Hanging your bike

[Skeeter]

I've never thought of this before but my dad brought it up after buying Dell's bike.
Is it ok to hang your bike upside down for storing .
I have always done it, but was wondering if that hurt the fork or anything being fully extended and having the weight of the bike pulling opposite of normal. I hang my bike from hooks in the ceiling of my garage by the wheels. I never gave it a second thought, but is it ok???

[LBmtb]

From what I remembe reading, it's good for the fork since it gets oil on the seals and such but the brakes (if they're hydros) MIGHT have issues.

Don't go off my word though, I want to hear what Rob or another good bike mechanic says . . .

[Sprockethead]

The only negative thing I've heard of is, if you have hydraulic brakes, hanging the bike upside down could let air into the lines. That being said, I've hung my bikes upside down for years. Only recently have I purchased a bike with hydraulic brakes. The bike is going on 1 year and so far, so good on the hydraulic front.

[dirttorpeedo]

awhile back(years?) it wasnt good for the forks cause the oil wood end up in the wrong place.

[b-rad!]

As a mechanic, PLEASE DONT DO IT! Its ok to turn it over short term, like fixing a flat, adjusting der. etc. However, long term(ie. overnight, or more than a day) could lead to issues with the brakes and fork. Hydro brakes, especially an open system (Shimano, Magura, Hope), will almost always take in air. Obviously this is bad, and you will need a new bleed. Even closed systems can have pockets of air tucked in the caliper or master cylinder that would otherwise not affect your braking, but will break loose if given time upside down.
Forks can also leak over extended periods. While it sounds logical, storing upside down will not help your seals. Forks are designed to be run and cycled in the upright position as well as seals are designed so that they are lubricated as the fork cycles. Hanging will do nothing except cause oil to pool near the seals and possibly leak out. This can be exadgerated if there is dirt or grime under the seals, as it gives the capillary action of the fluid a bigger opening to creep through.

If you made it this far through the rant, thanks! Otherwise, let me summarize it all by saying this: Do Not store your bikes upside down if you have Hydraulic brakes or any kind of suspension.

B-Rad

[Skeeter]

Thanks

I have mechanical disks, so thats not an issue, but i do have suspension, Not Much, but some

[FyrFytrRyn]

i suspend my bike from the roof aswell. but i use 3 hooks in stead of 2.. normally people use 2, one for each wheel to suspend upside down. i use one to hold each grip, and one for under the seat.. so its suspended like it would be sitting on the ground... works for me.

[Evel Knievel]

Originally Posted by FyrFytrRyn

i suspend my bike from the roof aswell. but i use 3 hooks in stead of 2.. normally people use 2, one for each wheel to suspend upside down. i use one to hold each grip, and one for under the seat.. so its suspended like it would be sitting on the ground... works for me.

Niiiiicccce

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by FyrFytrRyn

i suspend my bike from the roof aswell. but i use 3 hooks in stead of 2.. normally people use 2, one for each wheel to suspend upside down. i use one to hold each grip, and one for under the seat.. so its suspended like it would be sitting on the ground... works for me.

Thats a good idea, i think im going to copy you, Thanks

[FyrFytrRyn]

Originally Posted by RSMLA

Thats a good idea, i think im going to copy you, Thanks

why not, every one else does... J/K!! what also works, loops of nylon screwed into the rafters, bike sways a bit but cheaper than hooks, i did that the first time because i had some webbiing lying around..