Bicycle cover? What? What's your choice?

If you don't have a shed, basement or a garage/carport or can take the bike inside - then it's outside - and exposed to wind and weather. Prolonged exposure to moisture (through rain and snow) and UV light (from the sun) can damage your bike - immediately more than you expect - it rusts, the color fades, your electronics are exposed to long-term moisture. The solution is a bicycle garage or bicycle cover - a good bikecover is an inexpensive and effective way to protect your bike from sun and water damage, while keeping it clean and free from scratches.

An added bonus of using a bicycle garage - is also that the middle fingered cannot see what it says, and it suddenly takes extra time to take your bike - super solution for cargo bikes combined with an alarm lock or something else that makes noise!

A cover for a bike doesn't have to cost the world - you can actually get some pretty nice bicycle garages / cover for little money. The biggest challenge is what to choose! And there are some simple tips that can be taken into account if you want to have a good cover for bicycles / cargo bike.

Avoid the cheapest

Just like all other things you can buy, the cheapest ones are rarely worth the money. They may have all the features of the more expensive cases, but they're made with thinner materials that just aren't as durable or weather-resistant.

What material is the bicycle cover made of?

The type of material that a bikecover is made of is really important! It will determine how well the case resists sun and water. Plus how durable it is against wear and tear. It will also have a big impact on how much it costs!

Virtually all bicycle cover are made of polyester in one form or another. Often it is the mixing ratio and thickness that vary between the different bicycle garages and manufacturers. Thickness is measured by something called "denier," which is often abbreviated to "D." So, you will see different polyesters described as 210D, 600D, etc. The larger the number, the thicker (and therefore more durable and weather-resistant) the material. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers note down what thickness they have made their bicycle garages in.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Firstly, none of the materials are completely waterproof. If they are exposed to enough rain or snow, they all start to leak. However, the thicker materials will generally be more resistant.
• Second, keep in mind that the thicker the material, the heavier the bike cover, which can make it harder to get on and off your bike. So it's definitely worth thinking about how often you'll be using the bike you're covering. If you use it every day, you may have a slightly lighter coverthan if your bike will be under cover for weeks or even months at a time. Therefore, bicycle coverthat use a mix of thicker materials (in places most exposed to the elements) and thinner materials (in other areas) are good. They remain weatherproof and durable while still being easy to handle!

Keep an eye on the stitching.

A bicycle garages is sewn together and you need to pay attention to what holds the bike cover together. You want double-stitched and heat-treated seams to maximize tear and water resistance.

What size do you need?

Bicycle cover usually come in different sizes, determined by how many bikes they cover. Although it may seem logical to buy a cover for a bike if you only have 1 bike, we would recommend that you go for a larger size, as the smaller ones often have a tighter fit, which is why they are harder to get over your bike, and sometimes they don't reach all the way down to the ground, leaving gaps that can increase the bike's exposure to the weather. And then you haven't even thought about the fact that you also have a bike basket / chair that also "takes" some of the cover

A bike cover to 2 bikes - or an extra large one (XL) - will be easier to get over your bike, it will definitely go all the way to the ground and at the same time give you the option to squeeze another bike in if needed or throw something else (toolbox, bike rack, etc.) under the cover.

Locking holes

Not all bicycle garages offer easy access to lock your bike - so a recommendation is always choose a bicycle cover with locking holes. Locking holes are often mounted at the wheels or on the side of the bike cover itself, so you can easily attach the chain lock to the bike. It's another layer of security. But you also need to lock your frame to something to stop a thief just carrying your bike away.

Ventilation?

One thing you definitely want to avoid is a build-up of condensation inside the bike cover. This will go against the whole point of a cover and still expose your bikes to moisture that can cause rust and shorten their lifespan.

Some bicycle garages are equipped with "vents" or "valves" that allow air to circulate inside the bike cover, which will help reduce condensation and disperse any trapped moisture. They will not completely eliminate moisture formation, but they will reduce it significantly. Also remember to read our maintenance and care guide.

Elastic or String!

If you choose a plenty of large bicycle garage - and even if it is for practical reasons - then you should preferably have a snug fit around the bottom of your bicycle garage. Aesthetically, it looks nicer, and at the same time, it minimizes the risk of moisture and dirt getting under the cover, and makes it less likely to get caught by a wind that could knock over your bike - or fly away altogether

Cheaper bicycle cover tend to have (or not have any) elastic edges, while the more expensive bicycle garages have one or more "elastic cords" that can be tightened (and loosened) so you have somewhat more flexibility when mounting your bicycle garageson and off. If you loosen them, it is much easier to get the bike garage on and off your bike. And then you have more control over how much you want to tighten them once the cover is in place.

"Storm Straps"

Some bicycle cover come with straps and buckles at the bottom, which allow you to attach the two sides under your bike. This ensures the bike garage for the bike, cannot be so easily blown or torn by the wind (or a person).

"Eyes"

Many bicycle garages are also equipped with increases - the eyelets can be used together with a string or an auto-elastic - you can use this to fasten your bicycle garageso that it does not blow away or as the "storm straps" to prevent theft.

There are many things to be aware of, but the most important thing: consider what you are going to use it for, and make sure it can do it