(08-25-2010, 12:27 AM)X-RAY Wrote: what if it has a suspension fork? my current ride was stored upside down (hung by the wheels) for a few years before i got it. the fork seems to be great, but i have nothing to compare it to.
Can't say I have the experience to know the answer beyond any shadow of a doubt, but I can chime in with what I think is common sense.
If the suspension fork seems ok, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Actually, something I would worry about more would be wheel quick-releases, if you have them; I can't help but think that hanging the bike by its wheels has to be pretty hard on those.
I've read some stuff about poorly-designed disc brakes causing quick-release wheels to come off the fork while riding, so the quick-release cams can't be the strongest things in the world. Hanging a bike by its wheels places all the weight of the bike in opposition to whatever holds the wheels on, so I'd keep a close eye on your quick-releases.
* When I mention disc brake issues, it has to do with the placement of the calipers. Specifically, if the calipers are almost directly behind the hub, the wheel-slowing force is applied in a downward direction, and that acts against the QR cams. Strong enough disc brakes placed in that position can overcome weak enough QRs and rip the wheel right out of the fork.
(08-24-2010, 07:33 AM)trevgbb Wrote: the main thing to watch out for is potential damage to items that will come into contact with the floor and carry the weight of the bike, ie, gear shifters, especially gripshift types, these are easily damaged, any fittings such as lights, computers, etc.
Thanks for the tip. I did make sure to remove the mirror part of a bar-end mirror and the headlight itself (though not its mount) before starting any of my work. Most anything else, I don't think I need to worry about, as it looks like the area covered by the grips takes all of the weight and nothing else quite touches the floor.