You’ve probably thought about leaving your bike outdoors and cover it against the rain, dust, and sun. You are, however, hesitant and asking, ‘do bike covers work?’
Bike covers are waterproof and U.V-protected to protect your bike against the sun and rain. They also cover your bike against the dust, leaving it clean. As a result, they boost the bike’s life.
Overall, bike covers do work, and their performances vary between brands. We’ll dig deeper into how they work and look at a few practical examples.
We’ll also talk about why you should get a bike cover and how to use it. Moreover, we’ll look at bike cover-related frequently asked questions.
Do Bike Covers Work?
Bicycle covers do work, and there is no doubt about it. Here are the answers to how they work:
1. Bike Covers Keep Rain and Snow Out for Being Waterproof
Bicycle covers come in waterproof fabric like polyester, oxford fabric, and heavy-duty nylon to keep rain and snow out.
Such fabric can withstand heavy downpours and snowfalls without falling apart. As a result, they protect the bike’s metal components from wetness that causes rusting.
By reducing the possibility of rust forming, bike covers boost the lifespan of your bike.
2. Bike Covers Protect Against the Sun for Being UV-Protected
Rain and snow aren’t the only severe threats to your bike’s lifespan. You should also be wary of the sun.
Too much sun weakens the plastic and rubber components of the bike, shortening its lifespan. Plus, intense sun exposure fades the bike frame, making it unsightly.
The good news is that bike covers are UV protected, and a perfect example is the Puroma Outdoor Bike Cover.
Such a fully enclosed bicycle cover offers you enough coverage against the summer sunshine.
3. Bike Covers Keep Dust off the Bike for Being Dust-Proof
A good number of bike covers also protect the bike from dust as they come in dust-proof fabric. They trap dust and prevent it from reaching the bicycle.
That’s very important, given that dust can interfere with the performance of the chain and drivetrain.
It also keeps it clean, which means little cleaning, and reduces costly repairs and maintenances in the long run.
4. Bike Covers Improve the Bike Security
Lastly, bike covers conceal your bike from plain sight, especially on travels. Most people will likely see a vast fabric outdoors but won’t know that what you are covering is a bike.
Other bicycle covers for traveling allow you to lock your bike outdoors and thus boost its security.
That’s the case with the TeamObsidian Transportation Bike Cover (View on Amazon), which doubles up as a storage and transportation solution for your bike.
So, Should I Cover My Bike?
Let’s face it;
The biggest threats to the performance and lifespan of your bike are outside. I’m talking about the rain, snow, harsh sun, and dust.
Rain and snow, for instance, attract rust build-up, which eats away and weakens the frame, handlebar, rims, and other metal parts, reducing the bike’s lifespan.
Dust, on the other hand, makes shifting difficult when it gets to the drivetrain and renders the chain ineffective. Additionally, it scratches the drivetrain’s components, wearing them out slowly.
As for too much sun, it not only fades the bike frame but also makes the tires, grips, and plastic components brittle.
Luckily, you can avoid all that by covering the bike.
So, cover your bike to protect it against the unforgiving weather and dust, and that boosts the bike’s life in the long run.
What Is The Best Outdoor Bike Cover?
Now that you know how effective bike covers are, here are three reliable bike covers on Amazon.
1. TeamObsidian Transportation Bike Cover – Best for Outdoor Bike Transportation
The TeamObsidian Transportation Bike Cover (shared earlier) is not just a waterproof bicycle cover but also a transportation bag for your bike.
The bicycle cover comes in a heavy-duty rip-stop fabric to secure your bike in transit and anywhere outdoors.
It’s also UV-coated to protect your bike against intense sun rays. Moreover, it’s waterproof to keep rain and snow out and dust-proof to keep the cycle clean.
This bike cover generally suits road bikes, BMX, city bikes, beach cruisers, hybrids, e-bikes and can hold up to 3 bikes.
2. Puroma Outdoor Bike Cover – Best for Outdoor Bike Storage
The Puroma Outdoor Bike Cover (also shared earlier) is a terrific outdoor storage bike cover that can take anything you throw at it all year long.
This bike cover is rainproof, dustproof, UV-resistant, and even windproof.
It comes in a 190T oxford fabric that gives it utmost weather resistance and toughness.
The Puroma Outdoor Bike Cover is also secure. It features lock holes that allow you to lock your bike in place while the cover is still on.
Thanks to its Velcro design, you can strap the bike frame and put everything in its accompanying bag for convenient carrying.
3. Maveek Waterproof Bicycle Cover – Best for Multiple Bikes
If you want an expansive bike cover for all your bikes, get the Maveek Waterproof Bicycle Cover.
Unlike most bike covers, this bicycle cover doesn’t look like it but just an extensive fabric.
So, your bikes are more likely to go unnoticed outdoors.
The Maveek Waterproof Bicycle Cover is made of high-strong and PU-coated 190T nylon that protects your bicycles against the snow, rain, dust, and sun.
It also enjoys a windproof buckle design to resist strong winds, and it comes with heat seams to offer protection against excess heat.
Find more waterproof, UV-protected, and dust-proof bicycle covers on Amazon.
How to Put a Bike Cover On
Here are general steps for putting a bike cover with a zipper on:
- Open the zipper on the bike cover and then place the front wheel first
- Lift the bicycle cover to fit the handlebars
- Then place the back wheel
- Lift the bicycle cover again to fit the bike correctly
- Close the zipper
FAQs
1. Do Bicycle Covers Work?
Bicycle covers come in waterproof fabric to keep water and snow out. The materials are also UV-coated to protect the bike from the sun.
Plus, most of them are also dust-proof and windproof.
What’s more, bike covers conceal your bike, reducing the risk of someone stealing it.
2. How Can I Cover My Bike Outside?
Here are the various ways you can cover your bike outside:
- Using a waterproof, UV-coated, and dust-proof bike cover
- Keeping it under a shed – either a DIY shed, a patio, or bike shed
- Using a waterproof tarp
3. Do Bike Covers Protect Bikes?
Bike covers are a cheaper way to protect your bicycle from the sun, rain, and snow. They also keep your bike clean by keeping dust away.
Furthermore, some allow you to lock your bike outdoors and keep it safe.
4. Are Bicycle Covers Any Good?
Bike covers are a cheap way to protect your bicycle from the rain, snow, dust, sun, and wind.
A good number of bike covers also allow you to lock your bike, while others also double up as the bike’s transportation bag.
The fact that you cover your bike also means that not everyone can know what’s under the bike cover. So, bike covers are a sense of psychological security.
5. Will Bike Cover Stop Rust?
A bike cover protects your bike from the rain and snow.
In doing so, it discourages wetness. And as you know, there must be moisture for rusting to take place.
So, yes, a bike cover can stop rusting.
Alternatively, you can stop rust by spraying an anti-rust spray like the WD-40 300038 Specialist Corrosion Inhibitor.
6. Is It Alright To Keep A Bike Outside?
It’s not advisable to keep a bike outside for more extended periods. For one, if you do it during the winter, the cycle will get wet and coat rust.
If you do it during the summer, the sun will make the tires, plastic, and rubber parts brittle and fade the frame.
And if you leave the bike outside at night, someone could easily steal it.
7. Which Material Is Best For Bike Covers?
Polyester offers the best bike protection and thus the best material for bicycle covers.
Polyester is not just waterproof but also wear-resistant and dust-proof. So, it protects your bike from bad weather and easy wear.
8. Is It Okay For A Bike To Get Rained On?
It’s not okay to allow your bike to be rained on.
Rain attracts rust, and rust weakens and eats away the metallic parts of the bicycle, shortening the bike’s lifespan.
So, if your bike has to stay outside, ensure you cover it.
9. Is It Bad To Leave Your Bike In The Sun?
The problem with the sun is that it weakens the plastic, tires, and other rubber parts, shortening their lifespan. The sun can also fade the bicycle frame.
As a result, it’s a bad idea to leave your bike in the sun.
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Closing Thought:
So, do bike covers work? As seen, bike covers work by protecting the bike from the bad weather and keeping it clean. In doing so, they boost the bike’s life and riding performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bike covers prevent bicycles from rusting?
Absolutely. If you’re in a situation where you need to leave your bicycle exposed to the outdoor elements for an extended duration, it’s crucial to keep it well-maintained. This would include ensuring it’s cleaned thoroughly, adequately lubricated, and importantly, shielded by a bike cover. Picture a scenario where you’ve just returned from cycling around a sandy beach, and tiny sand particles lodge themselves in various parts of your bike. If you neglect to clean it off and it rains the next day, rust could easily start to form. But if you had enveloped your bike in a cover, it would be far less susceptible to rusting. There’s kind of a sense of satisfaction when you peel off the cover after a stormy night and find your bike just as shiny as the day before.
Could a simple bike cover hinder theft?
It’s interesting how something as simple as a bicycle cover can make a huge benefit in terms of safety. The usefulness of bike covers extends beyond providing shelter from harsh weather. They actually can act as a stealthy protective feature against thieves. Regular commuters are all too aware of the frequent occurrences of bicycle thefts, creating an underlying sense of unease even when their bike is stored. However, you’ll find that by just putting a cover on your bike, potential thieves are less likely to target it. The reason – the visual deterrent. They can’t quickly assess the value or potential ease of removing any security devices if they can’t see the bicycle. It’s essentially a cost-benefit situation for them – why risk getting caught trying to remove a cover when there are other visible bikes to steal?
What is the practical purpose of bike covers?
Essentially, bike covers are your bicycle’s armor. They shield your favorite mode of transportation from multiple threats. When your bike is tucked away in a shed or resting under an open canopy, the bike cover serves the incredibly practical purpose of protecting it against the weather. They can also come up quite handy during transportation. Anyone who’s tried to fit a muddy bike in the trunk of a car knows the mess it can make. With a bike cover, your bike can stay safe from scratches and dents, while your car remains free from dirt and oil stains. As a frequent cyclist and a clean car enthusiast, I’ve found bike covers my saving grace on several family camping trips.
Is it necessary to use a cover for my bicycle?
Well, the necessity of a bike cover depends greatly on individual circumstances. If you live in an apartment where the bike storage is in a secure, dry space, perhaps a bike cover isn’t necessary. However, if your bike regularly gets exposed to weather conditions or you have a pricey bike that exceeds your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy coverage limit, you might want to consider it. Besides, it’s not just about insurance or legality. A bike cover is like a low-cost, one-time insurance against all sorts of potential damage. Personally, I believe it’s a smart investment for bicycle upkeep and even more so if you don’t have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.