Bike covers for storage and transport
A bike cover protects a bike parked outdoors from rain, UV and prying eyes, or keeps the dust off it in a flat. Choose it according to the size of the bike, standard, MTB, cargo or longtail, and according to its use, parking or travelling. To transport a dismantled bike, a travel bag with compartments keeps the frame and the wheels apart.
Outdoor or indoor bike cover?
Outdoors, the cover must be waterproof and UV resistant: coated polyester fabrics, sealed seams, an elasticated hem or a drawcord to hold it in place in strong wind. BikeParka coats its polyester ripstop with polyurethane, for a hydrostatic head of 2,000 mm, and VK uses a woven fabric coated on one side, with rust-proof eyelets. Indoors, the issue is dust and cleanliness: the DS Covers Full Bike, in stretch polyester washable at 30 °C, pairs with the Wheel Bike Sock, which stops walls and floors getting dirty.
Choosing the size of cover for your bike
A cover that is too short leaves the wheels exposed, and one that is too big catches the wind. Topeak offers its Bike Cover in a road version and a 29-inch MTB version. For a cargo bike, BikeParka offers a cover suited to most two and three-wheeled cargo bikes, and a Longtail version that covers up to 210 cm in length, 130 cm in height and 80 cm across the handlebar. VK offers a cover for two bikes, and Wiener covers cut for specific cargo bike models. Allow for a basket, a child seat or a box, which change the dimensions.
The details that count outdoors
- Lock openings: the BikeParka Longtail and the DS Covers Cargo have openings so that you can lock the bike without removing the cover.
- Breathability: a breathable fabric limits condensation; let a wet bike dry before covering it.
- Storage: most covers pack down into their own bag, to carry in a pannier.
- Repair: a tear in ripstop can be repaired with a tent fabric patch.
Travelling with a dismantled bike
By train, coach or plane, a bike often travels dismantled, with the wheels removed, in a travel bag. Optimiz's reinforced model combines a compartment for both wheels with a divider that stops them rubbing against the frame. Find out about the carrier's rules, the dimensions and weight allowed, before you leave, and protect the derailleur and the discs.
Bike racks and other transport solutions
To take your bike by car, see bike racks and their spare parts; for luggage or children, bike trailers. All these solutions are gathered in the transport category.
Bike cover brands
BikeParka, a brand born in New Zealand and based in the UK, cuts its covers from a coated polyester ripstop with sealed seams, in Urban, Cargo and Longtail versions, stored in their own bag.
Wiener, the brand of the German distributor E. Wiener Bike Parts, offers rain covers dedicated to certain cargo bikes, such as the SC3 designed for the Batavus Fier 3 and the Raleigh Stride 3.
DS Covers, a Dutch company from Apeldoorn, designs both the Full Bike, a stretch cover for indoor use, and the waterproof Cargo cover in 300D polyester with openings for a chain lock.
Topeak offers the Bike Cover, in a road or MTB version, which weighs 300 g and folds into a small pouch.
Bike covers on sale
Covers from previous series join transport clearance, and recent models new arrivals. Black Friday arrives just before the season when a bike kept outdoors most needs covering.
Frequently asked questions
Does a cover make a bike rust?
Not if it breathes and the bike is dry when you cover it. A waterproof tarpaulin placed over a wet bike traps the moisture: choose a breathable cover and air it in mild weather.
Can you lock the bike with the cover on?
Yes, with models that have lock openings: the chain or the D-lock goes through the cover without opening it. Otherwise, lock the bike before covering it and let the lock stick out at the bottom.
Which cover for a cargo bike with a box?
A cargo cover covers the box and the whole frame; some brands also offer rain covers for the box alone, dedicated to a specific model. Measure the total length and the height at the handlebar.
Does a cover protect against theft?
It hides the bike and makes it less tempting, without any mechanical resistance. Always combine it with a solid lock.
How do you look after a bike cover?
A sponge and mild soap are enough for outdoor covers, which cannot go in the washing machine; some indoor covers can be washed at 30 °C. Let the cover dry unfolded before putting it away.
