HeyItsSara

My daughter rides a very simple Walmart type bike and since we live in a building, stores it in a spare bedroom which is going to be used to foster a cat or kittens soon.

We are afraid a cat will put its claws into her tires so we are thinking to put it on our porch but wonder what to do in case of rain - would a cover be enough?

Thanks all.

10 Wheels

Mama cat be to busy to do that.

pdlamb

A bike cover will work well to keep rain off.

It won't do much to prevent theft; can you also get a (heavy) chain and lock the bike to something solid?

Finally, not that she'd ever go two weeks without riding the bike but that bike cover will also trap humidity inside, which can accelerate rust. It'd be a good idea to ride the bike, or at least leave it uncovered for a few sunny hours, every week or so.

indyfabz

Cats like large, planar surfaces to scratch. Rugs. Sides of furniture. Walls. I’ve had cats for a decade with up to 4 bikes in the house. I would not worry about bike tires.

And as noted, leaving it outside can cause its own problems that are potentially more expensive than a new tire.

Bill in VA

Get a set of large floor mount stereo speakers and they will ignore all the other stuff... It is like catnip for scratching.

Most of the badly rusted bike I have seen were covered or in outdoor sheds. The shed or coering gets damp inside and the sun makes it warm and damp and a perfect storm for rust and oxidation of metals.

Iride01 

Rubber in tires is much tougher than a cat and it's claws. It'd take them quite a while to hurt anything. Maybe just provide them a better scratching post or other surface to claw on. If they seem to have an affinity for the bike tires, then make a scratching post from some old tires.

We had outdoor cats when growing up. They never where a problem for the tires of the bikes we kept on the back porch then.

My fear with a tarp or cover over the bike will be that sometimes they hold in moisture and that will be a problem.

prj71

The colorful posts on this forum never disappoint.

HeyItsSara

Did everyone have fun at my expense?

prj71

You lobbed a slow pitched softball out there...

HeyItsSara

For the record, our porch is a private porch, on the 3rd floor. I am not worried about theft. I mentioned rust to her so we will be cognizant of that.

Does anyone have a recommendation of a place to buy the cover?

I only ride a bike inside - at spin class - so I don't have any experience with this.

Thanks again all.

sloppy12

any hardware store should sell tarps.

pdlamb

I bought a cheap one from Nashbar, not quite last millenium.

prj71

A grill cover.

Iride01 

Harbor freight for a cheap tarp.

HeyItsSara

thanks all.

Vintage Schwinn

Sara, the advice given about an inexpensive tarp from Harbor Freight is great. Because a typical bicycle is not particularly large, an ordinary $5 vinyl Shower Curtain Liner of typical approx sizing of 60 inches X 71 inches should be of adequate sizing to fold in half over your bicycle while its out on your condo's balcony. The Shower Curtain idea might not be a good one if it ever gets very windy at that location. A tarp will be heavier and will have grommeted holes that will allow for better securing.
Do pay attention to the available Tarp sizes offered, because you don't need something gigantic enough to almost cover a swimming pool. You might also take a look at the covers for outdoor gas grills that Harbor Freight might have. Like others have said, USING A THICK CHAIN AND A PADLOCK will significantly lessen the chance that the bike could be stolen under normal circumstances...........................Since your bike will be out on your upstairs balcony, there is no risk of theft because others cannot access that area without first entering your condo. Do remember that when you do have the bike outdoors at other locations, that you do Chain Lock it when not attended. Your bike will be fine, even if you just use a few large HEFTY or GLAD TRASHBAGS to cover it on the balcony during rainy days. Just dry it off with your worst old raggedy towel after the rain finally stops or within a day after the rain had stopped and you'll be in good shape.

NeedARealBike

Get a motorcycle cover. They work perfect for leaving the bike outdoors, keeps it dry and prevents UV damage from the sunlight. Mine still looks fresh after a year. Any department store has it if your in a hurry. I bought mine on Amazon. Cheap Chinese one in the small size. Perfect for bicycle.

prj71

And in conclusion...

Elvo

https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Cover-.../dp/B005YQ39C6

Vintage Schwinn

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bicycle-Cyc...em48eb1c9286:g

See ebay #313182163590 -and- ebay #363274150056 .....They are the exact same NEW BICYCLE COVER at $8 total cost with free shipping from two different China based vendors.