Photo: Tim Douglas

Is it bad to store your bike outside with a cover?

A bike cover is intended to keep your bike dust-and grime-free, and most are also water- and UV-proof, so you can store your bike outside or in a garage.

rei.com - Best Ways to Store Bikes | REI Co-op

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Types of Bike Storage Racks

Storage rack variations abound, from stylish wall mounts, to freestanding racks, to ceiling mounts. The goal is the same: keep your bike off the ground to avoid getting it scratched or dirty, and position it so that it can’t be knocked over, potentially damaging the derailleur, spokes or fork (or injuring a young child or animal). Kickstands are one of the most basic storage options and are a great way to keep your recreational road bike upright in your garage. Serious road cyclists typically forgo the kickstand to save weight. However, bike tourers may find them useful for parking a fully loaded bike. Floor stands are like the bike rack you used in grade school; basically a long metal bar with vertical slats, only configured to hold one bike, not a bunch. They are ideal if you have the floor space because they're so simple. They are great for garages or even front hallways. You just pop in your front or back wheel and you’re done. Freestanding racks are like coat racks for bikes and are ideal for garages or places where you can’t mount a rack on the walls. These are often designed to hold two bikes, sometimes more, and are easy to relocate for cleaning, rearranging your garage or changing apartments or houses. Gravity stands are designed to lean against a flat section of wall and use the weight of your bike to stabilize the setup. They don't require drilling the wall. Usually they can hold two bikes. Wall mounts are best for people who have limited space and want to get their bikes off the floor. These versatile racks offer the most variety in the market. Choices include a simple hook; a hook and tray; hinges; or horizontal wall mounts. Mountain bikes are a bit hard to store via the top tube since it is aggressively angled, but some wall-mount racks have arms that move up and down to accommodate your bike’s specific geometry. There are lots of designer options for the in-apartment artwork look. These can either store your bikes vertically by one wheel so you can line them up in a row, or horizontally by the top tube—and some even have integrated lights to help illuminate your ride, much like track lighting for a painting.

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If you hang your bike flat against the wall like a piece of art, it takes up more wall space, but it's much lower profile than having the wheels sticking out into the room. Ceiling mounts are a great option for garage or gear rooms if you have multiple bikes. These easy-to-set-up storage racks take up unused space at the top of a garage and get bikes out of the way. The only real challenge is if your bike is too heavy for you to lift, or if the ceiling is so high that you need a ladder. If you are using the ceiling rack for off-season storage, these are not insurmountable issues; just enlist a friend or family member to help. For everyday use, make sure that the bike hangs down far enough that you can safely grab it by the frame to take it down. If you have multiple bikes and are hanging them by the wheels, you can alternate front and rear wheel hanging so the handlebars don’t get in the way of each other. Hoist bike storage is a nice alternative to the standard ceiling rack, and ideal for high ceilings when you can’t easily reach your bike on a standard hook or mount. Hoists raise your bike up and out of the way so you can free up space in your garage, loft or walk-in closet. They involve efficient pulley systems that assist you in lifting and lowering your bikes. Before you start shopping, measure your ceiling height; some only accommodate heights up to 12 feet.