Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Storing bike with hydraulic brakes
#1
Does anyone have any definitive proof that upside down storage of a bike with hydraulic disc brakes is harmful? I've done it for short times (changing flats on the trail), but never long term. My cousin hangs his bike upside down for storage without any ill effects, but he might not know any better.
  Reply
#2
I think if you have any air in your reservoir (which you shouldn't anyway) it'll cause problems when hung upside down.
  Reply
#3
(10-27-2010, 09:12 AM)dave_sd Wrote:  Does anyone have any definitive proof that upside down storage of a bike with hydraulic disc brakes is harmful? I've done it for short times (changing flats on the trail), but never long term. My cousin hangs his bike upside down for storage without any ill effects, but he might not know any better.

As strange as this might sound, if there is no leaks there should not be any problem.
Good maintenance to your Bike, can make it like the wheels are, true and smooth!
  Reply
#4
When disc systems first came to market in the 1990s, we had 'open' and 'closed' systems. 'Open' is like the brake fluid reservoir in your truck with air in it. This type is pretty much obsolete for bicycles these days, though a few still exist. Your truck was not designed to be upside down. With an Open system, air from the master cylinder can migrate over time, as bubbles, into the hose or even into the caliper piston. While this will not render the brake useless, it is not a pleasant experience. Feels "mushy". Early Magura's come to mind.
Todays 'closed' systems use bleeding procedures and tools designed to minimize any entrapped air.
With that said, I still do not recommend extended storage of ANY hydro-equipped bike upside down. Vertical storage, with levers (supposing that the master cyl is at the lever) upward should pose no problem.
As for the time spent fixing a flat? No sweat with either.
Wheelies don't pop themselves. (from a QBP fortune cookie)
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
3,834
10-01-2019, 06:43 PM
Last Post: Painkiller

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Gandolfi "Super" model 1985-86 racing bi...
Yesterday 01:33 PM
How I used to clean my bike
07-03-2025 04:43 PM
Cassette shifting Problem
07-03-2025 02:51 PM
Continued learnings from bikepacking
07-02-2025 04:50 AM
What are the pros and cons of using a 26...
07-02-2025 04:46 AM
I got new Tioga FASTR X Tires (Ask Me An...
07-02-2025 01:31 AM
Attack // Force tire style narrow front ...
07-02-2025 12:55 AM
The great thing about trikes
07-01-2025 11:10 AM
Doctors are Prescribing Cycling
07-01-2025 10:40 AM
How to improve cycling endurance? I've h...
06-30-2025 06:27 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
21 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
18 posts
no avatar 3. Jesper
14 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
14 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
11 posts