Fifty Plus (50+) - Metal Shed for the Bikes?

I'm moving soon, and my three bikes will take up a lot of precious real estate in the new house. Once again, no garage. The "yard" isn't much either -- just a small space around the house maybe 10 feet deep on the sides and back.

But I'm thinking of getting some kind of small shed for the bikes (or at least two of them). Anyone do this, and have a recommendation (or warning)?

What I'm thinking of is something like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100027479&categoryID=502627

So you're surrendering the dining room bike storage area and repair shop? WIMP!

So you're surrendering the dining room bike storage area and repair shop? WIMP!

Yeah, but I'm gaining a beautiful wine rack. Can't complain too much!

Yeah, but I'm gaining a beautiful wine rack. Can't complain too much!

I figured.

I can't say about San Deigo but the thing I'd be concerned about here would be moisture condensation.

8 x 3 would not be big enough for the "N" factor. In fact it could be a struggle if you upset the girlfriend and have to sleep in it aswell. 10x 16- insulated and power laid on. Works for me.--Just about.

I'd be more concerned with the longevity of the metal sheds. I got one of the wooden shed kits (8x10) and it's lasted longer than amy of the metal sheds in my neighborhood. Most of the metal sheds look and work fine for about the first 6 months. After that, the doors don't work smoothly; the storage shed then becomes more of a storage lean-to, with one or both doors left open because they're too hard to open and close. After about 9 months or so, they've collected a fair number of dents (typically from the inside, where something's fallen over). The longest lasting one I can recall lasted 4 years; by that point, it was a mass of loose screws and rusted panels, just waiting for a minor wind to collapse. My wooden shed, on the other hand, is about 12 years old. It requires a paint job about every 2-3 years, and has had to have the hasp replaced twice due to breaking & entering attempts (sometimes it's good to have a neighbor with a barking dog!). Retro Grouch is right about the condensation problems; I wish I'd added one of those rooftop ventilator units to mine. We typically have 90% or higher humidity levels in the summer; everything in the shed is usually damp, if not outright wet, for weeks at a time. I'm thinking about adding some sort of vent panels in the gable ends and possibly even one of those rooftop turbine ventilators to mine (but I've also been thinking about adding all that for the last six or seven years, so it probably won't happen again this year!).
- Bob

I have a Rubbermaid storage shed I use for bikes. Easy to install, maintenance free and will hold 4-5 bikes. If you move you can disassemble and take with you.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c30/uowenba/DSC01488.jpg

Have to agree with rdmir. Wood is a better proposition. Better sound insulation- Better ventilation- looks better.

One of my neighbours had a metal shed- The sound of Seagulls landing on it was like someone bashing a dustbin. Windy weather caused a problem on opening the doors after a couple of years and direct sunlight used the get it too hot to touch- even in the UK.

I have a Rubbermaid storage shed I use for bikes. Easy to install, maintenance free and will hold 4-5 bikes. If you move you can disassemble and take with you.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c30/uowenba/DSC01488.jpg

Are those doors sli8ding or hinged? Does the shed come with a base or is that something you have to construct.

Are those doors sli8ding or hinged? Does the shed come with a base or is that something you have to construct.

The doors are hinged and it comes with a base. I installed it about 8 years ago.

This calls for a loft bed. Mattress above, bikes below.

bro i put a rubbermaid up at work for my bikes locking is the only thing ..imho
cheers

You can't use a metal shed for bike storage. It must be constructed of Oak or Maple hardwood with redwood shingles. The doors must have hand carved decorations depicting scenic vistas and lead glass windows. Shutters are required with each window. Shutters may or may not be functional but must meet decorative requirements. The roof must sport a weather vain. A functional bicycle rack with space for the maximum number of bicycles to be stored in the shed must be placed 5 feet 4 and 3/4 inches to the right of the doors so there is never any danger any of the bicycles falling over while the doors are opened or closed. A supply of clean water must always be available so the bicycles may be properly washed before storage in the shed.

bro i put a rubbermaid up at work for my bikes locking is the only thing ..imho
cheers

I replaced the locking setup that came with the shed. I installed a hasp from the inside and use a Master lock. I've never had any problems but I also live in a low crime area and my backyard isn't easily accessible from the street.

. A functional bicycle rack with space for the maximum number of bicycles to be stored in the shed must be placed 5 feet 4 and 3/4 inches to the right of the doors so there is never any danger any of the bicycles falling over while the doors are opened or closed. A supply of clean water must always be available so the bicycles may be properly washed before storage in the shed.

Forget the water- Just leave outside for an hour and wipe dry.

And on the bike rack- In an enclosed space like a shed- you will be limited by size of the shed. Far better is to clear the living room. spread a couple of sheets over the table and you have the perfect bike accomodation. And TV and Drinks cabinet could not be handier.

Far better is to clear the living room. spread a couple of sheets over the table and you have the perfect bike accomodation. And TV and Drinks cabinet could not be handier.

I think that you might be overlooking the major premise. DG needs to get his bikes out of the living quarters or he won't be allowed to fully enjoy his beautiful wine rack - ever.

Here's an interesting option....

Bikeshed (http://www.shelter-systems.com/bikeshed.html)

I stored many bikes in an outside (wooden) storage shed without problems, in Santa Cruz, CA. During the wet winter months I did open the shed when the sun was out. Ride them regularly and there will be no probs.

Here's my vote:

http://i30.tinypic.com/4kwxvn.jpg

"The Bike Castle."

$6,799.

The little guy is an optional extra; he will guard your bikes 24/7.

I have a couple of rental properties with the small metal sheds and they are a pain. They rust, the doors don't work well and they leak. I like the one Beverly recommended. You may need to do a little upgrading of the locking system. How are you with tools? :bang: Oh, never mind ,you could get someone to put a heavier hasp on it. The folding one you attached the link to looks like it might not make it through a thunderstorm. :eek:

I like the looks of the Rubbermaid one also. If I ever have to replace my shed, I'll definitely be checking those out in a lot more detail. It's good to hear that they're long lasting!
- Bob

I have a Rubbermaid storage shed I use for bikes. Easy to install, maintenance free and will hold 4-5 bikes. If you move you can disassemble and take with you.



Do you have to burp it to keep your bikes fresh, or is that Tupperware? :D

My metal shed must be a special one - 13 years and just now getting ratty. Takes a little maintenance, but the doors work etc. In the next few years we'll either build a workshop/store in that area with extra storage, a real 2 story garage, or another small retirement house with garage and let the kids have this one. But that shed was a real bargain. Gambrel roof.

If you are close to power you can keep a light bulb on in the shed and it will heat up the shed just enough to keep it dry. Used this trick on my sail boat and dock box. You could setup a small heater on a timer and build in a small vent on the roof and cycle the heater on and off to keep things dry...

If your area has a lot of rain or gets regular evening dew then a shed is just a moisture collector unless you add a heat source and proper venting. Something like a couple of 60 watt light bulbs or a low power electric heater to keep the insides more warm than the outsides will work. And shuttered vents for the summer to let out the moist air that'll condense inside from the coolness of the ground unless you build it on a slightly raised floor pad.

Do some places get evening dew? In MN, we get dew in the morning....

Bev, that rubbermaid shed isn't totally airtight, is it? You'd think there would be lots of little air leaks which would help with condensation?

Wood is real.

Back in the 80's we bought a home that had one of those metal sheds in back, it was nearly new & my dad installed a wooden floor and vents near the peak of the gable ends. My Raleigh Sports commuter spent nights there along with our garden tools. I don't know the brand, but the shed was still in good shape 7 years later when we sold. It was different from the ones I see now, lt had hinged doors & a really heavy durable coat of paint(maybe powder coated?). Don

decent bicycles are way too valuable to store in a lousy backyard shed.
full-sized, dehumidified, and heated wooden storage structure or the bicycles should go inside the house.

Do some places get evening dew? In MN, we get dew in the morning....

Bev, that rubbermaid shed isn't totally airtight, is it? You'd think there would be lots of little air leaks which would help with condensation?

No it's not airtight. I've never had any problems with things rusting in it. It doesn't keep out small snakes either:eek: I keep lawn and garden equipment in it year round.

I originally used it to store the bikes I kept for the grandkids but have since sold them. I keep my bikes in the garage since I ride them year round.

I don't know what the building restrictions are in your area but you might check into any type of permits required for adding a shed to your property.

I live in a city with strict building codes. Anything requiring a foundation, wood, cement, etc, requires a city permit. I was able to get around this because the Rubbermaid storage shed doesn't have any type of foundation. It simply has a hard rubber floor and I installed in directly on the ground. Had I built a foundation for it I would have needed a permit and inspection.

I had to get a permit when I built a dog house at my other home because I built it on a deck and the 4x4's were installed in the ground with cement. I didn't feel like I wanted to deal with the inspectors this time:mad:

+1 Metal shed is a rust magnet, everything inside will rust, unless you take steps to deal with it. (Earlier suggestion to put a light bulb in it will help a lot).