If you are planning to go travelling around the world, it is likely you are planning to place some items in secure, long-term storage. One of these items might be your bicycle. If you are planning to place your bike into a storage unit for an extended period of time, you need to take the following steps to keep it in good condition.

Give the bike a wipe down

Before you put your bike in storage, you should wipe down its frame with a soft, damp cloth. Doing so will help to remove any dirt, oil or grime from the body of the bicycle. If you do not remove these substances, they may cause the body of the bike to corrode. You should avoid washing your bike down completely using a hosepipe and detergent before placing it is storage. Doing so may remove lubricants from moving parts and may result in the water collecting in the nooks and crannies which could result in rust.

Add some air to the tyres

Over time, the tyres on your bike can gradually lose air pressure and become soft. While you may not think that this something you need to worry about while your bike is in storage, unfortunately, it is. If the books wheels are in contact with the ground, low tyre pressure can cause damage to the rubber grip on the tyre or to the metal wheel itself. Before you place your bike into long-term storage, you should add some air to your tyres to ensure they are fully inflated.

Add lubrication

Once you have wiped down the bike, you should add a little lubricating fluid to the gears, chain, and the braking mechanism. Do not overdo it. If you add too much, you will create an environment which will attract dust and other debris. A few drops should be sufficient.

Remove parts from the frame

Finally, you should remove the parts of the bike which are attached to the frame. Doing so means you do not need to worry about the leather seat deteriorating and removing the handle bars and pedals can make it easier to fit your bike frame into the storage unit. If you have room within your home, you may also wish to remove the wheels in order to save space in your storage unit.

If you would like to find out more, you should contact a storage unit for further advice.