Storing a bicycle outside?

misterPK · 30 May 2008 at 11:16

Does anyone else keep their bike outside under a tarpaulin or something similar? I don't have a garage or a garden shed so I was wondering if this is a good idea for long term storage or if anyone has had some bad experiences with it.

PK!

SeriousPigeon · 30 May 2008 at 11:29

Shouldn't be too much of an issue. Just make sure you don't let it rust, get some bike lubricant to protect it.

aproctor · 30 May 2008 at 11:29

bad experience? tarpaulin or plastic sheeting would be fine, make sure its locked up though.

Mobius 1 · 30 May 2008 at 11:41

i tend to spray my chain with silicon spray, keeps the moisture off so its less like to rust. (well, so the old boy says)

platypus · 30 May 2008 at 11:43

No way I'd leave my bicycle outside

.

The Dread Pirate · 30 May 2008 at 11:57

Build a shed useful for both bike storage & place to hide from the brutish realities of this foul year of our lord 2008

waso_dude · 30 May 2008 at 12:00

From working in a bike shop for over 4 years and having this question atleast 3-5times a week here are the main point imho:

Keep it covered. - Specific Bike covers are availble for about £30 and are bike shaped.
Lube the chain well and properly and do often - Don't use WD40 ect, get some decent teflon based wet lube. I highly recomment Finishline Wet Lube.
Keep your bike well serviced - Get the cables lubed ect. All bearing points greased often. Every 6months in the UK is about right for this kind of service.

For security - if you can get a bolted to the floor dead lock. Then get a decent U lock to lock this to it.

Should cover it all. If you are having a bike outside 24/7 its all about maintainence to make it last.

misterPK · 30 May 2008 at 12:33

Thanks for the advice guys. We do have one of those plastic garden storage box things, but it falls apart at the slightest breeze so I only just about trust it to store the rubbish old lawn mower and the set of Vauxhall hub caps that the previous tennants left in there.

It's a fairly old bike and not in the best of conditions, so I'm not that worried about it, but I'll give it a good dose of lube when I get it out of storage at my parents garage.

PK!

Ben M · 30 May 2008 at 12:55

*awaits "BITCHES STOLE MY BIKE" thread*