Will my new bike be weather proof when I'm not riding it?

[nigelnorris]

Hi, hope this is ok for a first post. I've been reading these forums for a while checking out advice I hope to follow when I buy my new bike in a couple of weeks time. And what a great site! Thanks to everyone for all the guides and info that's available Haven't been able to find an answer to this specific question though.

I've been riding a cheapy Halfords Apollo hybrid for a couple of years (before you say it, it was the best 100 quid I ever spent, hundreds of miles commuting and weekend trips along cycle paths, and never a fault, and it's got me enthusiastic) and now I've got the bug so I'm going to invest in a proper road bike for the commute and hopefully increase my miles, maybe even join a club and do some longer social rides at weekends. I've got a budget (by virtue of a ride2work scheme) of something like £650-£700, maybe a touch more. There seems to be lots of choice in that price range from Evans (Which I'm locked into by virtue of this particular scheme) so I haven't made up my mind exactly yet. Any recommendations very welcome!

But that's not really what I wanted to ask. Thing is up until now I've chained my bike up against a drainpipe in all weathers and not worried about it. Frankly I've not looked after it overly much apart from basic maintenance, if it's dirty well tbh it didn't look amazing to start with. Short sighted I know but you learn I guess.

Security isn't an issue (though as a side point are the tracker things I see advertised worth buying?), but what I'm really concerned about is how a (for me) expensive road bike is going to cope with sitting outdoors all day long getting and staying dripping wet. I'm not going to ride it in the dead of winter but I do expect to keep riding through autmn fogs and spring downpours. There is absolutely no alternative to the drainpipe, I'm stuck with that, there's no cover available, so what do I do? Can I get a cover of some sort? Do I need one? Are some brands more robust than others?

I'd be so grateful for any advice anyone might offer, thanks!

 

[col]

If your stuck with the drainpipe option, then Id get a flysheet type cover and use bungees to secure it over the bike, will do the job as far as rain is concerned. and welcome,

 

[nigelnorris]

Thanks for that. If I arrive to work in the rain would it be a good idea to put a cover on it while it's still dripping wet though? Are bikes in my price range robust enough to cope with sitting about wet for 8 or more hours at a stretch on a regular basis?

 

[col]

Thanks for that. If I arrive to work in the rain would it be a good idea to put a cover on it while it's still dripping wet though? Are bikes in my price range robust enough to cope with sitting about wet for 8 or more hours at a stretch on a regular basis?

Im not sure about leaving it for hours wet all the time, but if its kept regularly cleaned and lubed I cant see a problem. The problems will arise if you leave it too long before cleaning and lubing, then you will get top rust, and if left will get worse, so if your cleaning very regularly it shouldnt be a problem. Possibly?

 

[Tynan]

My early bikes used to be locked to an outside wall year round, don't recall any problems, bikes are waterproof after all

 

[nigelnorris]

Thanks again. Is what I needed to hear. Sounds like I'm just being prissy about it. Give it a month and I'll be chucking it about like the old one

 

[summerdays]

Depending on what the saddle is like it may need covering when wet. Mine always seem to let the water in, and then for the next few days I get a damp derrière even when its dry. So I usually have a bag tucked under the saddle for when its left in the rain.

 

[gavintc]

I know that you state that outside is the only option. Personally, I would not. A few years ago I lived in a very small place and put the bikes outside for a year. They never recovered. Both bikes became rusty. I am now in a city centre flat and my bikes live in the flat. Some people keep them in the bedroom, I have mine in store cupboard.

 

[nigelnorris]

I know that you state that outside is the only option. Personally, I would not. A few years ago I lived in a very small place and put the bikes outside for a year. They never recovered. Both bikes became rusty. I am now in a city centre flat and my bikes live in the flat. Some people keep them in the bedroom, I have mine in store cupboard.

Oh absolutely, it'll live indoors with me at home; it's just during the day at work that I was worried.

 

[HelenD123]

I stored mine outside for a couple of years under a plastic cover I got from Argos and it's survived fine. And that was without any maintenance (I wasn't riding it at the time).

 

[fossyant]

I've used a cover on and off for years for my road bike and MTB - I even had to carry it with me as the 'parking' was public. I'm lucky now in that we got a fully enclosed shelter in the Autumn.

Don't go too expensive though - loads cheap on ebay, as they will rip (gaffa tape is a good repair). Tuck at least one side under the wheels so it doesn't blow off.

 

[PashleyPrincess]

I store my commuter outside all year round. Initially I used a bicycle cover but it kept ripping and became very brittle after a few hard frosts. So someone suggested a motorbike cover and what a revelation. You can get these really cheap from Halfords (£20) and if you choose the option for small to medium (motorbikes) these provide a really good fit. They are elasticated at the front and back to fit snugly around the wheel and there is a hook in the middle section to stop the wind getting underneath and blowing it off. They claim to be waterproof, wind proof and protect your bike from UV damage as well. They even have vents to let the bike breathe (?). Additionally they aren't that bulky to store when not on the bike.

Best twenty quid I've spent in a while...

 

[nigelnorris]

A motorcyle one is a reasonable idea, thanks. Thinking about it bulk or weight doesn't matter. Since I'm the only one that uses the drainpipe every day I can just leave the cover in situ, secured by the chain I leave attached to save carrying that about too.