Bike Storage and Maintenance

You can keep your bike on its wheels but if you put it away for extended periods of time it is best to have the wheels off the ground.  When left for awhile, the air leaks out of the tubes and the tires become flat.  The weight of the bike presses down on the tire and can distort it or worse rot the tire on a cold damp garage floor.  Hanging your bike up by the wheels eliminates that problem.  As for the weight being stressful for the wheels!!!!  Think about it, both wheels can carry your weight without any problom so why should a bike weighing 20 lbs or so adversely affect them?  I prefer to hang my bike on a hook by the front wheel.  This takes very little room.

Fmiliarize yourself with the mechanics of your machine.  Get a copy of Zinn's Bicycle Repair book; it is practically a bible for aspiring young bike mechanics.  Always tighten what needs to be tightened or adjust any slight problem befor it gets to be a bigger problem.  And keep your bike, especially the drivetrain, clean and well lubed at all times.