Storing MTBs with hydraulic brakes vertically?

[TiminYorkshire]

Is it ok to store mountain bikes vertically for long periods of time, can it affect the hydraulic brakes?

We've just got some new ones and I'm wondering about both long term in the garage and short term on the back of the van.

[nickfrog]

That's fine. If there is a little air in the system it might migrate to the lever but that makes it even easier to bleed by doing a quick lever bleed. You probably won't need that anyway.

[SwissJonese]

I've only ever stored our bikes vertically in the garage for years. Zero issues with brakes. Actually seems to work better for the fork too as the oil is not sat at the bottom of the tube.

[Herer]

Completely fine in both circumstances for closed loop hydraulic systems

[OldGermanHeaps]

It depends. 3 of ours, no problems, kona coiler needs bled every time.

[missing the VR6]

Been storing ours on the wall in the garage for almost a year with no drama, 2 with Hope Tech 3 and one with SRAM Level T with no issues.

[GravelBen]

If there is any air in the system it can migrate to the highest point giving a soft front brake lever (as the front caliper is above the lever when vertical), but a few pumps of the brake levers once it's horizontal again brings the brakes back to normal with no issues. That's my experience with Shimano brakes anyway.

[TiminYorkshire]

Thanks for all of the above. It sounds like it shouldn't be the end of the world to have them hanging vertically.