How do you choose the perfect cover to cover and protect a bike?

The best way to protect a bicycle is to place it in a bag.

Check out these bags for folding bikes. Most of the time, they are made for 20″ wheel size foldies.

You can also find bag for folding bikes that can be folded. This model comes packed in a bag which you can hang on the handlebar when not in use.

There are also similar looking models that are installed with rollers at the base to ease moving the bicycle around.

You can also find hardcase bags for bicycles in larger wheel size like this.

It is large enough to store a bicycle in wheel sizes of 26″ up to 700C. When bicycles are stored in such bags, the wheels are removed to be packed in a separate compartment.

This cover is a cheaper way to protect a bicycle.

As it lays open at the bottom, dirt and rain water can still get to it. The wheels can also be stained with dirty water when the floor it is parked on is being cleaned. Overtime rust will appear on some of the parts. So, when the bicycle is stored in this manner for a period of time, some cleaning up will still be required when it is time to ride on the bicycle again. For long term storage, it is best that the bicycle is located in an enclosed area to protect it from the elements of nature.

If you plan on not cycling your bike for a long period of time,  it is best that you find ways to hang up your bike to protect the tyres and tubes. This is because after 2 weeks or so, your tube will slowly deflate and your rims will sit on the tyres causing it to crack. The weight of the bicycle sitting on the deflated tubes may even damaged them.

It would be best if you could find a friend to ride your bicycle now and then while you are away. But if you can’t, make sure that you lubricate your bike properly before storing it away.

You may find the additional information at the following links useful in helping you keep your bicycle in good working condition:

How do we protect bicycle tires from cracking?

What are the best tips to maintain a bike in the proper way? 

How do we protect bicycle tyres from cracking?

Avoid doing things to your tyres that will age and dry them out and cause them to crack.

You should:

1) keep bicycle indoor to avoid exposure to the sun's heat or rain.

2) use the proper air pressure in your tyres to prevent overstretching them out.

3) not wash your tyres excessively with chemical cleaners that will remove waxes and other chemical compound the manufacturer used to protect the surface. If you like your tyres looking clean and new, shop around for polish or wax for tyres that will protect or prevent dirt and mud from sticking to them easily.

4) ride on your bicycle regularly so that the tyres are stretched to maintain their flexibility.

5) inflate the tyres at least every 2 weeks even if you are not cycling your bicycle.

6) remove the wheels from your bicycle and hang them up if you do not plan to cycle for a long period of time. This is to prevent weight of your bicycle from sitting on the tyres.

You can also find other ways to store your bicycle. My customer bought this ceiling hooks from our bike shop to hang his bicycle up in his parent’s home. He rides it only when he is free during the weekends.

You can also check out bike shops to learn how they hang their bicycles for display. This was how we displayed our bicycles at our former bicycle shop.

These are some of the storage racks for hanging bicycles up, that you should be able to find in the market.This rack is suitable for those with more than two bicycles to store, as additional holders can be purchased separately.

This rack is suitable for those with more than two bicycles to store, as additional holders can be purchased separately.

If you have to keep it outdoor, make sure that it is properly covered to protect it from the exposure of rain and sun.

You can also find such covers in shops selling motorbikes but I noticed that there are usually priced higher there than at a bike shop.

Do we need an expensive bike light?

Do you need an expensive bike light? That depends on how often you ride at night and how bright you need it to be if there are no street lights where you ride. The higher the lumens (brightness) the more expensive it is going to cost. Just make sure that the lumens of the light you are getting are within the limit acceptable in your own country.

This 300 Lumens front light is USB rechargeable and water resistant.

Then there is the front light and the rear light. Some brands sell them packaged together which tend to be cheaper than if you buy each separately. There are some rear lights that can also shoot laser beams right on the road you cycle. There are also front lights that can beam the contour of the surface you are cycling on.

Older models are cheaper, especially those with PVC casings. They can be a hassle to unscrew the cap or open up to replace AA cells. They usually have on, off and flashing light functions. The brightness depends on the number of batteries required to run it.

The later and better models run on led light and are usually USB rechargeable with its brightness indicated in lumens.

They have more light setting functions, some as many as 6. They tend to be lighter in weight with alloy casing or with silicon covers. Some brands even sell silicon covers in many colours so that you can interchange them. They are usually easier to install and remove.

So, now that you know what is available in the market, it will be easier for you to decide what you are willing to pay for after checking it brightness, the weight, the functions that go with it and its ease to install. If brand name is important to you, then you have to pay for that too.

There is another option for bicycle light that most cyclists missed checking out on. Do you have a mini lightweight torchlight at home or in your car? If you can mount it on a bicycle light holder that you can find in the market, you may prefer to use that over the regular bicycle light. There are torchlight that are supplied with a regular battery and a rechargeable AA battery. They also come with a charger that you can use to recharge other rechargeable AA batteries that you have in your home. One of the functions I like about such torchlight is that you can reduce the size of the light or have it narrowed down to a pinpoint mode so that it shines more brightly in dark corners.

Am I done on this topic? No. If you are talking about making yourself visible with light while you are cycling, there are headlights,…

…lights on wheels that you can change its design digitally for a signature look.

There are lights that you can strap on your body or bag.

There are lights that run on dynamo if you are an eco-hero.

There are lights that you can attach to your handlebar to indicate right or left turn. Lights that can be mounted to the front of your helmet…

…or permanently attached to the rear of your helmet.

The right question to ask is how safe you want to be while out cycling in the dark. The safer you want to be the more expensive it will cost you should you consider installing every gizmo there are in the market to brighten your ride.

Cycling Tips for the Overweight

If you are overweight, exercise can help you to reduce your weight.  Make it easy on your joints by cycling.   

Do you have the right bike for your body weight and size?  If you are not sure, shop and ask around. Check with the shop if they know the maximum weight load of the bikes supplied.

Look at the specification of the bicycle to verify material used.

   
Most bicycles frames are made of high-tensile steel (hi ten steel) which is heavier or aluminum which is lighter. Chromoly frame bike are also available.  This material is lighter than hi ten steel but stronger.

Look at the specification of the wheels.  Look at the number of spokes holes.  It is common for bikes to have 28, 32 or 36 spokes wheel.  The Apollo unit shown here has 32 spokes holes with double wall rims.  The higher in number of spokes will help support the weight of a heavier rider.  That is why 40 or 48 spokes wheels are used on tandems meant for two riders.  Look at the way the spokes are laced onto the rim.  Spokes that are distributed evenly across the circumference of the rim are considered more durable.  The double walled rim will also help as it will significantly increase the strength of the wheel.

If you are not sure if you will take up cycling seriously or you lack confidence that the bicycle can take your weight load, consider buying a high-ten steel bike to start as it tend to be cheaper than an aluminum or chromoly frame bike. Moreover, most heavy duty bike are made of hi ten steel.  As hi ten steel will bend before it breaks, you will also get a prior warning if the bike has been overloaded.

Check out bicycles like the old style double beam bike.  The additional top bar add strength to its capacity.  The upright handle bar which is curved closer to your body will allow you to sit more upright.  That will reduce the stress on your wrists as you no longer have to lean forward and put your weight on them as you ride.

As old style bikes are single speed, it would be best not to ride in areas that requires you to ride uphill as that can be hard on your knees.  It will be awkward if you have to get down from your bike to push it up.  Also, avoid cycling against the wind as you will have to exert more energy to ride which will shack you out before you could enjoy the ride.

Get your shades on before you start riding to avoid eye contact with fellow road users who could be checking you out which may make you feel self conscious.

Your butt is going to be sore when you just begin cycling.  Saddle soreness is to be expected even for cyclists without weight issues.  If you find it awkward to wear tight cyclist pants which come padded, consider wearing cargo pants with detachable padded undershot.

Tight cyclist pants can also be worn under your regular baggy pants.

An extra thick gel saddle cover will also help reduce the pain of a sore bottom after a long ride.

If it does not help, you will have to get yourself a wider saddle.

Unless your are cycling on a fat bike, avoid potholes whenever possible and if you hit one, lifting your butt off the saddle will reduce the pain and take the pressure off your back wheel.  So, saying, it would be best to invest in a pair of metal pedals as the plastic ones commonly supplied may not be able to hold up to your weight as you stand on them.

Alternatively, you can start by building up your stamina on a trainer.  With that you can mount your bicycle on it and practice cycling at home till you have the confidence to ride outdoor.

Meantime, you may also want to read, "The Escapades of an Overweight Cyclist" by Graham Butt, which hopefully, will give you the boost you need to start cycling yourself.



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