Bike in storage for about 8 years.. what can happen?
03-28-15, 03:23 PM
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Bike in storage for about 8 years.. what can happen?
So, took a bike out of storage, that when it went in was in perfectly good condition 8 years ago.
What, if anything, should be of concern after this timeframe and needs checked, servicing or replaced?
What, if anything, should be of concern after this timeframe and needs checked, servicing or replaced?
03-28-15, 03:26 PM
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youd probably get more responses posting this in the mechanic section, but just lube all moving parts again, replace all parts that go bad over time. probably want to get new tires/tubes, lube chain, clean cassette and lube all cables.
03-28-15, 03:39 PM
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Possibly new brake pads.
03-28-15, 03:46 PM
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8 years isn't bad.
Are you talking about the Merlin Titanium, or something else?
If it is just a dollar store bike, I'd just ride it.
With the Merlin, how much riding do you anticipate? 5 miles? 5000 miles?
If you are really planning on going out and putting some miles, I'd repack the accessible bearings (hubs and bottom bracket) if they are cone and cup bearings. If they are sealed bearings, then just a good cleaning.
Possibly re-lube the rear derailleur jockey wheels.
Double check the derailleur adjustments.
Check the tires, and replace if you see significant cracking.
Then go out and enjoy.
Are you talking about the Merlin Titanium, or something else?
If it is just a dollar store bike, I'd just ride it.
With the Merlin, how much riding do you anticipate? 5 miles? 5000 miles?
If you are really planning on going out and putting some miles, I'd repack the accessible bearings (hubs and bottom bracket) if they are cone and cup bearings. If they are sealed bearings, then just a good cleaning.
Possibly re-lube the rear derailleur jockey wheels.
Double check the derailleur adjustments.
Check the tires, and replace if you see significant cracking.
Then go out and enjoy.
03-28-15, 03:52 PM
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Also note that lycra shrinks when kept in the dark so its likely you kit wont fit anymore.
03-28-15, 04:38 PM
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Tires and tubes are probably fine. If the tubes hold air they're good. Check the tires in case there were cuts you hadn't noticed 8 years ago.
Brake pads can "go bad" after a while, so might benefit from new, good quality pads.
Brake pads can "go bad" after a while, so might benefit from new, good quality pads.
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Last edited by Homebrew01; 03-28-15 at 05:01 PM.
03-28-15, 06:57 PM
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8 years isn't bad.
Are you talking about the Merlin Titanium, or something else?
If it is just a dollar store bike, I'd just ride it.
With the Merlin, how much riding do you anticipate? 5 miles? 5000 miles?
If you are really planning on going out and putting some miles, I'd repack the accessible bearings (hubs and bottom bracket) if they are cone and cup bearings. If they are sealed bearings, then just a good cleaning.
Possibly re-lube the rear derailleur jockey wheels.
Double check the derailleur adjustments.
Check the tires, and replace if you see significant cracking.
Then go out and enjoy.
Are you talking about the Merlin Titanium, or something else?
If it is just a dollar store bike, I'd just ride it.
With the Merlin, how much riding do you anticipate? 5 miles? 5000 miles?
If you are really planning on going out and putting some miles, I'd repack the accessible bearings (hubs and bottom bracket) if they are cone and cup bearings. If they are sealed bearings, then just a good cleaning.
Possibly re-lube the rear derailleur jockey wheels.
Double check the derailleur adjustments.
Check the tires, and replace if you see significant cracking.
Then go out and enjoy.
Thought I'd make it easy on myself and take to a LBS for some sorta packaged tune-up, so I'm trying to figure out some things to tell the LBS to watch out for; however, at the same time I don't want to be taken advantage of (eg.. "you need all new cables, breakpads, chain...", etc) if I tell them the 8-yr storage story. I have the bike up on a trainer right now, seems to shift fine. Breaks hard to tell on a trainer for obvious reasons.
03-28-15, 07:02 PM
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pump up the tires, lube the chain, and ride the piss out of it. That generation Chorus is great stuff, and it goes without saying that the frame is timeless. Enjoy! 
03-28-15, 07:03 PM
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It depends on how it was stored. In a garage or storage unit, there could be a lot of moisture that would corrode metal parts. If there was light, it could corrode rubber parts like tires and brake pads. If it didn't have these issues, then it might be fine. Lightly lube as needed, inflate tires and ride.
03-28-15, 07:10 PM
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It depends on how it was stored. In a garage or storage unit, there could be a lot of moisture that would corrode metal parts. If there was light, it could corrode rubber parts like tires and brake pads. If it didn't have these issues, then it might be fine. Lightly lube as needed, inflate tires and ride.
03-28-15, 09:31 PM
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Perhaps the one critical adjustment is the low gear stop on the rear derailleur. But otherwise it should be fine for a road test. And, if it was all tuned before putting it into storage, it should be fine when taking it out of storage.
Somewhere in the last decade or so stainless cables became more popular, but I'm one not to start replacing a bunch of stuff unless I'm sure it needs it, and you say it is shifting just fine
03-29-15, 10:57 AM
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Eight years is a LONG time for machinery to sit in stasis. Unless it was stored in a vacuum, there will be problems. These problems may not be immediately obvious.
If it were me, I'd tear it down, clean & inspect all parts, repack all bearings, lube all moving parts, retension the spokes; and rebuild with new cables, housing, brake pads, tires & tubes.
But that's just my strong sense of self preservation.
Otherwise, what's the worst that can happen if you just "pump up the tires and ride the piss out of it", as advocated by others?
Just don't go too fast.
If it were me, I'd tear it down, clean & inspect all parts, repack all bearings, lube all moving parts, retension the spokes; and rebuild with new cables, housing, brake pads, tires & tubes.
But that's just my strong sense of self preservation.
Otherwise, what's the worst that can happen if you just "pump up the tires and ride the piss out of it", as advocated by others?
Just don't go too fast.
03-29-15, 06:48 PM
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I vote for this response. I had a bike in storage indoors in a dark utility room for 18 years and I simply pumped up the tires and rode it no problems. Parts did break over the next year or so after I started riding it again but I enjoyed it. It's currently in storage again. LOL
03-29-15, 07:15 PM
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Im sorry, but I think your bike is toast. But, since I am a nice person, instead of letting you throw it away I will offer you 50 bucks for it
Ha
I'm sure your bike is fine. I pump it up, check the tires for any signs of dry rot, lube the chain, make sure the brakes close and open and take her for a spin. You'll know soon enough if something is out of whack.
^other than a tune up, that's exactly what the bike shop will do
Ha
I'm sure your bike is fine. I pump it up, check the tires for any signs of dry rot, lube the chain, make sure the brakes close and open and take her for a spin. You'll know soon enough if something is out of whack.
^other than a tune up, that's exactly what the bike shop will do
03-30-15, 06:11 PM
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Put air in tires, ride.....repeat.
03-30-15, 06:31 PM
#16
Portland Fred
As others have suggested, take it for a spin and see what it needs. New lube isn't a bad idea, and the pads/tires may be old or they may be OK.
Only one of my bikes is newer than 8 years and they get used a fair amount. They're fine. I suspect they wouldn't be in worse shape if they were kept indoors....
Only one of my bikes is newer than 8 years and they get used a fair amount. They're fine. I suspect they wouldn't be in worse shape if they were kept indoors....
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