Anyone use a bike cover?
#1
Thread Starter
Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
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From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
Anyone use a bike cover?
Just picked one up, I like to keep my main commuter right outside my front door so I can grab and go.. seems like a good option to have it ready for wet days too. I don't think it will work for my work and school ends though, perhaps a plastic bag over my brooks? So anyhow, who else has these things and do they like them/do they work?
#3
Jedi Master
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Lake Forest, IL
Bikes: https://stinkston.blogspot.com/p/my-bikes.html
I used to do volunteer work in a less affluent part of town and locked my bike up in front of the police station and put a cover over it. It never got stolen, which is nice.
#4
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Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
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From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
Hmmm, were bikes often stolen in that part of town? Campus is kind've a cesspool, work not so much.
#5
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
perhaps a plastic bag over my brooks?
So anyhow, who else has these things and do they like them/do they work?
the heavy Plastic bag over the Leather brooks saddle works well. I dont bother with a fitted bike cover ...
on Wet Bike tours where I was wearing rain Pants and so forth, I just left the bag on the saddle .
now I live in a wet place , I just put a different ' Pleather' covered Saddle on.
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-14-14 at 12:08 PM.
#6
Jedi Master
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Lake Forest, IL
Bikes: https://stinkston.blogspot.com/p/my-bikes.html
I honestly don't know if bikes were often stolen in that part of town. Probably not. Mine wasn't. Maybe the cover just made me feel better about leaving the bike locked up outside. It has been a very long time since I lived on a college campus, but when I did, I rode an extremely crappy bike that cost less that the price of a bike cover. It got stolen by the way.
#7
Thread Starter
Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
I honestly don't know if bikes were often stolen in that part of town. Probably not. Mine wasn't. Maybe the cover just made me feel better about leaving the bike locked up outside. It has been a very long time since I lived on a college campus, but when I did, I rode an extremely crappy bike that cost less that the price of a bike cover. It got stolen by the way.
#9
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Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
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From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
#10
I kept a plastic sheet over an outside bike for awhile, but one problem with that. Water condensed under the sheet anyway and without any airflow it never dried out. So just plastic or a tarp isn't very helpful. Maybe if it had vents, or you're in a less humid environment, but I went back to bagging the seat and handlebar.
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
When I lived in a townhouse I parked my bike on the patio and used an outdoor grill cover for three winters. It tied at the bottom and it held in moisture (bad) and seemed to collect leaves up inside, too. Fifteen years later I just realized I could have kept my bike inside in the basement. MUST BUILD TIME MACHINE......
#12
Thread Starter
Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
Day 2 Report: We got rain here (thank goodness) and I had my cover on, the bottom leaves the tires at the bottom of the rims exposed.. which is fine since it seems to allow the cover to breathe, the water all beaded off the cover no pooling on it.. I'm fairly happy with it at this point. Unknown on school/work tests.. I don't often have to leave my bike outside at either.
#13
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I like using a cover for my commuter bike, it keeps it nice and dry and that certainly saves me time in the morning. The trick is to leave a big enough gap at the bottom to allow for ventilation. Only took 6 months to work that one out...
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,690
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From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
I used one for a couple years when I had to park my bike outside at work. (Left the cover in most of the time, only pulled it out when it looked like it might rain.) Nice to come outside to a dry clean bike.
FWIW, I think mine was the Performance. Make sure you use the velcro closure at the bottom if it's windy...
FWIW, I think mine was the Performance. Make sure you use the velcro closure at the bottom if it's windy...
#15
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I used a tarp at first but by midwiner it became obvious it was smarter to bring the bike in when I got home. for me that meant down the rear bulkhead stairs to the basement, it was a minor hassle but I got used to it and the benefits were great. frozen brake cable housings that prevent shifting is no fun
#17
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
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From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
my dad gave me a motorcyle cover but I have used it on camping trips before. Although when I rode the GAP this year I did not bring it. My bags were full and it was non essential. i just laid bike under my hammock/ tarp and that kep most of the dew off of it. Car camping i have brought it though.
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