Is it OK to store bike with hydraulic brakes vertically?

At the end of the day, as long as your bike is serviced regularly, and your brakes are bled often you can store your bike vertically.

steadyrack.com - Storing bikes with hydraulic brakes in a Steadyrack

What is the best estimate for the mass of a shed?

So how much does a shed weigh? Some sheds will weigh less than 100 pounds, and other sheds can weigh an over 2500 pounds. A wooden shed will...

Last updated Mar 13, 2018

What is the most economical way to heat a shed?

Halogen heaters – An energy-efficient option, halogen heaters use halogen elements instead of electrical coils. They require a bigger initial...

Last updated Jun 17, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

One of the questions we get asked a lot, is if it’s safe to store a bike with hydraulic bikes in a vertical bike rack, like a Steadyrack. A quick Google will yield several pages of cycling forums and blog posts debating this issue, so we wanted to set the record straight. First things first, what are hydraulic brakes? Hydraulic brakes feature a closed system of hoses and reservoirs containing hydraulic fluid to operate the brakes. When the brake lever is activated, a plunger pushes the fluid through the hoses and into the brake caliper, stopping the bike. These are the brakes of choice for many avid riders. Whether you’re a devoted cyclist, a casual commuter, or a weekend-only cyclist - your bike will need regular maintenance to keep it in top form. For obvious reasons, the brakes are one of the most important parts of a bike service. A well-maintained bike will have its hydraulic brakes bled often. Depending on how much you ride, experts recommend having this done every 6 months (irrespective of how you store your bike). If not used and maintained, hydraulic brakes can become ‘spongy’ or loose/soft. If the lever needs to be pulled a good distance before you feel the brake engage, this is a good indication that there are air bubbles in the brake system. If your bike has air bubbles in the brake line, then storing your bike vertically can transfer the air bubbles closer to the brake lever -leading to that spongy feeling. This will only occur if there are already air bubbles in the brake line. If you notice that your brakes do become spongy or soft at any time, this is a sign that they need to be serviced. Different bikes will have different recommendations on how best to bleed the brakes, so it’s worth popping to your local bike store if you’re not sure what’s best for your bike. We’d always recommend pumping your brake lever a few times after removing it from your bike rack, especially if it’s been stored for a while, before setting off on a ride. At the end of the day, as long as your bike is serviced regularly, and your brakes are bled often you can store your bike vertically. However, if you want to make your bike storage easy so that you can focus on testing out those brakes on the trails, look no further than a Steadyrack. Don’t just take our word for it, we asked major bike manufacturers SRAM and FOX if there was any risk to hydraulic brakes when storing your bike vertically - and here's what they had to say. "Storing the bike vertically should not create any harm to the brakes. The only issue the customer might face is the bubble created if the bike or hydraulic lines moves. A bleeding of the brakes should take care of that." - SRAM "When it comes to FOX products you would not need to worry about hanging it vertically. All of our forks and shocks are sealed so it wouldn't cause any harm to the product by doing this!" - FOX We also asked pro rider and Steadyrack ambassador Rémy Metailler to give us the lowdown on all things storage when it comes to hydraulic brakes. He gives us his thoughts below:

What is the cost of a small shed?

A small plastic shed usually costs between $300 and $1,500, while a small wood shed ranges from $600 to $3,000 or more.

Last updated Jun 4, 2021

How do you remove water from air vents?

How to Get Water Out of an Air Duct Turn off your humidifiers. ... Find gaps in your air ducts and seal them with a plastic tarp and tape. ... Put...

Last updated Aug 2, 2018

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

How often should I lube my bike?

Normally every 100-150 miles or once a week if you are riding most days on pavement in dry conditions. If you are riding mostly in dry conditions on pavement, you probably don't need to clean your chain every time you lube it.

bike.nyc - Bike Maintenance Tips: How Often Should You Lube Your Bike Chain?

If your bike chain is showing rust or squeaks while you ride, it’s definitely time to lube your chain. The good news is it’s an easy bike maintenance job, but how often should one do it? Well… it depends!

When should you lube your bike chain?

Normally every 100-150 miles or once a week if you are riding most days on pavement in dry conditions. If you are riding mostly in dry conditions on pavement, you probably don’t need to clean your chain every time you lube it. Aim to clean your chain every two to three lubrication jobs. For mostly dry riding on pavement, use oil-based lube. Tri-Flow, 3-in-1 Oil, Pro-Link are some commonly used lubes (not WD-40, it’s too light). Use an oil-based lube for winter salt/slush/snow riding as well. Lube and clean your chain after every ride if you are riding in wet, snowy, salty, conditions, or conditions where there’s more dirt and especially sand. If you are riding in dusty, sandy conditions, you can use dry or Teflon-based lubes, which don’t attract abrasive dirt and sand as much as oil-based lube does.

Why should you lube your bike chain?

That power from your legs when you pedal doesn’t move your bicycle on it’s own; you can thank your bike chain for that! Your bike chain transfers the power from your legs to the wheels so it’s under serious tension when you ride. Because it’s low to the ground, it can also pick up dirt, muck, sand, you name it. Regularly lubing and cleaning your chain will increase the longevity of your bike, and prevent that dreadful squeaky noise. 🥴