6.
BIKE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE
6.1
TRANSPORT BY CAR
The best and safest way to transport your bike is in your car. Here, your bike is perfectly protected from the elements and from theft. Yet there are some things you should bear in mind:
• When exposed to direct sunlight, surfaces can get very hot inside a car. Carbon parts must be covered or protected from direct sunlight.
• Carbon parts are extremely sensitive to pressure. When stacking up parts, e.g. putting wheels onto a frame, the parts must be well padded. Many manufacturers offer special wheel bags for their wheels.
In this way, the wheels are perfectly protected during transport.
• If the wheels are removed, a transport lock must be fitted between the dropouts of the frame or fork and between the brake pads of the disc brake.
6.2
TRANSPORT ON A HITCH OR ROOF RACK
Rear bike racks with clamps for top, down or seat tube are not suitable for carbon frames. The clamping force of the clamps may damage the carbon structure. Rims must be padded before fitting lashing
straps or ratchet systems. When transporting several bikes on one hitch or roof rack, please make sure that there is sufficient space or padding between the bikes. If you want to transport bikes with carbon
wheels on a hitch rack, please make sure that there is enough distance between the exhaust pipe and the wheel. The minimum distance is 45 cm behind the exhaust pipe and at least 20 cm on top. Please
also note the user manual of the bike rack manufacturer.
6.3
BIKE STORAGE
You should park your bike using an appropriate cycle stand which ideally only holds the rear wheel. Make sure to check the tire pressure when the bike has stood for a long time. You should not park your bike
for longer with no air in the tires. Another alternative for the secure storage of your bike is to hang it onto a hook that is padded or covered with plastic or rubber. If you use a tubeless system, you should
remove the sealing fluid from the tire when parking your bike longer than three months. Some sealants contain ingredients that increase corrosion and could thus damage the rim.