Storing your bike inside your car - problems?

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2009-07-29 9:11 AM

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Extreme Veteran
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Fairfax
Subject: Storing your bike inside your car - problems?
I just bought my first tri bike on Sunday (don't worry, I won't spoil it for you, I'll be adding a pj0rn thread as soon as the fit is done on Friday), and it was properly tuned when I left the LBS.  I have an SUV, so I keep my bike stored inside my car while I'm at work.  I was planning on getting a ride in yesterday after work, but I ended up getting stuck at work and decided I'd go for my first ride this morning instead.  The temperature rose to 92 degrees yesterday so the inside of my car was extremely hot when I drove home.

Anyway, long story long, I went for my first test ride this morning and everything was all screwed up.  The front shifter wouldn't go into the big ring, rear cogs were ghost shifting, computer sensor wouldn't read the magnet, and I had this really annoying clicking noise the entire ride.  None of this was like this on Sunday when I picked up the bike.  Im headed back to the LBS today to get all this fixed.

Could the heat inside my car have caused the cables to stretch (and caused screws to loosen)?  I know cable stretch is common on new bikes, but I thought that was normally after 200-500 miles, not 0.  Should I crack the windows on days when I know its not going to rain?  Should I just take the bike inside my office building?  There is a place to store it, but I'm on the 10th floor so it's not exactly easily accessible.

2009-07-29 9:15 AM
in reply to: #2314669

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Master
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Cumming, Georgia
Subject: RE: Storing your bike inside your car - problems?

I've never had any issues with keeping my bike in my truck.  I will crack the windows and let some air out of my tires.  Maybe you pulled a cable when you took it out of your car?

2009-07-29 9:19 AM
in reply to: #2314669

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Fairfax
Subject: RE: Storing your bike inside your car - problems?
It's possible, it's times like this I wish I could do my own bike maintenance in case I do it again.  I do want to add that I've kept my road bike in there for weeks on end with no issues before.
2009-07-29 9:26 AM
in reply to: #2314669

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Pro
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Baton Rouge area
Subject: RE: Storing your bike inside your car - problems?
I doubt that the heat from a car would have caused this.  Now if the bike was stuffed into the car the deraileur(s) could have been bumped and thrown off.  I have put my bike in the cab of my truck several times with no ill effects.
2009-07-29 9:34 AM
in reply to: #2314669

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Expert
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Traverse Cityish
Subject: RE: Storing your bike inside your car - problems?
It's a new bike, cables stretch which is why you are having trouble hitting the big ring and the ghost shifting. Just take it back and have it adjusted and to find the clicking (probably related to the ghost shifting.) Who knows why the magnet/speedo is goofed, but they should fix that too.

As others have said, drop your tire pressure a bit if storing in the car during the day.
2009-07-29 9:39 AM
in reply to: #2314669

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Central NJ
Subject: RE: Storing your bike inside your car - problems?
I keep my bike in my jeep liberty with no problems. My windows are opened and I let some of the air out of the tires to prevent overpressure of the tires.  The guys at my LBS say there is no problem doing this. The only negitive I can think of is the bearings might need to be repacked more often if it gets REALLY HOT  in the car.

2009-07-29 9:42 AM
in reply to: #2314669

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Fairfax
Subject: RE: Storing your bike inside your car - problems?
Thanks for the tips guys, I never thought about the tire pressure, I'll make sure to do that.
2009-07-29 11:04 AM
in reply to: #2314669

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Champion
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Storing your bike inside your car - problems?
I live in Dallas, TX. The temperature outside the car on many days has been anywhere to 100-108 degrees... I leave my bike inside my car all day long... not parked in a garage... in the sun... (so you can guess the temperature inside the car is VERY HOT!)... and I have NEVER had any issues like you are describing.

The ONLY issue I ever had is when REI put two new tires and tubes on my bike... OVER INFLATED them...which caused them to expands and tear (two flats) because of the heat in my car.


2009-07-29 11:32 AM
in reply to: #2314669


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Subject: RE: Storing your bike inside your car - problems?
From what you described the rear wheel got bumped out of position, either getting it in or out of your vehicle. I doubt that the heat in the car would effect cables or anything else you are talking about.

How did you carry the bike in the car. If you laid it it on the side, wheels can get knocked out of position going over a bump.

I carry my bike all the time inside my Element with no issues, and it does get hot. I have a fork mount on the floor that lets me keep the bike upright. I also have a wheel mount to hold my front wheel. That way the bike does not get bounced around when I drive over rough roads.
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