Bike Storage Security
When it comes to keeping your bicycles safe and secure, wooden, and metal bike storage sheds provide an array of benefits tailored to your needs.
Tiger Sheds offers a diverse selection of bike storage units crafted from metal and wood, available in various shapes and sizes, ensuring you'll find the perfect fit for your needs. Constructed with top-tier materials and cladding, our bike sheds feature wide doors and high-quality locks, complete with keys, providing a secure place in your garden to store and safeguard your bicycle.
Wooden Bike Sheds
Wooden bike sheds offer a natural aesthetic and blend seamlessly with garden surroundings. They provide a robust protection level, especially when reinforced with a solid locking mechanism. While the wooden structure may seem less daunting than metal, a high-quality wooden shed made from dense timber can make it difficult for potential thieves to break in. Furthermore, treating the wood with proper sealants can add extra durability and security.
Metal Bike Storage
Metal bike sheds, on the other hand, are known for their strength and resilience. Made from galvanised steel or other durable metals, they offer high security against break-ins. The rigid structure, often coupled with advanced locking systems, ensures maximum protection against theft. Additionally, metal bike sheds typically require less maintenance than wooden sheds and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
How big does my Bike Shed Need to be?
Storage sheds are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, including vertical designs resembling tool sheds, where you can stand your bike upright, as well as horizontal models that permit smooth wheeling out of your bicycle.
While the majority are crafted from wood, metal cycle shed alternatives are also available for an enhanced level of protection. Typically, two doors are essential, providing ample space for easy access to your bike, whether for daily commuting or family outings.
Choosing the right size for your bike shed depends on several factors:
Bike Capacity
- 3x7 feet: Suitable for 1-2 adult bikes or 2-3 children's bikes.
- 4x7 feet: Can accommodate 2 adult bikes or up to 3 children's bikes, with some room for accessories.
- 5x3 feet: Ideal for 1 adult bike or 1-2 children's bikes.
- 5x7, 6x3 feet: These sizes can fit 2-3 adult bikes or 3-4 children's bikes comfortably.
- 7x3, 7x4 feet: Adequate for 3 adult bikes or 4 children's bikes, with some room for accessories.
- 7x5, 8x3 feet: Ideal for 3-4 adult bikes or 4-5 children's bikes, with additional space for accessories.
- 8x4 feet: Perfect for 4 adult bikes or up to 5-6 children's bikes, with ample room for tools and helmets.
Style of Bike
Adult Bikes: Require more space, so opt for sheds that are at least 5 feet in width such as 5x7, 6x3, 7x4, etc.
Children's Bikes: These can fit into smaller widths; the 3x7, and 5x3 sizes would be suitable for multiple children's bikes.
Bike Accessories
If you need extra space for accessories, it’s wise to opt for sheds with greater lengths such as 4x7, 5x7, 7x5, or 8x4. These dimensions provide additional room for storing helmets, tools, and other accessories.
Remember, the above recommendations for bicycle storage are general guidelines. It's always wise to measure your specific bikes and consider the arrangement inside the shed to ensure the best fit. A slightly larger size than needed offers more flexibility and ease of access. By assessing these factors, you can select the right shed size that accommodates all your bikes and related accessories, providing a convenient and efficient storage solution.
Is it okay to store bikes outside in the winter?
Storing bikes outside during the harsh winter months is highly discouraged due to the detrimental effects that cold and wet conditions can have on various parts of the bicycle. The exposure to rain and snow, coupled with freezing temperatures, creates a hostile environment for bikes, leading to several problems.
Firstly, moisture from rain and snow can infiltrate into small crevices, leading to rusting of the frame, chain, gears, and other metal components. Rust not only mars the appearance but also weakens the metal, making it more prone to breakage and significantly reducing the bicycle's overall integrity and performance.
Furthermore, the cold temperatures can cause the rubber in the tires to become brittle and crack. This may result in slow leaks or even sudden blowouts, compromising safety and requiring costly repairs or replacements.
Another often overlooked issue is the effect of cold on the lubrication within the chains and gears. As temperatures drop, lubricants can harden and lose their effectiveness. This leads to increased friction, wear, and tear, causing mechanical problems that can make the bicycle difficult or even impossible to ride.
While we have previously noted that bicycle sheds can serve more than the sole purpose of storing bikes, their sturdy and enclosed structure makes them an ideal storage area for other items like lawnmowers and wheelbarrows, which require protection from moisture to prevent rusting. However, dedicating the bike shed exclusively to your bicycle could be a prudent choice, as it can prevent contamination from oil and dirt associated with other tools. Thus, using your garden bike shed solely for your bike may indeed be a wise decision.