Storing a bicycle is not as obvious as it might seem. You need to take care of maintenance, but also, above all, safety. With our tips, you’ll learn what to keep in mind when keeping your bike in the basement.
To begin with, it’s a good idea to take care of your bike’s maintenance. Properly carried out, it will avoid a number of later unpleasantness. First of all, don’t forget to wash your unicycle. All you need is soap or dish liquid and a sponge. This is the simplest and safest method. In addition, for cleaning hard-to-reach places, it is worth getting a special deformable brush. Finally, you can use a product that creates a protective film. Also take care to inflate the wheels, clean and lubricate the bearings. It is important to oil the chain and loosen the derailleurs so that they do not stretch.
Try to keep your bike in a dry and warm place. This is because a humid environment promotes rusting. So to be safe, before putting your unicycle in the basement, you need to make sure it is well ventilated. If you have concerns, you can use a hygrometer. It is assumed that the humidity should be between 30-65%. When you find that the level is too high, heating blowers or condensation dehumidifiers can be useful for dehumidification.
In addition, when you are in the basement, you can open the window wide to take care of ventilation. A great way is to buy silica gel, which will absorb excess moisture. This will not only prevent rusting, but also the formation of fungi, mold and unpleasant odors.
A unicycle can take up a lot of space. This can be especially troublesome if you have a small basement. In that case, it’s a great idea to install a hanger or holder. Once hung, you will not only save valuable space, but also reduce the risk of bruising your bike. On the market you can find mounts for one or more vehicles, wall or ceiling mounts. You have a range of materials to choose from, making it a solution for every budget. It’s a good idea to choose a rubberized mount to reduce the chances of scratching your bike’s components. Before buying, pay attention to the maximum load capacity of the chosen hanger, its color and size.
You hear a lot about thefts from stairwells, cells and even balconies. Also, when storing your bicycle in the basement, you need to keep a few things in mind to minimize the danger of break-ins. The key is to have a burglar-proof door, preferably at least Class C, with two locks. Of course, replacement involves costs, but it will save you a lot of stress. It’s an investment for years, which is unlikely to exceed the value of a new bike.
However, there are times when you can’t afford to replace the door, and your current one is padlocked. Make sure in such a situation that you have an arbor security device with approvals. In addition, if you have a window in the basement, try to make sure it is protected by thick rebar. Finally, it is a good idea to fasten the bike itself with a U-lock against the frame and a stable, thick tube.
main photo: unsplash.com/Andrik Langfield
