Storing bike with hydraulic brakes
11-30-23, 12:39 PM
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Storing bike with hydraulic brakes
I need to store a bike with Shimano GRX brakes. It's most convenient to hang it vertically by the rear wheel. Is this likely to mess up the brakes? I think I've read you shouldn't turn the bike upside down but otherwise I haven't a clue. Thanks.
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11-30-23, 04:34 PM
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This will vary greatly on manufacturer and model.
11-30-23, 05:24 PM
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There are no guarantees. Even brakes that should not leak might, though most won't.
Rather than worrying possibly needlessly, go ahead and hang the bike, putting a drop cloth below just in case. Then check on it from time to time letting the results guide you for the long term.
Rather than worrying possibly needlessly, go ahead and hang the bike, putting a drop cloth below just in case. Then check on it from time to time letting the results guide you for the long term.
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11-30-23, 05:29 PM
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Thanks all, it's hanging. 
11-30-23, 05:40 PM
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A hydraulic brake system should not have air bubbles in the system, and storage position should not cause new bubbles to form.
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11-30-23, 09:35 PM
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Yeah if you get air in the system it is likely already there or there is a problem which you will notice. Typically after hanging a while you might need to pump the brakes a bit but they should "spring" back just fine. We hang bikes by the front wheels all the time with disc brakes of varying styles to no issue and at my old shop we had some that could hang for months and be fine.
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11-30-23, 10:50 PM
#9
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Never had an issue hanging a bike with hydraulic disc by the wheels. As mentioned before several times, if your brakes are soft from hanging, there was air already in the system. Air will always graduate towards the highest point in the system. It's just more notable when a bike is hung.
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12-01-23, 12:39 PM
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I found that after I transported a bike, wiith hydraulic brakes, on its side, I had to bleed the brakes to make it work right. No, it shouldn't have happened, but it did.
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