To air, or not to air during storage
08-14-07, 05:46 PM
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To air, or not to air during storage
I have a bike that I don't ride, and probably won't for another year, so it is in the basement. I've been noticing that it is loosing air, the usual amount, and the tires will be pretty flat long before I want to ride it again. Is it bad for the tires to leave them flat while storing them, i.e. should I put some air in every couple of months so they don't go all floppy?
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08-14-07, 05:51 PM
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Fear not. Let the air do as nature wills it to do.
When you take it back out of dry dock next time, clean, lube, ensure that the tires look supple and okay (free from dry rot), inflate, ride.
Shouldn't be a problem at all....
When you take it back out of dry dock next time, clean, lube, ensure that the tires look supple and okay (free from dry rot), inflate, ride.
Shouldn't be a problem at all....
08-14-07, 05:55 PM
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The tire should be able to be stored without any problems. The casing won't break down or morph into something unusable.
You might want to consider where you are storing your bike. Storing it next to a freezer can cause the compounds to break down as the cooling system slowly leaks Freon into the air.
I'd be more concerned about corrosion inside the frame or on other metal parts due to humidity. Is your basement dry? Or damp?
You might want to consider where you are storing your bike. Storing it next to a freezer can cause the compounds to break down as the cooling system slowly leaks Freon into the air.
I'd be more concerned about corrosion inside the frame or on other metal parts due to humidity. Is your basement dry? Or damp?
08-14-07, 06:40 PM
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You want to store it with the wheels off the ground to. If they go down enough to look flat, the rubber can take a set and crack when reinflated.
Lots of sunlight is hard on the rubber to.
Lots of sunlight is hard on the rubber to.
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08-14-07, 08:09 PM
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It didn't blow out because of the tube but the whole casing at the tread line ripped open...exactly where the tire had been setting for all that time.A shame too. That was a new Conti TT and you can't get them anymore
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08-14-07, 08:32 PM
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I agree that you should keep the tires inflated enough to keep the them round if the bike is stored on it's wheels. If you hang it off the ground it isn't as important what's in the tires.
08-15-07, 07:21 AM
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You could inflate with helium and float it off the ground...
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08-15-07, 08:44 AM
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Absolutely try to hang the bike, even if by only one wheel and do not allow the tires to become flat if you have to store on the ground.
08-15-07, 09:11 AM
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Agreed. I was assuming that the bike would be hung. Bad idea on my part....
