Storing your bike in a shed in the summer vs the winter

A bike shed is a great way to protect your bikes from the elements, come rain or shine. But we would recommend you don’t just put your bikes away and forget about them. Here are a few simple tips to ensure your bikes stay in good condition while they are stored year-round.

Storing your bike in a shed in the summer

If you’re not a year-round cyclist, it may mean your bikes are stashed away all winter. So start thinking about getting them ready for summer in spring. This means doing any maintenance that might be needed. As a minimum lubricating the chain and gear mechanisms, and checking the tyre pressures. You should also be checking your bike over from a safety point of view every time you take it out. We recommend performing an ‘M check’, which is a really good way of ensuring the most important parts of the bike are functioning properly and you’re safe to ride. Later in summer, you might be thinking about getting your kids’ bikes ready for cycling to school. A Bikeability course is a great way to give them the skills and confidence they need to cycle safely. These courses usually run during the school holidays.

Storing your bike in a shed in the winter

The most important thing to remember is that your shed is not a heated environment. In winter, condensation can form in cold sheds, which can cause your bikes to rust. The moving parts like the chain, chain rings, cassette and derailleurs are particularly prone to rust. So make sure you keep them well oiled with a suitable chain lube. It’s also important to make sure you clean any mud and dirt from your bikes before putting them away. Ideally they would be dry too but this isn’t always possible of course. When you do get the chance, if you’re out in your garden on a dry day, we recommend opening the shed doors and allowing the air to circulate and dry any condensation that may have formed. You can also take the opportunity to sweep out any cobwebs that may be in there. Spiders love sheltering from the winter weather inside sheds! Finally, changing temperatures in winter may affect your tyre pressures, so make sure you check them regularly.