Storing the bike
 

So on Friday I head off to Newport, RI for 2 months of school then back to Hawaii for a week and possibly getting deployed for 6 months. So potentially I will be off the bike for the next 2-8 months and need to store it. What are some things I should do to the bike before storing it away for that long? It will be stored in a closet inside the house so it will be climate controlled, not too hot and not too cold. Thanks in advance.

Clean it so it doesn't get anything else in the closet grubby. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

The tires will probably go flat. That's abou it.

Hey, I was just visiting your town recently.

What everybody else said: Clean and lube it if you have time, but otherwise just lean it against a wall or hang it from something and walk away. Even the clean and lube are optional, because you're going to lube the chain before you ride again anyway.
I have half a dozen bikes, and last year I couldn't ride for eight or nine months because of a medical problem. All lmy bikes were on a covered but open patio exposed to temps from at least 100 degrees down to single digits. When I got clearance to ride again, I pumped up the tires, dripped some ProLink on the chains and pedaled away. No problems.

First off. I thank you for how brave you are. And what it is you do.....My respects to you, and if i saw you in person i would be honored to shake your hand sir.

2nd, dont worry about the bike....it should be fine. i would personally hang it, but even if its left next to a wall, it shouldnt hurt it at all. the other option is selling it. but that's on you.

Be safe where ever it is you get sent to. God Bless.

Drain the gasoline out of the fuel tank, change the oil, remove the wheels and put it up on blocks,
Oh,wait a minute, that's for a car.
Never mind.

Sing to it.

Don't wait for the tires to deflate and possibly ruin the the tire. Remove them before hand and hang the bike from the clothes rack in the closest.

I would take the bike apart and clean every single component - It will feel so much better when you finally get back on it with a fresh lubed chassis and no time wasted cleaning it.

2-8 months indoors.

I would do absolutely nothing to it. Swap the tubes when you come home.

Is this "advice" from experience or speculation?

Tires get ruined when deflated? Wow, those manufacturers and LBS's sure don't know what the hell they're doing when they store new tires, deflated and folded.

Experience from an unused MTB where the sidewall got pinched from pressure of the rim. Yes the MTB was surely heavier and it was on concrete, not carpet, but...and to qoute you:

If you are suggesting he swap them out anyways then why the f--k are you questioning me on suggesting he do it before he leaves?

Thanks for the advice guys. I will probably just put it away and once I get back give it a good tune-up before riding. Wish I could ship it to Newport to ride while in school, but can't justify the cost for only 2 months.

Anyone in the Newport, RI area know of bike shops that rent halfway decent road bikes?

what branch of service are you in.. im jealous of you. i wish the army only did 6 month deployments

I'm in the Navy. We are only scheduled for 6 month deployments, but they routinely get extended, but no where near the length of Army deployments. Would have to go on an IA to spend that much time on deployment.

Thank you for what you do. :beer:

tires do get ruined when left inflated to max press. everyday after every ride. Not for leaving them deflated, I'm sure that's what cyciumX was trying to say!