1. Washing and cleaning
Clean dirt and dust off your bike. It is best to use warm water, a soft brush and a cloth to avoid scratches. For stubborn dirt, you can also use some car shampoo. If you want to remove dirt with a pressure washer, make sure to keep enough distance between the machine and the bike to avoid damage to paintwork and small parts. After cleaning, place the bike to dry in the autumn sun.
2. Lubricate
Once your bike is nice and dry, it’s time to lubricate the parts. You can use silicon spray for this. Pay particular attention to the gears and chain. But the other moving parts, such as the suspension fork, should not be ignored. Doing this keeps residual moisture and humidity away and prevents rust.
3. Adjust the tyre pressure
Depending on how you store your bike, you should adjust the tyre pressure. For hanging storage, reduce the tyre pressure to about 1 bar for trekking bikes, for example. For standing storage, however, pump your tyres well so the rim does not press into the tyre.
4. Service
Who doesn’t know that feeling – when spring finally arrives and you are desperate to kick of the cycling season but your bike isn’t ready yet. Use autumn and winter to get your bike serviced by a trusted professional. Usually you will get an appointment faster during this time.
Also read our tips on how to get your bike ready in spring.
Electric bikes
To ensure you can enjoy your electric bike in the long term, you should remove the battery and spray the base and plug with penetrating oil (MoS2). Do not fully charge the battery and do not empty it completely, it is recommended to store it at about 75% full. This increases durability of the battery. If possible, you should also remove the display and store it at room temperature.
Cover
If you store your bike alongside your car in the garage, salt vapours may form. These will land on your bike and can cause rust damage. Therefore, storage in a basement or in an area separate from the car is recommended. In addition, we recommend covering your bike with a tarpaulin to keep the dust away.
Don’t forget about your bike completely
Even if the temperatures don’t make you think about cycling, you should still think about your bike from time to time. In both upright and hanging storage, turn the tires to avoid imprints on the rims. Check the tyre pressure too. In addition, you should apply the brakes several times so the lubricant does not dry out and the parts remain flexible. If you have a suspension fork, move it a bit so the liquid inside can be well distributed.
