61

I've got insufficient space to store my bike inside. I fear however that it will rust away within a few years if I store the bike outside. My question is twofold:

  1. Will storing a bike outside be a problem?
  2. What can I do to prevent rust and possibly other types of decay?
4
  • 7
    Where do you live - what kind of weather is the bike exposed to ?
    – Kevin
    Sep 22, 2010 at 11:57
  • 2
    what space do you have outside?
    – Ian
    Sep 22, 2010 at 12:07
  • @Kevin: My bike will stand in the rainy Belgian climate.
    – Dimitri C.
    Sep 22, 2010 at 12:14
  • @Ian: I'd like to put it in the garden alongside the house.
    – Dimitri C.
    Sep 22, 2010 at 12:18

10 Answers 10

36

A small shed seems like the best option if you have space–some insulation inside the shed would help stop condensation.

alt text

A bike kept outside will rust given enough time, its gears, etc. will also not like being wet all the time. Just as importantly, it is more likely to get stolen if it is just left outside, and I would always rather get on a dry bike than a wet/cold bike.

2
  • 4
    Depending on the budget (at least $400 to $500), a bike shed seems like a great option. If you have a lower budget and redneck tendencies, you could alternatively try to find a run-down van for a few hundred dollars on Craigslist. :)
    – amcnabb
    May 24, 2012 at 18:06
  • 3
    If you have some basic carpentry skills and some tools, it might not be difficult to build a small shed out of plywood/MDF for a lot less than they charge for the prebuilt ones.
    – Kibbee
    Jan 11, 2013 at 13:56
32

A tarp that fully covers a bike can provide some insulation and keep out precipitation. Don't buy a "bike cover"; they're overpriced, thin, and non-customizable. For an average-sized bike, an 8' by 10' (2.4 m by 3 m) tarp is enough to just reach to the ground. A weight of around 6 oz per square yard (0.2 kg/m²), or a thickness of around 8 mils (0.2 mm), seems to be ideal (standard tarps are around 3 oz per square yard (0.1 kg/m²) and 5 mils (0.13 mm) thick). In theory, silver colored tarps reflect more infrared than other colors and are better for insulation, but I'm not sure how much of a difference this makes in practice.

One of the most important things to look out for in a tarp is that the grommets are spaced no more than 18 inches (46 cm) apart. You can bunch up all of the grommets along each short end of the tarp and use cable ties to semi-permanently join these grommets. This gives the tarp a fitted shape and makes it fit nicely around the wheels. A good starting point is joining all of the grommets along each short end to a single point. Once you've tried this, you can experiment with tying grommets together in various configurations with cable ties to see if you get a better fit for your bike. You can also tie grommets to a bike rack, which can make it easier to get the bike in and out if you're riding it daily.

The following picture shows a fitted tarp on a bike. On the near side, the four middle grommets are tied together at a point, and the remaining two grommets (at the corners) are tied at a point just below. On the far side, all six grommets are tied together at a point and tied to the bike rack. The long sides of the tarp in the picture are folded in a bit; without folding, they just reach to the ground. With grommets spaced 18 inches (46 cm) apart, you have flexibility to customize the fitting.

A fitted tarp on a bike

In summary, if you get a tarp, get one with the following specs:

  • 8 by 10 feet (2.4 m × 3 m)
  • at least 6 oz per square yard (0.2 kg/m²) or 8 mils (0.2 mm) thick
  • grommets spaced no more than 18 inches (46 cm)
  • silver color (?)

and then tie grommets together with cable ties to give it a fitted shape.

EDIT:

As I've been using this for a while, I've noticed that air flow doesn't seem to be much of a problem in practice, so I usually let the sides of the tarp reach to the ground. The tarp is stiff enough that there are always a few small openings where air can get in and out but water can't.

15
  • 1
    post a picture or link to picture, pls Apr 29, 2012 at 6:56
  • 2
    It's important that the tarp NOT be tightly sealed, but be relatively open at the bottom to allow air circulation. The tarp is only to prevent rain/sun damage, and air needs to circulate to allow the condensation that will inevitably occur to escape. Apr 29, 2012 at 11:52
  • @DanielRHicks: That's a good point. It's hard to ensure that the drive chain is protected from the elements but that air circulation is maximized. It's important, though.
    – amcnabb
    Apr 29, 2012 at 15:54
  • 1
    I use these on my bikes as they're stored on a balcony. On either end there's a velcro strap so I can lower the tarp down over my bike and secure it with velcro through the spokes or frame so it doesn't blow away.
    – ynnekkram
    Jan 5, 2016 at 6:16
  • 1
    @BrianNickel, that seems about right, though you'll want to leave in a bit of slack. Since tarps only come in so many sizes anyway, you can just try one, and if it doesn't work, go one size bigger or smaller.
    – amcnabb
    Jul 8, 2020 at 0:07
7

Lube and wax. I know there are bike polishes that probably have wax, but I'd get the paste car wax that comes in a can. Really clean the bike, then use the wax on your frame, seat post, fenders (especially inside where they take a beating from road grime while riding), exposed metal, but NOT your rim braking surfaces. Put good lube on your chain. One guy I know who does a lot of randonneur riding in bad weather (brace yourself, this is a bit extreme) strips his chain of grease and grime, then dips it in melted paraffin. After it cools there are excess chunks of wax, but they drop off quickly. The point is he gets wax inside the pin bushings, which keeps his chain fairly water-resistant. Really lube your cables, or even better get teflon-coated cables. Your might want to put a cover on your saddle and handlebars, just watch out for condensation forming inside the covers which would defeat the purpose.

4

If the bike has a steel frame, make certain to be extra-vigilant about sealing any nicks or scratches in the paint. Steel will rust when exposed, given long enough.

2
  • 1
    A Quality Steel frame will out last the aluminium components in damp environments.
    – mattnz
    Jul 6, 2015 at 23:45
  • And the cables, shifters, and bearings are far more susceptible to weather damage than is a steel frame. Mar 29, 2017 at 21:15
3

Tarp sounds a good idea as the ready made covers seem to not have waterproof seams. Critical thing I wanted to mention is this: make sure your bike and cover are both bone dry before putting the cover on. If the bike is wet, a cover will CAUSE corrosion. A bit of moisure on the outside of the cover is ok.

2

If the bike has an aluminum frame, then the things to worry about are the steel parts: gears, chain, cables, and fasteners (bolts and such). All of these things will readily rust if exposed to constant moisture from being outside. Leaving the bike under an awning will help, but not protect it completely—a shed or other enclosure in the best bet.

2
  • You are correct about the components - however a quality steel frame will outlast aluminium on damp environments.
    – mattnz
    Jul 6, 2015 at 23:46
  • You failed to mention the cables. The cables go before anything else. Mar 29, 2017 at 21:16
2

I use the yardstash bike storage tent. Held up well for a year so far and ventilates to keep my mountain bike dry and rust free,

2
  • Looks like a good solution, but I wonder how you would secure the bike when it's in the tent. Since it fully encloses the bike, you couldn't lock it to anything, and the tent is only secured by a zipper. I guess if you have an enclosed yard with a high enough fence it would work.
    – Kibbee
    Jan 11, 2013 at 13:30
  • I don't use it but there's a flap in the back so you can run a chain into the tent and lock your bike to an external object. I keep my bike on my balcony so no need to secure.
    – Tim Cook
    Jan 11, 2013 at 16:17
2

I'd go the other way, and suggest that you do store the bike inside. If that means removing something else to make space, so be it.

Other options include a ceiling hoist, where you sway your bike up into otherwise underutilised space below the ceiling. Watch out for air hotspots, and you have to wipe down a wet bike first because of drips. I have also seen these used to store a bike safely over a car's bonnet (hood)

Think three-dimensionally!

1
  • 1
    Ceiling hoists are great, something like the stowaway would be perfect. My hesitance to installing them is we've a young child so it's not something I'd risk having hanging from the ceiling.
    – ynnekkram
    Jan 5, 2016 at 6:51
0

Tidy Tent is a zipped tent which can be secured to floor or wall - I've ordered mine just a couple of days ago... If you search for Tidy Tent you'll get more info. Hope that helps.

2
  • 3
    While this theoretically answers the OP's question, it would be better if you were to give an explanation of why Tidy Tents are a better solution than a simple tarp and perhaps provide a picture. Also, if you are in any way affiliated with Tidy Tents, you must declare it within your answer. Just fyi. bicycles.stackexchange.com/help/behavior
    – jimchristie
    Mar 10, 2014 at 14:48
  • 4
    At first glance the Tidy Tent doesn't appear to allow sufficient ventilation to allow condensation to evaporate quickly. Mar 10, 2014 at 15:29
0

I like the idea above about small shed. If you don't have a lot of horizontal space, perhaps a vertical version, hanging the bike inside, could be the solution. An important feature of any shed, is to have a floor, with the entire shed on supports, preventing direct contact with the ground. This will help prevent excessive dampness. If you have the space, and can allow for it in your budget, a small, regular storage shed would be great. This would give you space for other bike stuff, as well as a place for any tools & supplies, or stuffed bunnies[:-)

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.