Bicycle cover? What should you choose?

If you don't have a shed, basement or garage / carport or can bring your bike inside - then it is outside - and exposed to wind and weather. Prolonged exposure to moisture (through rain and snow) and UV light (from the sun) can damage your bike - more than you might expect - it rusts, the color fades, your electronics are exposed to prolonged moisture. The solution is a bike garage or bike cover - a good bike cover is a cheap and effective way to protect your bike from sun and water damage, while keeping it clean and free of scratches.

An extra bonus of using a bike garage is that those with long fingers can't see what's written, and it suddenly takes extra time to take your bike - a great solution for cargo bikes combined with an alarm lock or something else that makes noise!

A bike cover doesn't have to cost a fortune - you can actually get some pretty nice bike garages / covers for little money. The biggest challenge is what to choose! And there are some simple tips that you can take into account if you want a good bike / cargo bike cover.

Avoid the cheapest ones

Like anything else you can buy, the cheapest ones are rarely worth the money. They may have all the features of the more expensive cases, but they are made with thinner materials that just aren't as durable or weatherproof.

What material is the bike cover made of?

The type of material a bike cover is made of is really important! It will determine how well the cover will withstand sun and water. Plus how durable it is against wear and tear. It will also have a big impact on how much it costs!

Almost all bike covers are made of polyester in some form. Often it is the blend ratio and thickness that varies between different bike covers and manufacturers. Thickness is measured by something called "denier", which is often abbreviated to "D". So you will see different polyesters described as 210D, 600D, etc. The higher the number, the thicker (and therefore more durable and weatherproof) the material. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers list the thickness of their bike covers.

There are a few things to keep in mind, however.

• First, none of the materials are completely waterproof. If exposed to enough rain or snow, they will all start to leak. However, the thicker materials will generally be more resistant.
• Secondly, keep in mind that the thicker the material, the heavier the bike cover, which can make it harder to get on and off your bike. So it’s definitely worth considering how often you’ll be using the bike you’re covering. If you’re using it every day, you might want a slightly lighter cover than if your bike will be under cover for weeks or even months at a time. That’s why bike covers that use a mix of thicker materials (in places most exposed to the elements) and thinner materials (in other areas) are great. They remain weatherproof and durable, while still being easy to handle!

Keep an eye on the seams.

A bike garage is sewn together and you need to pay attention to what holds the bike cover together. You want double-stitched and heat-treated seams to maximize tear and water resistance.

What size do you need?

Bike covers usually come in different sizes, determined by how many bikes they cover. While it may seem logical to buy a cover for one bike if you only have 1 bike, we would recommend that you go for a larger size as the smaller ones often have a tighter fit, making them harder to get over your bike, and sometimes they don’t reach all the way to the ground, leaving gaps that can increase your bike’s exposure to the weather. And then you haven’t even thought about the fact that you also have a bike basket/chair on which also “takes” some of the cover

A bike cover for 2 bikes - or an extra large (XL) - will be easier to get over your bike, it will definitely go all the way to the ground and at the same time gives you the option to squeeze another bike in if necessary or throw something else (tool box, bike rack, etc.) under the cover.

Lock holes

Not all bike garages offer easy access to lock your bike - so a recommendation is to always choose a bike cover with lock holes. Lock holes are often mounted at the wheels or on the side of the bike cover itself, so you can easily attach the chain lock to the bike. It's another layer of security. But you should also lock your frame to something to stop a thief just carrying your bike away.

Ventilation?

One thing you definitely want to avoid is a build-up of condensation inside the bike cover. This will defeat the whole point of a cover and still expose your bikes to moisture that can cause rust and shorten their lifespan.

Some bike covers are equipped with “ventilation flaps” or “vents” that allow air to circulate inside the bike cover, which will help reduce condensation and disperse any trapped moisture. They will not completely eliminate moisture build-up, but they will reduce it significantly. Also remember to read our maintenance and care guide .

Elastic or String!

If you choose a large bike garage - and even if it is for practical reasons - then it is best to have a tight fit around the bottom of your bike garage. Aesthetically it looks better, and at the same time, it minimizes the risk of moisture and dirt getting under the cover, and makes it less likely that it will be caught in a wind that could knock your bike over - or fly away completely.

Cheaper bike covers tend to have (or not have) elastic edges, while more expensive bike covers have one or more “elastic cords” that can be tightened (and loosened), giving you a bit more flexibility when putting your bike cover on and off. Loosening them makes it much easier to get the bike cover on and off your bike. And you have more control over how tight you want to tighten them once the cover is in place.

“Storm straps”

Some bike covers come with straps and buckles at the bottom that allow you to attach the two sides under your bike. This secures the bike cover to the bike, preventing it from being easily blown or torn off by the wind (or a person).

“Eyes”

Many bicycle garages are also equipped with eyelets - you can use the eyelets together with a string or a car elastic - you can use this to secure your bicycle garage so that it does not blow away or as "storm straps" to discourage theft.

There are many things to be aware of, but the most important thing: consider what you will use it for, and make sure it can do it.