How to prepare and store your bike for winter

Winter is fast approaching, and for cycling enthusiasts, this often means the end of the road season. Before storing your bike for the winter, it’s important to give it thorough maintenance. This not only ensures a longer lifespan but also helps avoid any unpleasant surprises when it’s time to take it out again in the spring. Here are some tips to effectively prepare your road bike for winter storage.

Deep cleaning

The first essential step before storing your bike for the winter is a good cleaning. Over your rides, dirt, sand, and mud accumulate on the various parts of your bike. To clean your bike, you will need a bucket of warm water, mild soap, a soft sponge (or cloth), a brush, and degreasing and lubrication products. You can also use a specific bike cleaner, such as Muc-Off high-performance cleaner.

1. Frame: Fill a bucket with warm water and mild soap (avoid harsh products like detergent or dish soap) and use a soft sponge or cloth to clean the frame (top tube, bottom tube, fork, etc.).
2. Wheels: Wash the rims and spokes with a brush. If the wheels are really dirty, you can remove them to clean them separately.
3. Chain and Cogs: The chain is the part that collects the most dirt. You can clean it by degreasing it with a specific degreaser, then use a brush to remove the dirt (see the degreasing and lubrication section).
4. Brakes: For disc brakes, it’s better not to wash them with harsh chemicals, but rather with water and a soft cloth. For rim brakes, gently brush the brake pads and rims.

Once the cleaning is done, make sure to dry your bike thoroughly to avoid moisture buildup.

Degreasing and lubrication

If the chain is very dirty, we recommend using a specific degreaser for chains. Apply it generously, then scrub with a brush or chain brush. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry it carefully. 

Once the chain is cleaned and dried, apply chain lubricant to the links while turning the pedals to distribute the product evenly. If you've used too much lubricant, wipe off the excess with a cloth.

We also suggest degreasing and lubricating the cables (for the brakes or gears) if you have them, to prevent rusting.

Checking the proper functioning of the derailleurs and transmission is also a good habit to adopt at the end of the season. If necessary, adjust them so the chain shifts smoothly across all the cogs. Don’t hesitate to clean or lubricate them as well.

Other things to check

Before storing your bike, check the tire pressure. If you don’t plan to use it for a long time, it’s better to slightly over-inflate them.
If the brake pads are worn or damaged, it’s advisable to replace them before winter. If you have disc brakes, also check the thickness of the discs. For rim brakes, clean the braking surfaces of the rims to remove any dust or dirt.
Inspect the bike’s screws, especially those on the handlebars, wheels, saddle, crankset, and brakes, to ensure that everything is properly tightened to avoid bolts coming loose during the winter.

Bike storage

If possible, place your bike in a dry, cool place away from humidity (a garage, basement, or storage room). Avoid leaving it outside in freezing or excessively humid conditions.

Did you know that we also offer a storage service?

For those who don’t have space at home to store their bike, we offer various storage packages so you can have peace of mind! This way, you can be sure that your bike will be stored in optimal conditions, ready to be picked up again when spring returns.