Outdoor storage options

[RizzoTheRat]

Having always had a garage, I'm looking to buy a new house having moved for work, and am starting to accept that prices around here are silly and I might have to go without a garage.

Anyone here storing their bike outside, and what are the best options? Something like a BikeBarn looks a decent option http://www.thebikebarn.net/model_standard.html presumably that's an improvement on just using a cover? I'm quite close to the coast so I'd like to try and give it some protection from salt in the air

[NITO]

These are supposed to be good!

https://www.carcoon.com/carcoon-bikebubble/outdoor...

[Bikerjon]

I've had a bike barn for many years. The best thing about them is how quick they are to use compared to the faff of a normal cover. Be aware though that this is no substitute for a dry garage. The damp will still get in to a degree and the cover does eventually rot too - but you can get replacements. As an alternative to a regular cover they are excellent, but a proper garage wins every time.

[moto_traxport]

Another vote for the Bike Barn here. Used mine for 5 years as the garage was a long way from the house and not as secure (or entertaining) as riding down a hoofing long garden and parking it up near the back of the house.

Very fast to put it in (!), no worries on hot exhaust, bit ugly, eventually tore a hole where it folded over the frame (UV damage?). I didn’t find any problems with damp or condensation unlike a close fitting cover.

Plenty of space to add in more stuff (spare tyres / wheels, Jerry cans, firewood, barbecue) if the bike only moves every other weekend. You can hide in there and scare the crap out the missus when she gets home and pops out the back door for a ciggie and a G&T on a Friday eve!

[RizzoTheRat]

Bubble looks an interesting idea but probably a bit more faff to use.

Obviously a garage would still be my preference, they go for 40k or more around here!

[Unbusy]

Rizzo, have a look at Machine Mart. They do 2 mini garages suitable for bikes. I’m thinking about getting the one for £199ish. I could work on the bike and not worry about the weather. I’ve got lots of outstanding stuff to do to it and my garage is rammed with cars and parts.

[RizzoTheRat]

This? https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cis788-moto... Those poles certainly look pretty solid

[bsidethecside]

I tried covers and the best was a lightweight breathable one made by an outfit oop North, who I never found again after it wore out and I tried to replace. The Oxford heavy duty one that replaced it was allegedly breathable, but clearly failed as the condensation was massive and promoted rust. Light and flappy was the way forward to get air circulation. In the end I coughed up for a good wooden shed as it's frequently cold and damp where I live, I do have to leave windows open to keep the damp at bay. If you're near the coast, I'd check that those tents are going to take a wind. I lived on the south coast for a few years and got quite good at re-aligning TV aerials, fixing fences...

[Darkslider]

Whatever you do, don't entertain a Yardmaster metal shed of any size. At 32 years of age mine is firmly in the top spot for the worst most frustrating piece of junk I've ever bought, and I'm including all the crap gadgets I bought from China that broke out of the box in that!

I was in the same predicament buying our house last year, ended up getting one with vehicular access to the garden and I'm going to construct a decent size workshop down the bottom end with motorbike storage in one half.

[jjones]

Darkslider said:

Whatever you do, don't entertain a Yardmaster metal shed of any size. At 32 years of age mine is firmly in the top spot for the worst most frustrating piece of junk I've ever bought, and I'm including all the crap gadgets I bought from China that broke out of the box in that!

I was in the same predicament buying our house last year, ended up getting one with vehicular access to the garden and I'm going to construct a decent size workshop down the bottom end with motorbike storage in one half.

Why? They are fiddly to erect but one up are maintenance free. Have had one up for over 10 years and had no issues at all with it.

[Triaguar]

If you are going down the semi permanent route have at look at Gala Tents Wath upon Dearne. They do all sorts of outside storage including custom made.

[doggydog33]

Secure-a-bike sheds if you’ve got space. They’re pricey but sometimes come up on eBay. Great bit of kit.

Doggydog33

[KTMsm]

Can't you find one with rear access and put it in a shed ?

[crofty1984]

jjones said:

Darkslider said:

Whatever you do, don't entertain a Yardmaster metal shed of any size. At 32 years of age mine is firmly in the top spot for the worst most frustrating piece of junk I've ever bought, and I'm including all the crap gadgets I bought from China that broke out of the box in that!

I was in the same predicament buying our house last year, ended up getting one with vehicular access to the garden and I'm going to construct a decent size workshop down the bottom end with motorbike storage in one half.

Why? They are fiddly to erect but one up are maintenance free. Have had one up for over 10 years and had no issues at all with it.

Poorly made and condensate like fk.

[KTMsm]

crofty1984 said:

Poorly made and condensate like fk.

Yep when mine was delivered I took one look at it and sold it on - you could cut through the walls with a stanley knife

A mate had one and the stuff inside was wet all winter with condensation

[Iminquarantine]

I have an expensive Honda touring bike cover (despite owning a BMW) which cost well over £100. Works. Having read the complaints about cheap covers, I don’t have any of those problems.

[Unbusy]

RizzoTheRat said:

This? https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cis788-moto... Those poles certainly look pretty solid

That’s the blighter. For the money it should do the job and last a few years. Plenty of air around the bike. Heck, there’s enough room to wash/detail the bike inside it too.

[gareth h]

I’ve got one of these, works fairly secure and, has good ventilation so stays dry inside.
http://armadilloboxes.co.uk/

[wuckfitracing]

As suggested earlier
https://www.secure-a-bike.com/
I have one of these, they are insurance/thatcham approved. They need some form of insulation fitting as condensation does appear on the roof. I have ran power into it for the battery charger and fitted PIR lighting and more than 1 Alarm. They work and are very expensive but are very secure. I bought mine second hand from ebay. Expect to pay £1000 minimum.

[mikedxb]

It looks rather difficult to get a bike into the secure-bike. Not much space to push it in? And you can’t walk it in?