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Cold affects on a bike?

Old 11-17-08, 03:30 AM
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Cold affects on a bike?

Hey, I am going to be storing my mntn bike outside in a covered shed this winter, and was wondering if freezing temps will affect my bike in any way? the fork? thanks!
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Old 11-17-08, 03:39 AM
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I don't know about the fork, but I can confirm that the grease in hubs tends to get a bit thick at around -25c, and the hub might slip a little for the first km or so until things get warmed up and moving.
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Old 11-17-08, 03:53 AM
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yup, break, levels, steering, shifters, crank, any movable parts gets a real stiff feeling
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Old 11-17-08, 04:02 AM
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what if i am not using the bike in the winter? will it feel stiff in the spring?
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Old 11-17-08, 05:24 AM
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Originally Posted by GurrCentral
what if i am not using the bike in the winter? will it feel stiff in the spring?
No. It feels stiff as the grease hardens due to the cold. When it warms up all is a-okay.
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Old 11-17-08, 12:58 PM
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The free wheel can truely become a free wheel in both directions, if the pawls get frozen or the lube gets too thick.
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Old 11-17-08, 08:38 PM
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Hence the fixed gear bikes some winter commuters ride, myself included.
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Old 12-16-08, 07:39 PM
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Yeah, the cold does mess up my mountain bike. At the moment its about five degrees outside, and my bike feels very "heavy" and accelerates slowly, although that might just be me, my front shock is completely frozen, rear derailleur won't shift and my bike computer's display is extremely faint.
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Old 12-16-08, 08:47 PM
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Your bike will repay you for such callous treatment by flatting more. I suggest moving it into the bedroom where it really wants to be...you know you want it there to don't you???
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Old 12-16-08, 10:58 PM
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Right now my 150 sqft apartment is rocking not one, but TWO bicycles. I just have a tarp covering the floor, so when I bring in my snow/gravel/salt covered beater, I won't be throwing away my security deposit, =)
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Old 12-16-08, 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by GurrCentral
Hey, I am going to be storing my mntn bike outside in a covered shed this winter, and was wondering if freezing temps will affect my bike in any way? the fork? thanks!
Well tonight unbeknownst to me the cap on my front tire valve was frozen to the valve guts. I wanted to let a little air out for better traction but when I unscrewed the cap the entire works came out, - along with most of the air in the tire.

I think most of the problems come from stuff splashing on the bike and freezing. Just storing it in the cold won't hurt it. All the bikes I've owned for the last 40 years have lived in an unheated garage or shed.
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Old 12-17-08, 12:44 AM
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Consult with your bike shop regarding the shocks & hydraulic disk brakes. The rest of the bike will be fine.
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