Bicycle Mechanics - Preparing a bike for outside storage/waterproofing?

Hey guys, I have a specialized hard rock sport disc 29er and I am debating bringing it to college with me, problem is there is no place to store a bike that is covered, and I am on a 5th floor dorm, so storing it in my room will be only during the winter.

1. Is it even viable to set up a bike so it can withstand the elements without it getting damaged.
2. If so what all do I need to do to get it waterproof'd, Type of chain lube? Is there anything I would do to the frame, derailleurs, brake disc's, calipers, shift levers and brake levers? I apologize its a lot to explain, I just really haven't been able to find a definitive answer.

I wipe, clean, re-lube chain on a regular basis with finish line wet and that's about it for maintenance.

The frame is aluminum, so that won't rust, but the chain, and most of the bolts will; lubing will help to a point, but if left exposed to the elements, corrosion will win, the discs will probably also show rust, but this will be removed after your first stop.

Would be more concerned about the bike being there if leaving outside, is the storage solution secure?

I hate to say the solution for you is to buy something, but it is. I would recommend a folding bike...

Don't worry, it'll be stolen long before the weather gets it. My bike was stolen while I was moving in freshman year. My new roommate was supposed to be guarding it--strongly suspect he was the thief, after getting to know him better. I'd keep the nice bike well-locked in the room or at home and get an ugly beater for campus transportation--rust will only enhance its anti-theft aura.
CC

Would be more concerned about the bike being there if leaving outside, is the storage solution secure?

There are bike racks EVERYWHERE, outside of each building, and I got a lock that i can loop through my front wheel and frame, so I'm not all too worried for that. Plus there are cops everywhere and tons of people use bikes here. I just think most of them aren't aware that bikes can get injured by the elements, and all the bikes around here are owned by first years so none have undergone much damage yet.


I hate to say the solution for you is to buy something, but it is. I would recommend a folding bike...

Unfortunately I do not have the budget for that, its either I prep mine for use or continue walking. I don't need a bike, but I would really like to have mine here, and seeing all the other people with bikes doesn't help either.

Is there no covered storage anywhere? At UMN, many of the bike racks are uncovered. But, there are a few here and there that are positioned underneath overhangs of buildings. If you have any doubt, look where the rain line is on the cement when it rains. You probably won't need your bike just to get back and forth to class, so you could leave it underneath an enclosure unless you needed to ride across town or something.

Is there no covered storage anywhere? At UMN, many of the bike racks are uncovered. But, there are a few here and there that are positioned underneath overhangs of buildings. If you have any doubt, look where the rain line is on the cement when it rains. You probably won't need your bike just to get back and forth to class, so you could leave it underneath an enclosure unless you needed to ride across town or something.

I have checked every bike rack near my dorm and classes, some are next to building's but NONE OF THEM have any overhang or rack cover at all. Trust me when I say waterproofing is my last chance if its even possible.

I have checked every bike rack near my dorm and classes, some are next to building's but NONE OF THEM have any overhang or rack cover at all. Trust me when I say waterproofing is my last chance if its even possible.

I see. I put a tarp over a bike when I had to leave it out one winter in undergrad. It's not convenient if you need regular access to the bike, but it's certainly waterproof.

I see. I put a tarp over a bike when I had to leave it out one winter in undergrad. It's not convenient if you need regular access to the bike, but it's certainly waterproof.

I thought about that, but I would feel like a complete looser taking out a tarp and covering it constantly. Plus if I did when I thought it would rain there would be times it didn't look like it was going to rain, and then when it starts the bike would get wet anyway. Also a large tarp over a bike I think would target a bike soo much that I think it would be messed with.

"..but I would feel like a complete looser taking out a tarp and covering it constantly."
If you think keeping your bike dry makes you a loser, let it get wet.
"Plus if I did when I thought it would rain there would be times it didn't look like it was going to rain, and then when it starts the bike would get wet anyway."
Just convince yourself that the damaging rays from the sun are just as destructive as rust. Then you'll be motivated to cover it in all conditions.
"Also a large tarp over a bike I think would target a bike soo much that I think it would be messed with."
You just finished talking up the security you get from the lock and the cops EVERYWHERE.

I guess you have to decide which is more important to you-a complete strangers opinion of you based on you keeping your bike dry, or keeping your bike dry.
"

Cosmoline?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmoline

+1
I would recommend a folding bike...

"..but I would feel like a complete looser taking out a tarp and covering it constantly."
If you think keeping your bike dry makes you a loser, let it get wet.
"Plus if I did when I thought it would rain there would be times it didn't look like it was going to rain, and then when it starts the bike would get wet anyway."
Just convince yourself that the damaging rays from the sun are just as destructive as rust. Then you'll be motivated to cover it in all conditions.
"Also a large tarp over a bike I think would target a bike soo much that I think it would be messed with."
You just finished talking up the security you get from the lock and the cops EVERYWHERE.

I guess you have to decide which is more important to you-a complete strangers opinion of you based on you keeping your bike dry, or keeping your bike dry.
"
When I say feel like a looser I mean as in I'm the only one in the rack covering my bike with a tarp, all the people who think bikes can just take the elements would look and think that. And yes my bike is secure with locks, but it would attract attention. I know my locks are tough, but its just like that guy for the lifelock software. Even though I'm protected, I still don't want to advertise to the world "hey come see whats under here, it is probably nice." and in the case of that guy who was passing out fliers with his SSC and making billboards with it, he thought he was safe and he ended up attracting so many attempts and thief's that a few did get past him, and now hes broke.

I'm not making a thread to shoot down every suggestion I get, and any practical ones I will commend, I'm just posting why I can/or cannot use the posted solutions so further posters and viewers know that.


Cosmoline?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmoline

+1

Thats actually a decent idea, however I work with guns a decent amount and I happen to know how cosmoline works in actions and moving parts. Lets just put it this way, A properly stored and treated gun in an armory cannot have its bolt even opened. Comsmoline seals the gun from the environment, and pretty much from everything else.

Can you hang a storage rack from the wall? I know most dorms don't officially allow this, but they may turn a blind eye.

Can you hang a storage rack from the wall? I know most dorms don't officially allow this, but they may turn a blind eye.

There are plenty of storage racks which use no fasteners and won't mar walls. Would they be OK?

Wait a minute, why would you be able to only store the bike inside for winter?

Logically I would say if you can store it for winter, you can store it for non-winter :D
I know from all the dorms I have been to, no one cared if a bike went inside, in fact that was the preferred option when someone had a nice bike. Against the rules? Maybe but I am sure the RA or whomever has something better to do than look for bikes in dorms...

Most dorms also have privacy policies to protect students, so the 'authority' can't just come in whenever they want, but the trick is that you have to keep the door closed and secure. IF it is left open, they can come in.

Can you hang a storage rack from the wall? I know most dorms don't officially allow this, but they may turn a blind eye.
I have room on the floor to, but yea I cannot mount a rack on the wall. The dorm RA's wouldn't care, but in the end of the year when they inspect my room and compare with my original condition sheet they would see it had no holes before and I would get charged for it. But like I said I do have room for it on the floor.


There are plenty of storage racks which use no fasteners and won't mar walls. Would they be OK?
On a 29 inch mountain bike, no. Removable fasteners are usually limited to 5-10 lbs, and I don't know how I would hold a bike with that, I could use a ton of sticky pads on the back of some ply and screw in a mount, but again I have room for it in my dorm.


Wait a minute, why would you be able to only store the bike inside for winter?

Logically I would say if you can store it for winter, you can store it for non-winter :D
I know from all the dorms I have been to, no one cared if a bike went inside, in fact that was the preferred option when someone had a nice bike. Against the rules? Maybe but I am sure the RA or whomever has something better to do than look for bikes in dorms...

Most dorms also have privacy policies to protect students, so the 'authority' can't just come in whenever they want, but the trick is that you have to keep the door closed and secure. IF it is left open, they can come in.

Its ok for me to have a bike inside and all, but this is my main point:

I live on the fifth floor. So every time I decided I wanted to use my bike if it was in my dorm, I would have to take off the front wheel, wrestle it down the stairs, go into the elevator which it would have to be held vertically, and then bring it down. The elevators only go to even floor numbers. This is what I am trying to avoid, because it would be very very difficult and I don't feel like doing this twice a day. I was just trying to find if there is a simple, or even if it takes a few hours just a way to get the bike waterproofed or something so I wouldn't have to. Really I have 2 options at this point I guess, Cover it every night with a tarp, or bring it between my dorm. I'll have to think if I want to do either. Thanks for the input guys, any advice is help!

I live on the fifth floor. So every time I decided I wanted to use my bike if it was in my dorm, I would have to take off the front wheel, wrestle it down the stairs, go into the elevator which it would have to be held vertically, and then bring it down. The elevators only go to even floor numbers. This is what I am trying to avoid, because it would be very very difficult and I don't feel like doing this twice a day. I was just trying to find if there is a simple, or even if it takes a few hours just a way to get the bike waterproofed or something so I wouldn't have to. Really I have 2 options at this point I guess, Cover it every night with a tarp, or bring it between my dorm. I'll have to think if I want to do either. Thanks for the input guys, any advice is help!

Ohh right, I was going to address this issue, but I've forgotten to include the point. I am thinking this is a private uni, because there is no chance in hell that a public uni would have such a screwed up system. For one, it would be in violation of the ADA, and the elevator would need to be able to stop at every floor. In the off chance that it is a public uni, you can maybe stir the pot and see what comes from it. Chances are though that any changes that will happen will happen well after you've moved out. I still think bringing it in is the best option. A tarp might protect the bike but at the same time might be marking it for thieves to try and steal. Either way, I think both options have pros and cons. What other bikes are parked on the racks at the dorms btw? All beater bikes? Maybe you can try to park yours closer to the more expensive bikes if any are to be found.

Wow at some of the responses here... Most important question: do you plan to do serious mountain biking at school, or just ride to class and stuff? If you're just riding around, leave the nice bike at home and get something rideable on craigslist for <$25. Seriously, don't bother with a tarp or carrying your bike upstairs every day, or any of the other pain-in-the-butt solutions. You'll get sick of them, and your bike will end up ruined by the elements anyway. Or stolen.

This year I pieced a bike together for free, made out of two Huffys. Most of it is an old 3 speed. The fork is from a MTB so I can run a 26" MTB tire which is what I really need for the snow (I ride all year.) Tonight I just painted the whole mess flat black. I might not even bother locking it up this year. It's very ugly.

A bike that is easily accessible and doesn't need to be worried about will provide A LOT more enjoyment and real use than one you have to constantly screw around with.

To add on to that, I know the unis I have went to and visited leave notices at the end of every term on bikes left on campus that they will be 're-possessed' by the campus police and sold at auction. If this happens, I would show up and just bid on whatever bike for the minimum amount. Bound to snag one beat bike for super cheap, and should last the term. If it breaks, you can rinse and repeat!

I rode old used beater bikes since I was 3 until i got my specialized new. I LOVE riding it, and mis shifting problematic beaters drive me nuts. Most of the bikes in the rack are bad but on occasion I see guys with nicer bikes out there. It was raining 2 days ago and I saw a 2011 stumpjumper fsr expert carbon out on the rack getting dumped on. I was about to go to the shop and grab the oxy-acyt torch to cut it free and shelter it in my hall. Such an expensive bike!!!!!! WHO DOES THAT, WHY WHYYYYYY?????


I don't need a bike for transportation, I just wana ride mine around here, there's some cool trails and a lot of the 1 ways have cement berms to prevent flooding that I could really have fun with.

I used to leave my steel road bike outside 24/7 in a rainy, coastal town.
Clean and wax the frame.
If the bearings are cup and cone, pack them with as much grease as you can.
Use gease or copper anti-sieze on all metal-metal contacts (stem, seatpost, pedal threads, all bolts)
Use grease to prevent corrosion of QR spindles. Oil the QR actions.
When you replace your cable inners, grease them generously.
Use wax to protect exposed sections of cable and spokes. Use furniture polish sprayed onto a cloth: NOT the bike, wax will klll the brakes.
Put a large, tough plastic bag over your saddle, long enough to cover the seatpost clamp. Store the bag between your saddle rails when riding.
You could try chain wax rather than oil. You have to apply this in the warm. Once winter hits, you cant apply any more. You can buy chains which have a rustproof treatment.

Here's an indoor storage stand that will handle your 29er and leave no marks/holes in the wall:
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1023853_-1_1596009_20000_400245
It's freestanding, but I have mine against the wall. Although it's "officially" designed to hold bikes horizontally, I just hang my mountain bike by its front wheel from one of the top arms. Although I bought mine new, I bought a second one for $20 on craigslist in like-new condition (as they're hard to damage).

Consider keeping it in your room. If you're only using it for trail riding, you won't have to lug it up/down as much as if you were using it around campus. I'm not sure why you would have to take off the front wheel to move it, but then again, I haven't seen your building.

To protect it in the rain, MW's idea about a plastic bag to cover the seat down past the seatpost clamp is a great one, as usually, water gets into the seat tube and collects down around your BB. Some recommend drilling a small drain hole through the BB shell bottom if there isn't already such a hole.

Another good protectant for non-moving/rubbing parts is Boeshield T9. It goes on as a runny liquid and dries to a waxy coating.

I'd have another talk with the RA and maybe a campus security or physical plant guy about your issue. I'm sure they have seen situations like yours before. At my college, the solution was special permission to park the bike in the bottom level of the dorm stairwell.

fitted plastic covers are VERY cheap, i think i paid .99p for my last one, and they last quite well. at least mine do.

There are bike racks EVERYWHERE, outside of each building, and I got a lock that i can loop through my front wheel and frame, so I'm not all too worried for that. Plus there are cops everywhere and tons of people use bikes here.......

I hate to say this but you're dreaming in Technicolor if you think that this will slow down any sort of half determined bike thief. You're in an environment where you are totally predictable doing the same bike riding and parking pattern each week. And I don't know of many 29'ers that are not relatively new and likely set up with nice components. So I have to agree with those that say the bike will be long gone before weather takes it's toll.

The "right" way is to park your 29'er safely in the dorm room somehow, some way. And then only use it for longer day rides off campus. Your campus riding should be done with a beater bike that looks like rabid gerbils were give it for a chew toy. Now that doesn't mean you can't fix up the innards to make it a nice bike to ride. Just don't doll it up so it looks nicer than the other bikes on the rack. Then when rust has its way with the fasteners and exposed alloy you don't need to worry about it. Just keep the chain and rest of the moving parts clean and lubed on a regular basis so the riding is up to par. It's surprising how well a Wally World junk bike can perform if it's well tuned and maintained. Certainly well enough for getting from class to class. And it won't have the BLING! factor to draw the eye and you won't need to care if it gets a bit rusty in spots.

Regarding your bike lock, your description suggests that it might be flexible (cable or armored cable); if so, it'll be fairly easy to cut with bolt cutters. The U locks vary in the their construction and ability to defeat fairly low-tech attacks, but usually the bigger the "U" the easier the lock is to defeat because of leverage. I've read that a heavy-duty chain and a small disc lock are pretty secure. If you will be parking your bike in the same place outside, you can just leave the heavy chain and lock locked there while you ride, ready for your return.

There are bike racks EVERYWHERE, outside of each building, and I got a lock that i can loop through my front wheel and frame, so I'm not all too worried for that. Plus there are cops everywhere and tons of people use bikes here. I just think most of them aren't aware that bikes can get injured by the elements, and all the bikes around here are owned by first years so none have undergone much damage yet.



Unfortunately I do not have the budget for that, its either I prep mine for use or continue walking. I don't need a bike, but I would really like to have mine here, and seeing all the other people with bikes doesn't help either.

Well, my first bike at college lasted less than a week. Oh yeah, it was locked up, and there were cops everywhere. And the thieves had thousands of bikes to choose from. Turned out they stole several hundred that weekend. After that, despite the rules being against it, I took my bike up to my dorm room (fourth floor). Figured I couldn't afford buying a bike every week....

That bike lasted me the rest of college, no problem.

As far as a budget for a folding bike, I bought one earlier this year for $15.......

IMO the only way to weather-proof a bike is to replace every single bit of steel with stainless. Not viable.

Otherwise, the only thing that makes any sense (apart from using a beater of course) is a tarp. Of course, this would intrigue potential thieves, as has been pointed out. However, you could possibly get around that by using clear plastic.

And I certainly wouldn't feel like a knob protecting my bike from the rain like that; I'd say it's likely that some folks might be prompted to think about it and follow your lead.

I have thousands of miles on a 28 year old Schwinn. I commute year round in Seattle, and live on a boat moored in salt water. The bike lives on the dock. I cover my leather saddle in the evening and the bike is only indoors when I can sneak it into my office (on campus). I lube everything regularly and find rust to be an overrated hazard.

O_o

By 'lube everything regularly', do you mean, keep everything that will otherwise eventually rust covered in grease or oil?

I think I'd prefer a rusty bike.

O_o

By 'lube everything regularly', do you mean, keep everything that will otherwise eventually rust covered in grease or oil?

I think I'd prefer a rusty bike.

I lubricate ferrous, moving, parts; chain, derailleur pivots, brake bosses, pedals, etc.

I highly encourage you to heed the advice above. I have sent four kids to college and have had three bikes stolen from well lit, well patroled racks while seriously locked. I have tried everything to provide "decent" bikes to no avail. I even set one up with a really well used and rather ugly old Giant MTB thinking that while dependable, did not look worth stealing. The idiots that travel with these theft rings only look at frame and component brands. Your best bet, if you cannot store inside is to buy a cheap garage sale bike and tune it for dependable service. If you take the 29er, I will give you a 10% chance at best of keeping it.

Short term storage(couple months) Pledge furniture polish.....Long term storage(6 months or more) cosmoline.Best way to remove cosmoline is with steam/boiling water,the second best is with gasoline.

What's it worth to you to be able to ride your bike?

My kids all have reasonably nice bikes ($500-800) that live outside. There's no way for them to get the bikes in or out by themselves. There's no way for them to use the bikes as they were intenede, for transportation, unless they are parked in the rain. Watching them rust hurts my soul, but not as much as watching them sit unused inside my house, or, god forbid, driving my kids everywhere.

I say (theft issues aside) weatherized the best you can and accept some deterioration as the price you must pay for the convenience of riding your bike.

You should just "human up" and sleep with your bike in your room. I did it for three years, with my bike sitting right next to my bed. When my friends and I moved into apartments (on campus), we still brought our bikes up and down in the elevators/stairs. We made bike racks in our rooms/living rooms; I bought a commercial one and stuck it up, even though none of my roommates rode. One semester I had four bikes sitting in my living room, and I only rode one of them more than three times a week.

Unless you're riding around with a 5 pound chain lock or a short U-lock, someone is going to steal your stuff. Get rid of all your quick release stuff, use allen bolts or torx bolts. Make friends with the Co-op on campus, and with other MTB riders. They'll look out for your stuff, and you should look out for theirs. It works well that way.

You should just "human up" and sleep with your bike in your room.

Oh my god. Its not just your comment but all of them like this. Storage space in my dorm IS NOT AN ISSUE. Its the fact it is on the 5TH FLOOR and that the elevator only goes to 4 and 6. The hallways are small and cramped, as well as the stairs, just wide enough for my handlebars. My bike is a 29er, 21 inch frame, so I would have to take off my wheels to navigate it up and to my room. I am willing to do this during the winter before the snow and take it out in spring, but it isn't viable every day. I asked if it is possible to waterproof/outdoorize my bike so it could withstand the elements "IF IT IS POSSIBLE". It is not a feasible goal to keep my bike in perfect condition doing such, so it WILL NOT BE COMING UP HERE.

Chillax. It's hard for us in etherland to judge the situation like that when you don't include any photos of the hallway, stairs, bike, etc. We're all going off our own past experiences, which at college typically included a lot of taking bikes indoors and a fair amount of bike thefts. Since you'll probably still be interested in riding once you get there, keep an eye out for a semi-beater 26" mountain bike that you can leave outside or maneuver indoors.

If that is truly your only storage option I would get an inexpensive "one year bike" and consider semi disposable.
Trying to keep a nice bike nice under those conditions will just stress you out and end in heartache.

$0.02