Storing bikes vertically - potential issues with suspension fork?

[eddy]

So I've reorganised the garage a bit to make space for a workbench - and the easiest way was to store the bikes vertically on the wall; ie: back wheel on the ground, front wheel on a hook, with both wheels against the wall.

 

So one of the issues that came up was that I had spongy front brakes overnight because the calipers are higher than the lever - I expexted this with the one bike which needs a bleed, but strangely it also happened to the other bike with very well bled brakes - anyway, I guess they need a bleed as well.

 

What I do wanna know, is if there are any potential issues with suspension forks being stored like this? The axle is slightly higher than the crown of the fork, so oil will gravitate naturally to the seals. I can't imagine there would be any issues, but I just wanna make sure because I'm not really keen for any surprises. Anything I should look out for?

 

There is a Fox 34, MRP Ribbon, and a Fox 32.

 

 

how about hanging them from the back wheel ?

[Me rida my bicycle]

My bike's have all been stored like that for years with no issues. A Scott dealer actually said it's a good thing to turn my bike upside down every now and then for the suspension. I have only had Fox and Rockshox so can't speak for the other brands and as long as I don't pull the brakes while they are hanging I have never needed to pump them.

[Grease_Monkey]

if the room you store the bikes in are warm, you might find some seepage pooling on the floor. My old trail bike is hung like yours, front wheel up, and during summer, i noted some suspension oil on the floor below the bike. maybe it was a sign I needed to service that Pike, but i had no suspension performance or leakage issues while riding the bike.

 

NB! point i forgot to highlight: the oil seepage occurred on the air spring side. I run fairly high air spring pressures,so perhaps that was the real driver given the heat I mentioned previously. Suggestion: depressurize the air spring before storing for long periods of time.

Good point you make there. Luckily the garage is ice cold, and bikes are used weekly. But I will keep that in mind if they are going to be standing for a while...

[Grease_Monkey]

how about hanging them from the back wheel ?

With the back wheel on the floor the majority of the weight is on the ground, and not the hook holding the bike up. When you hang from the back wheel the weight rests on thr front wheel, which is unstable and turns putting the weight on the hook... plus, it's a bit of a chore to hang from the back wheel, front is quite easy.

 

From all the replies it sounds like there will be no issues with hanging it from the front wheel - so I'm gonna go with that.

[Grease_Monkey]

No, the foam in the seals will wick the oil anyway, so it will get fully saturated even though half of it is in the oil.

Good point - didn't think of that. Sounds like it can only be a good thing then. Will just make sure the brakes are properly bled with no air in the system.

[porqui]

But you need to wash your bikes though.

[BSG]

That's what I do, also found spongy brakes when hanging by the front wheel. Since I've turned the bike the other way round, hanging by the rear wheel, I've never had that problem again.

how about hanging them from the back wheel ?

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[Grease_Monkey]

But you need to wash your bikes though.

 

Don't go and make this personal haha 

 

I've been sick/injured for the last two weeks, so been at home with not much to do but strip the bikes down and make sure they are very clean! They are taunting me, begging for some mud!

[BSG]

Don't go and make this personal haha 

 

I've been sick/injured for the last two weeks, so been at home with not much to do but strip the bikes down and make sure they are very clean! They are taunting me, begging for some mud!

I'm in the same boat, only I was on the truck for a month as the driver was on leave and then a month being switch bi%@#$ in the office. 

 

But from Tuesday I'm on 2 weeks leave, with one week being in the Cape area. With snow expected in the areas we're going to (Sutherland 2 days and Matroosberge 3 days) and I've got the kids at home with me as wifey will still be working, but from Tuesday I definitely need to put some cycling on the legs.

[dasilvarsa]

Turning the bike upside down 10 minutes to get a little oil to the foam wipers and seals is cool.

 

I would not store them like that permanently though.

The oil is meant to collect at the bottom of the lowers when the bike is not in use.

You might use too much oil too quickly. (There's only like 10 mils or so in there.)

Then there is the brakes issue on shimano brakes (don't like upside down).

A bike is meant to be stored in the same orientation as it's ridden.

[porqui]

Turning the bike upside down 10 minutes to get a little oil to the foam wipers and seals is cool.

 

I would not store them like that permanently though.

The oil is meant to collect at the bottom of the lowers when the bike is not in use.

You might use too much oil too quickly. (There's only like 10 mils or so in there.)

Then there is the brakes issue on shimano brakes (don't like upside down).

A bike is meant to be stored in the same orientation as it's ridden.

 

That's what logic says !

[Schnavel]

Stored my bikes vertically for years with no hassles.

 

The hydraulic brake system is meant to be a closed and sealed unit if bled correctly, meaning that no matter what orientation they are placed in, it won't effect the system.

[droo]

Stored my bikes vertically for years with no hassles.

 

The hydraulic brake system is meant to be a closed and sealed unit if bled correctly, meaning that no matter what orientation they are placed in, it won't effect the system.

 

^ This.

 

Also, if your fork gives uphill because you turned it upside down it needed a service anyway.

 

Open bath and emulsion dampers (RS Motion Control, Fox Evolution and older non-FIT, Manitou, Marzo) will behave a bit erratically for the first few compressions if they've been upside down for a while, but will return to normal pretty quickly with no lasting issues. The oil just needs to get back on the right side of the compression valve.

[Guest]

So I've reorganised the garage a bit to make space for a workbench - and the easiest way was to store the bikes vertically on the wall; ie: back wheel on the ground, front wheel on a hook, with both wheels against the wall.

 

So one of the issues that came up was that I had spongy front brakes overnight because the calipers are higher than the lever - I expexted this with the one bike which needs a bleed, but strangely it also happened to the other bike with very well bled brakes - anyway, I guess they need a bleed as well.

 

What I do wanna know, is if there are any potential issues with suspension forks being stored like this? The axle is slightly higher than the crown of the fork, so oil will gravitate naturally to the seals. I can't imagine there would be any issues, but I just wanna make sure because I'm not really keen for any surprises. Anything I should look out for?

 

There is a Fox 34, MRP Ribbon, and a Fox 32.

Very nice

[Odinson]

I've stored my bikes vertically for years and had no brake or suspension issues.

 

Says the guy riding a rigid fixie. 

[popcorn_skollie]

So I've reorganised the garage a bit to make space for a workbench - and the easiest way was to store the bikes vertically on the wall; ie: back wheel on the ground, front wheel on a hook, with both wheels against the wall.

 

So one of the issues that came up was that I had spongy front brakes overnight because the calipers are higher than the lever - I expexted this with the one bike which needs a bleed, but strangely it also happened to the other bike with very well bled brakes - anyway, I guess they need a bleed as well.

 

What I do wanna know, is if there are any potential issues with suspension forks being stored like this? The axle is slightly higher than the crown of the fork, so oil will gravitate naturally to the seals. I can't imagine there would be any issues, but I just wanna make sure because I'm not really keen for any surprises. Anything I should look out for?

 

There is a Fox 34, MRP Ribbon, and a Fox 32.

 

Dammit. Why didn't I think of mounting them at a 45 degree angle like that.