rental space.

Store Your Bike Today To Keep It Safe, Clean & To Save Space At Home

Why not speak to your local self storage unit about storing your bike today? They will be more than happy to give you a quote and let you know more about the benefits of storing your bicycle using this cheap, flexible and secure service.