johnbobey

Having just acquired a Rando-Ready 2017 Black Mountain Monster Cross and all chrome 1981 Katakura Silk (why go n+1 when you can go n+2?), I'm now in need of safe and dry storage for my growing stable (that I blame all of you for encouraging). Unless I can find a suitable solution (shed, shrine?) it will soon be me that is forced to find refuge outdoors.In lieu of a garage (we converted ours to living space...for humans), have any of you found something that can be bought or built that can keep 3-6 bikes safe, sound, and out of the elements? I'm in San Diego so cold and snow isn't an issue, but I am only a mile or so from the ocean so I imagine there's salt in the air (and it rains during our "winter") that I'd rather not co-habitate with my bikes. I can't be the only one with this problem, right?

USAZorro

Santee.

johnbobey

I don't understand...?

johnbobey

OK, I see you're suggesting a storage unit. I was hoping for a solution that could go in my backyard...

nlerner

They’re all sorts of small sheds that you can either build from scratch or assemble from parts or just drop into place. If you have the room, of course. I built one up in my backyard for the lawnmower and other gardening stuff, and I’ve thought of using it for bike storage (though I’d have to put the lawnmower somewhere else).

tgot 

A friend and neighbor has a unit that seems functionally equivalent to this: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/Hom...ption=14611863

I can't say his brand was the same, the link is to one that seems to open top/front the way his does. He's happy with it, and it keeps rain out. Getting the rearmost bike out requires unloading at least one of the front two.

RCMoeur 

Our Tuff Sheds are 20+ years old and look like they have at least another 30-40 more years left in them.

bikingshearer 

I thought he was suggesting that you move to Santee. You know, to be further from the ocean. Of course, your SO may have a thing or two to say about that.

Maybe an easy-up with skirts? A heck of a lot cheaper than some of those bike-specific storage sheds.

abdon 

If you put a storage shed for your bikes make sure you lay a vapor barrier or plastic sheet that will not degrade. You would be amazed at how much humidity seeps through the ground with temperature swings from day to night.

Soody

Building a shed is pretty fun.
I did this one for our bach a few years ago. I had never done concreting or framing before, infact i can barely saw straight.

bark_eater 

Our grab and go bikes live less than sheltered existences 1000 feet from the Chesapeake. The get shuffled between an open shed and leaning against a tree. Depending on weather and shed clutter a tarp might get tossed over. I tend to worry more about leaving them in the sun than the rain. These bikes have degraded cosmetically, but already had their share of hard knocks and spray paint.

​​Point was getting at is that I regularly soak these bikes down with WD40 and it seems to keep keep the rust under control. After a while the leftover greasy ness starts collecting dust so I clean the bike and start over. I have to clean the rims and pads with alcohol pretty often though.

So a long with a shed I would start buying WD40 by the gallon.

​​​​​​

sced

The climate inside a shed can be basically the same as outdoors and humidity is bad for all the steel in a bike. I suggest to make room inside a little used part of you house, at least for your favorites.

tiger1964 

I guess it would be extreme, but working to make sure the shed sealed up tightly and running a dehumidifier in there, draining outside, would help. I run one in my basement for that reason.

USAZorro

I lived in Santee from 86-89. As close to the ocean as you are, anything that isn't climate-controlled is going to result in disappointment. A spot five-ten miles inland would make a huge difference in your success.

smd4

I'd never leave my bike in the garage, let alone a shed...

gugie 

Damn, that's real nice for your first one!

abdon 

Actually quite the opposite; you want the shelter extremely well ventilated. The temperature differential can soak up a ton of water out of the air, you want the air flushed out before it can condense. With enough ventilation the inside humidity matches the outside humidity.

Bad Lag

The low temperature excursion will be determined by the overnight air temperature.

The high temperature will be determined by how much direct sunlight your shed gets. Lots of direct sun, on a closed-up shed, will mean very high upper temperatures.

Humidity in San Diego is not a problem, not even near the coast. Dehumidifiers are just not a thing out here they way they are east of the Rockies.

What is not clear to me from your posts is whether you want a secure outdoor storage area or whether you want an environmentally controlled, museum-quality facility to house your bikes, or somewhere in between.

Rick_D

This sounds accurate, short of keeping a dehumidifier in it.

If you're in the fog zone then you're probably close enough to the coast to have issues with salt corrosion. Maybe leave a sacrificial bike outdoors and watch what happens? Quiz neighbors?

tiger1964 

I've only been to Pacific Beach once so I am not an expert. National Weather Service says humidity goes over 90% tonight.

I would not contest that. But see above.

Yeah, my point... if one wants to spend the $$$ to buy and, particularly, operate one.
,
But which bike? Until recently I would have suggested a Huffy. Not any more.

johnbobey

Wow, a lot of interesting ideas and an impressive build or two. Thanks to all for chiming in! Looks like I'll be keeping these bikes indoors...to many variables and no bullet (or moisture)-proof solution.

Chinghis

I went through a search for something to store bikes outside last year. Between me and the family, we have five bikes to store, all pretty much vintage.

I ended up with this thing: 8' x 6' Outdoor Storage Shed. Into my driveway for a little over $500 with tax and shipping. I built a frame of 4"x4" ground-contact cedar to put it on top, and ended up putting in a 1/2" (?, maybe I went 3/4") plywood floor.

I spent a lot of time on this thing, doing it all by myself. My wife thought the frame was overkill, but was impressed with how dry and stable it has been over the last year of unCalifornia-like weather.

The only drawback is that it is a lot - and I mean a LOT - of little tiny screws and plastic washers. For something with so many pieces and kind of light material, it went together pretty well. Only one latch did not match up at the end, and the flooring took some creative cutting. But for a $1000 or so, I am pretty happy with it. Has room for the five bikes and assorted other junk.

tiger1964 

Always a wise choice. I had presumed you had a shortfall of indoor square footage and a surplus of outdoor square footage.

panzerwagon 

One of my friends got a few of those pulley-based hangers to pull his bikes above his lounge, which has a high ceiling. Much cheaper than a shed and remains within indoor climate envelope. Somehow we always talk bikes in that room

johnbobey

Your assumption was correct--I do have a shortfall of indoor space and even more so a wife with a shortfall of tolerance for bikes living indoors, AND an abundance (or at least enough) outdoor space. I keep trying to make the comparrison of sq footage taken up by bikes as opposed to her shoes, but so far it's not working.