Leaving bike outdoors?

WilcoYHF

Hi all,

Hoping to invest in a new road bike (Orbea Acqua T105) in the next few wks. I live in a quite small apartment and the missus will not be happy if I bring it indoors.

Are there any problems with leaving a bike outdoors? I'm not too worry about theft ill be getting it insured and I'm in a decent area (defo gonna come back and bite me in the arse!).

Is there a bike cover I can get like those motorcycle ones?

Squidgy Black

Rust, wet saddle, bird ****.

You're always gonna get people trying to rob bikes no matter where it is too, you can never be too safe.

Captain Havoc

just don't do it and at a guess, I don't think insurance covers bikes left outside usually.

Jawgap

Insurance is pricey if you want the full cost of your shiny steed covered.

WilcoYHF

Ha expected those answers!! Now to show the missus the good advice from experienced people!!

theflesh

Going to have the same problem myself. This looks promising - http://www.bikeparka.com - although they don't start shipping until next month.

eoghan84

I think it is impossible to keep a bike in good condition if you are leaving it outdoors. It will erode away faster and the bike covers up until now fail at some point.
Is there no way to speak to your missus?
if you could carefully park the bike against a book case or something so it won't mark the wall and maybe on top of a lino floor piece to stop the carpet getting dirty - also if you highlight to be careful walking by the bike so as to stop ankles hitting the pedals.

Plastik

I currently have two bikes in her apartment - one in the second bathroom bath and one in the spare room! I'll be down to just one this weekend though, getting the winter bike out of there and into hibernation until it's needed again.

HivemindXX

Leaving it outside is a terrible idea. Theft, vandalism, rust...

There are a ton of storage solutions which minimise the amount of space taken up by the bike:-
http://www.roseversand.com/products/tech/bicycle-standsholders/unmounted-standsholders/

You can also make a plan to remove the pedals and turn the bars sideways each evening to further reduce the impact of having it inside. Once the bike doesn't seem like such a scary thing to have in the house you can probably relax that idea.

One of those plastic floor runners to catch muddy water is a good idea too.

Lemag

Only €6.99 and could solve the OP's problem. If not, make space then by throwing out her shoes and handbags

Tonyandthewhale

Get a new missus, one who enjoys the finer things in life.

Squidgy Black

Women can be left outside and don't rust....

Lemag

stetyrrell wrote: »

Women can be left outside and don't rust....

They do moan though. Would it be worth it?

seamus

eoghan84 wrote: »

It will erode away faster and the bike covers up until now fail at some point.

I've stored my bikes outside for 3.5 years now and provided that you spend decent money on a cover you can't go far wrong. You also need as big a lock as you dare buy and something immovable to lock it to. A lock that you don't intend on bringing anywhere with you and that weighs more than the bike.

I've used the above cover now for over 2 years, the elements have never been a problem, and the cover is as strong today as it was when I bought it. Key is to keep as much of the bike covered as possible and use natural barriers to provide as much additional shelter as possible.

Two things are the enemy of your bike: getting completely drenched and morning dew. Both have the potential to wash into bearings and other inaccessible places and make **** of them. The above cover keeps both off the bike.

But storing it outside should be a "last resort" really. When I first moved into my place, the only place it could be stored was a carpeted hallway. Not a chance I'm bringing it in there after a rainy spin. We've changed to a wooden floor now but tbh the hassle of cleaning up after dripping oil and muddy water everywhere and scuff marks on the walls and so on means that I'm happier leaving it outside.

cloinsigh

Lemag wrote: »

They do moan though. Would it be worth it?

Well if she's outside with the door closed you won't hear her!:)