Maintenance and care

When you have a bike cover, your bike is not just protected forever - your bike still requires maintenance and that you are aware of its condition. A bike garage does not mean that your bike will rust or that moisture will form under the bike garage itself. A bike garage protects but does not prevent this from happening - the more you pay attention to your bike and your bike garage, the longer it will last.

We have compiled a few tips for using and maintaining your bicycle/bicycle garage cover.

Dry and clean

When you store your bike, it is generally best that your bike is dry and clean - this way you avoid too much moisture and condensation forming under the bike cover itself.

Remember to check your bike garage / bike cover

Despite the fact that the material in the cover is for outdoor use and is waterproof, moisture can end up under a cover in various ways. For example, due to rising moisture from a damp surface, condensation due to a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the cover, or when the bike is not completely dry under the cover.

When using an outdoor bike cover and leaving it in place for a long time, we recommend that you regularly (weekly) check the condition of the cover. Remember to regularly check if your bike garage is drying out - especially if it is in a shady position.

Puddles of rainwater

Try to prevent puddles of rainwater on your bike garage as much as possible. After a heavy rain shower, always check for puddles of rainwater and remove them if necessary. Continuous water on the garage can cause water to slowly seep through the bike cover.

Make sure to ventilate

Ideally, use an outdoor cover for a maximum of a few days in a row. If you use a bike cover for a longer period of time, it is recommended that you take it off the bike for a few hours once every week or every other week to ventilate it, especially if it is during a rainy period - of course, take the bike garage off when it is not raining.

Despite the ventilation options, moisture can get/build up under the cover in many ways. Remember to ensure that your bike is dry before placing the bike garage over your bike again.

Avoid algae formation

Prevent algae growth by not placing your covered vehicle under a tree or next to a bush for extended periods of time.

Be careful where you park!

Always place your bike on a dry surface - or at least not on top of a puddle, as the moisture in a puddle can quickly evaporate and rise up and end up under your bike garage. We recommend that you turn your bike over regularly to avoid excessive discoloration on one side of your bike garage.

Beware of the wind

When you put a bike garage over your bike - you are making a sail - so make sure that your bike garage is securely attached so that it does not disappear - if you have the opportunity to place your bike in a sheltered position, that is clearly best so that it does not tip over so easily in strong winds.

When riding a motorcycle/scooter, we recommend that you use a stable surface, preferably out of the wind as much as possible.

Cleaning your bike garage / bike cover:

Brush off loose dirt with a soft bristle brush.

  • Only rinse the cover with clean water.
  • Do not use soap: it will damage the waterproof coating.
  • Remove stains:
    • Bird droppings: Rinse off with water as much as possible and brush away the rest with a soft bristle brush when dry.
    • Resin drops: Carefully skim off with a spoon. Wipe off the residue and then gently crush it between your fingers.

Patch tears/holes on your bike cover

It is not unusual or, for that matter, inevitable that something gets stuck in your cover when you put it on your bike - it could be the brake lever, the fender strut or something else - this can often cause a tear or hole to occur.

Tears and holes can also easily occur if there is moisture/water on your bike garage when it gets frosty, so the garage itself becomes stiff and can “crack” due to the ice/frost. We recommend that you patch them regularly - if you used a bike cover in Ribstop/tent fabric, you can use a tent repair kit to your advantage.

Storage for your bike garage

To keep your bike cover in good condition, it is necessary to store it clean and dry, for example in the included storage bag (if one is included) when you are not using your bike garage / bike cover.

Using a bicycle cover during transport

We recommend that you usebicycle garages / bicycle covers that are suitable for transport if you need to carry your bicycle in the back of your car / caravan. Should you still decide to use a traditional bicycle garage, we recommend that you secure it further with lashing straps or car elastics to prevent rapid wear and tear from flapping in the wind. Check the condition of the cover carefully after a few kilometers and then at every stop.

If you have a motorcycle, scooter or moped, you should also be aware of the following:

Cooling down

This is probably most traditional motor vehicles with combustion engines, such as motorcycles, mopeds and scooters, where applicable. But make sure you have cooled your vehicle down sufficiently before putting your cover on the bike. An exhaust can get very hot, so your cover can melt on the exhaust. Condensation can also form if the vehicle is not completely cooled down. You can prevent this by cooling down the car first.

Car paint/wax/coating

Has your car/motorcycle/scooter recently been sprayed or treated with, for example, glass coating or wax? Then make sure that the paint/(wax) coating is fully cured before using an outdoor cover. Sunlight can cause the temperature under the cover to rise high, which can cause blisters if the paint is not fully cured.