Winter is a challenging time for bicycles. So it is essential to cover the Bicycle to protect it from the harsh winter elements. It will keep your Bicycle dry and safe in cold weather. But how to cover your bicycle in winter? That is a concern regarding bicycle storage in cold or winter weather. So today, I’ve decided to talk about winter cycle covering and why it is essential for your Bicycle.
Why Do We Need To Use A Bicycle Cover?
Bicycle covers are essential for anyone who stores their bicycle outside in winter. It’s important to find the right bike cover for outdoor use. Cold weather can damage your bike if it remains outside in the sun, wind, rain, or snow. So, protect your bike from harsh elements by using a bike cover so that it can safe from major rust or erosion damage.
- It is important to cover your Bicycle when not in use if you are a winter cyclist.
- Also, a bicycle cover can protect your bike from the handlebars to the wheels.
- If you plan to store your bike outside for a long or short time, must consider investing in a bicycle cover.
Prepare Your Bicycle To Cover
Before covering your Bicycle in winter, you need to prepare your Bicycle. For that reason, you have to follow some steps.
Clean Your Bicycle:
It is essential to thoroughly clean your Bicycle before storing it for the winter. Over time, your Bicycle will accumulate dust, mud, sand, dirt, and grime. And, dirt bikes rust and break down from sitting on them.
Lubricate Your Chain:
It is important to lubricate the chain of your bike before storing it.
- The coating prevents rust and oxidation by preventing air and moisture from contacting the metal surface.
- Avoid using excessive oil when you lubricate your bike chain, derailleur, cogs, and cassette.
- It would help if you used a rag or paper towel to eliminate excess oil.
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Remove The Electronic Gadgets:
You must keep your electronic devices out of the cold during the winter months since they are susceptible to damage from the cold.
- Removing the batteries and chargers keeps your electric bike cover on in the winter.
- Battery leaks and rust inside electronic gadgets in winter.
- So, before covering bicycles, you need to remove them.
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Take Off The Handlebar Grips:
Handlebar grips made of rubber and plastic degrade in colder temperatures. To extend their life and prevent damage, removing them before covering your Bicycle is important.
Removing The Saddle And Saddle Post:
Removing the saddle and seat post during winter cover is recommended to prevent deterioration.
- Lubricate the seat-post tube from the inside as well.
- In addition to preventing rust, this will simplify installation.
Inflated Tires:
Before covering your bike tires for the winter, please ensure they are properly inflated. You should keep them at least partially inflated to keep your ‘Tires Round’. Tire rims are pushed by bicycle weight. So, there may be deterioration, bulging, and distortion of the tires. Any cracks or deformities will be visible after inflating the tire again. But you can prevent this by keeping your tires inflated.
- Make sure the tires aren’t losing air throughout the winter by checking them once or twice.
How Do You Find A Perfect Bicycle Cover?
The bulleted list above highlights several key factors you should consider when choosing the best. The following are the most important features to keep in mind:
Waterproof Materials:
High-quality, coated nylon or polyester fabrics construct the cycle covers. Bike covers made from this kind of material are durable and waterproof. A bicycle cover that wears, tears, and keeps water inside is pointless.
- Fabrics of high quality can perform well.
- A coating of 210T or 210D protects nylon and polyester surfaces from the elements.
The cover will be completely waterproof and resistant to water, dust, and debris. By doing so, the bicycle cover protects not only your bike but itself from water as well. Invest in the best bicycle cover to prevent water damage. Therefore, you can extend its lifespan by protecting your bike from serious water damage.
Weatherproof Materials:
When choosing the best cycle cover, weatherproof materials are also an important factor to consider. The best bicycle cover brands come with thick, durable covers that protect your bike from all elements.
- Snow, dust, and scratches will be kept off your bike with high-density nylon or Oxford fabric.
- When bad weather occurs, such as a windstorm, debris like leaves and branches can fall.
- A good bicycle cover will protect your bike from falling objects.
Anti-Stain Properties:
A solution is usually applied to bicycle covers to reinforce the material and provide an invisible layer of protection. As a result, the cover will never be stained or damaged. Some bicycle covers, such as YardStash, are reinforced with patented Heat-Shield technology.
- As a result, it will be extra durable and resistant to stains and damage.
- Additionally, it’s super easy to wash.
- It can easily be washed in the washing machine and hung up to dry, which will remove any marks or stains.
- Even after washing, it remains just as durable.
UV Protection:
Although water and snow are two of the biggest concerns when it comes to protecting a bicycle. And there is one thing that can damage your bike even more- the sun’s rays. You can prevent serious damage to your Bicycle by having good UV protection against bright sunlight.
- These bicycle covers with lock holes have a UPF rating of 40+ or 50+ to protect your bike from the elements. Since the material is built with a protective coating, you can store your bike for a long time without worrying. Because of the cover, you don’t have to worry about the sun fading, eroding, or weakening your bike.
- In addition, to protect against the sun’s light, polyester protective materials also protect against its heat. After a certain temperature, the protective coating deflects heat and prevents the bike cover from getting too hot. While it sits under its protective storage cover, your bike will be both dark and cool.
Safety And Security:
A bicycle cover’s most important feature is its ability to keep your bike safe and secure at all times. A bike lock fits around the front hole locks on the best covers. And the cover protects your bicycle from theft whether you’re storing your bike in the backyard or the garage.
- Adding additional security strips and buckles to your bike can make you feel more secure and protected.
Adequate Size:
Some bicycle cover brands on the market run too small or too tight. You can only use a bike cover if it can cover your entire bike.
- Ensure your bike cover matches or exceeds the dimensions of your bike. This will ensure that your bike fits under the whole thing.
- Observe how the bike cover covers the entire bike in the picture above. This thick coating protects everything from the handlebars to the wheels to the kickstand.
In comparing your preferred cover to other bike covers, this is the most important factor to consider.
Tight Fit:
As soon as you determine that your bicycle cover fits around the entire bike, you must want to make sure it stays snug and secure once it’s attached. There are a few ways to accomplish this:
- It wraps the cover tightly around the bike’s side and bottom using its elasticity.
- Making use of the built-in drawstrings on some bicycle covers
- Tying the cover around your bike using the extra security strips and buckles ensures security even during windy conditions.
Portability:
The last thing you’ll want is a bicycle cover that is easy to transport. In most cases, you’ll want to take it with you now and then. And the best cycle cover brands come with transport tubes so you can easily fold and carry your cover.
- In the same way, your Bicycle moves around a lot, so should your cover. Even when you’re traveling, you should always have access to your cover.
- The compact tubes easily carry your folded cover on a plane.
- If you choose a good brand, the bicycle cover will also remain intact. You just need to fold it tightly.
Final Words Regarding Bicycle Cover
Bicycle covers from some of the best brands offer added security features. Your bike cover protects your bike from the weather, including harsh winter storms. Thus it is crucial to get the right material for the cover. Polyester with a thicker weave is more waterproof and tear-resistant. Before covering your bike for outside storage, ensure it is fully prepared for storage.
Whenever you store your bike outside, it needs to be protected from the elements. Over time, rain, snow, and even the sun can damage the frame and components. Therefore, keeping your Bicycle covered on your bike will give you greater peace of mind.
