If it stays dry, I'm only worried about theft. Clean and lube the drivetrain a little more than you think necessary and it'll be in good condition when some street person jumps into your yard at 3 AM and steals it.
Luckily our backyard is locked up pretty tight and to get to where the bike is would not be easy, I’ve lived here for years without anyone going back there. I don’t think you can even tell it’s there unless you’re in the house which would be a bigger issue lol
No it's not.
I used to think that.
Ignore my experience at your own peril.
The only safe place for a bike is indoors. In your house/apartment. Not your "secure underground parkade". Unless you own a 40 year old bike or a Wal-Mart clunker.
Just the overhang is probably enough. I would only put a tarp over if the bike is bone dry to begin with. Otherwise it would just impede evaporation. All my bikes live in an open sided shed.
I’m forced to park my good bike outside at work. I use two U-locks and a a cheap bike cover. The cover keeps the sun and rain off but perhaps more importantly discourages theft. No one can see how it’s locked or really what it is without obvious snooping. The bottom is open so it airs out.
I left my commuter outside for 2 years exposed to the elements and it's fine. It's definitely gained some rust but I prefer it that way because I leave it locked up frequently. I put on a KMC rust buster chain and clean/lube it about every 2 weeks which has kept the chain nearly rust free until late winter when the salt finally got to it.
My bike is outside in a courtyard as long as it isn't below 0°C for more than a few hours (at night) and dry. When it's freezing and raining or snowing I bring it into the basement (usually a few weeks at most in a year). But it's a bit of hassle to get a bike down to the basement in my building and not something I want to do twice every day.
My bike gets wet when it rains but I have no problems at all. I just do normal maintenance. And I always have a microfiber cloth with me in case I need to dry the saddle.
If it’s covered and secure, it’ll be fine. Just give it a little more effort to checking everything fine before riding though.
Even mild damp can mess things up a bit
If it stays dry, I'm only worried about theft. Clean and lube the drivetrain a little more than you think necessary and it'll be in good condition when some street person jumps into your yard at 3 AM and steals it.
Luckily our backyard is locked up pretty tight and to get to where the bike is would not be easy, I’ve lived here for years without anyone going back there. I don’t think you can even tell it’s there unless you’re in the house which would be a bigger issue lol
No it's not. I used to think that. Ignore my experience at your own peril. The only safe place for a bike is indoors. In your house/apartment. Not your "secure underground parkade". Unless you own a 40 year old bike or a Wal-Mart clunker.
Just the overhang is probably enough. I would only put a tarp over if the bike is bone dry to begin with. Otherwise it would just impede evaporation. All my bikes live in an open sided shed.
Okay cool! Thank you!
Hang it from the roof over your bed.
Better yet bike gets the bed I’ll sleep under the tarp
You had a tarp? https://preview.redd.it/1v0gbeu8mooc1.jpeg?width=852&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3936faa79095b7f5947f5641f7966ab53d1859bb
Don't use a tarp, it traps moisture and condensed water underneath. Religiously lube that thing and it will be fine under the overhang.
I’m forced to park my good bike outside at work. I use two U-locks and a a cheap bike cover. The cover keeps the sun and rain off but perhaps more importantly discourages theft. No one can see how it’s locked or really what it is without obvious snooping. The bottom is open so it airs out.
So you're saying it's a surprise mystery box :o *gets his angle grinder*
I left my commuter outside for 2 years exposed to the elements and it's fine. It's definitely gained some rust but I prefer it that way because I leave it locked up frequently. I put on a KMC rust buster chain and clean/lube it about every 2 weeks which has kept the chain nearly rust free until late winter when the salt finally got to it.
I keep mine outside, under an overhang, with a kryptonite lock and velocycle insurance against theft. 3 years running no problems
How much is the insurance and what is the deductible?
Depends on location but I got coverage for $1800 bike for $100 for the year with a $200 deductible. The lock was more expensive...
My bike is outside in a courtyard as long as it isn't below 0°C for more than a few hours (at night) and dry. When it's freezing and raining or snowing I bring it into the basement (usually a few weeks at most in a year). But it's a bit of hassle to get a bike down to the basement in my building and not something I want to do twice every day. My bike gets wet when it rains but I have no problems at all. I just do normal maintenance. And I always have a microfiber cloth with me in case I need to dry the saddle.
If it’s covered and secure, it’ll be fine. Just give it a little more effort to checking everything fine before riding though. Even mild damp can mess things up a bit