Bike storage that keeps your bike ready to ride

Good bike storage means your bike is ready to ride the day you want it. A bike left wet in a shed comes back with flat tyres, a rusty chain and brakes that stick. Storing a bike well takes half an hour before you put it away, and a dry place to keep it.

Before you put it away #

Clean the bike and let it dry fully. Dirt holds water against the metal, and that is where rust starts. Then oil the chain, wipe off the extra, and change into the smallest rear cog so the gear spring is relaxed. Our guide to chain cleaning and oiling has the steps.

Charge the battery of an electric bike to about half before you store it, unless the maker's manual says otherwise. Store the battery indoors, away from frost.

Bike storage indoors or out #

Place	Good for	Watch out for
Inside your home	Dry and secure	Scuffs on walls; use a wall hook
A shed or garage	Space for several bikes	Damp; lift the bike off the floor
A covered space outside	Short breaks only	Rain blown in sideways, and theft

If you must keep the bike outside, use a breathable cover. A plastic sheet traps water underneath it.

Keep the tyres off the floor #

A tyre that stands flat on concrete for months can crack where it touches the ground. Hang the bike from a hook, or pump the tyres every few weeks so they carry the weight evenly.

Getting it back on the road #

Pump the tyres, wipe and oil the chain, and run through the quick safety check before the first ride. If the bike has stood for a whole season, a full bike service checks the parts that dry out while it stands, such as cables and brake fluid. If your bike lives in a shared space, Cycling UK's advice on locking a bike is worth reading too.