Why You Should Never Store Your Bike Outside

!±8± Why You Should Never Store Your Bike Outside

Many people store their bike outside and do not realize the big mistake they are making. If you store your bike outside then you need to read this. Here is why you should never store your bike outside.

If you want your bike to last and perform at its peak efficiency you must not store it outside for extended periods of time.

There are many reasons why people keep their bicycles outside. Perhaps they have limited room for storage inside their home or garage. Maybe they keep their bike outside because they live in a rented room or a dorm room and there is no extra space. Sometimes it is because it is just easier than bringing the bicycle indoors or often people are just too lazy.

But what these people do not realize is that this type of behavior is shortening the life of their bicycle, making it so that it will need repairs more often and will not run as best as it is designed to.

When a bike is stored outside it makes it vulnerable to theft. No matter what type of anti theft device you have installed, the determined thief can still make away with whatever they want. The real problem is that most people are too trusting and don't protect their bike well enough and just make it too easy for thieves.

The weather and sun are also harmful to bicycles. The sun fades the paint and dries out tires, brake pads, seats and anything that is made of a rubber or plastic. As the weather changes from hot to cold that is not good for these same items. As well, moisture or salty air will speed up corrosion and that is never a good thing.

If a bike sits for a long period of time the weight of the bike bears down on the tires and the tires can become distorted and even develop weak areas on the side walls. The exposure to sun and the weather accelerates this process.

Here is the big problem. Most people do not want to or will find an excuse why not to bring their bike indoors because the bike is dirty. A bike should be washed and cleaned every time after it is ridden. But most people do not do this. All the dirt and grime that collects in the chain and gears and other mechanical parts is not good. If the bike was washed clean, then it could be brought inside or so the thinking goes. Best advice: rinse the bike off and bring it indoors to store it.

There are many options for storing bicycles inside. There are hoists that lift them off the ground and then suspend them from the ceiling. There are all sorts of bike racks that are specifically designed for inside storage that take up minimal space. These all work very well and make a lot of sense and will help to extend the life of a bicycle.