Storing my bike securely & damp-free at home (DIY content)

Hi everyone,

I am gonna be largely off the bikes for a little while for medical reasons, and it got me into thinking about their security at home whilst I am not out on them regularly. We live on a quiet street of terraced houses – and whilst I don’t think I’ve heard of anyone getting their bike nicked here it has got me thinking of asking for recommendations.

I currently have 3 bikes, 2 of which (gravel and hardtail) are stored in the locked shed and locked to a metal rail. It’s decently secure but the lack of connected-ness from the house and slightly old timber makes me wary to store my favourite bike in there:

My enduro bike – Right now I have a perfect little hiding spot for this. There is a locked outdoor cupboard thing underneath the stairs to our garden which fits exactly one big mountain bike. The lock is up to the standard of my bike insurance and it is not really in an obvious place at all, with the shed acting as a big carrot in the way and other stuff leant up against the door.

However, the flue from the boiler goes through the top of this little cubby into the garden and it can get a bit damp in there over a few days. It is just bare breezeblock and concrete construction. I’m normally out on this bike a few times a week and keeping it well lubed and greased, so this doesn’t cause a problem. However with the upcoming time off I am worried about damp and humidity affecting things.

I am pretty hopeless outside of woodwork and plumbing as far as DIY goes. Is there any cheap ways I can stop so much damp from building up in here for a few months? I’d like to keep it in there and not have to worry about airing it out all the time.

Should I try and box in the flue and get some basic insulation for the floors and walls?

Storing inside the house is unfortunately not really an option!

The flu shouldn’t be adding to the damp (significantly) as it’s just passing thru the building?

ventilation (air brick or drilled vent) is a cheap option.
insualtion can make damp worse if the ventilation system isn’t adequate.

is damp still a problem over the summer months?  Or worse over the winter?

If you are sure you aren’t gonna be riding it for a while, could you just take the wheels off, remove the seat post & handlebars & stick it in the loft?

Obviously no good if you will be managing the odd ride on it.

@thekingisdead – Yeah I suppose that makes sense, I thought maybe warm steam going through it might increase condensation or something but I am not particularly knowledgeable with these things. The door is pretty solid with no real gaps or anything so must be the ventilation.

I would say in warmer months it is worse. I took it out at the weekend and there was beads of water on the bike, whereas in winter it can just feel a bit clammy.

Reckon I could just get a big drill bit and drill some holes in the door (maybe cover with mesh that you can’t see through)?

@stumpy01 – I might manage the odd ride  is the thing. It’s actually because we are doing IVF and I’ve been told that I shouldn’t sit on a bike saddle much until it works or doesn’t (timescale still not particularly clear, could be a couple months could be just a few weeks)…so may get a chance for some little low risk skills sessioning to keep me sharp, but certainly no big days out climbing or anything. Otherwise yeah I would just disassemble and store it for a few months.

The flu doesn’t contain steam. There’ll be some water vapour and (more importantly) poisons gases; carbon monoxide.
If you suspect you have any leaks from your flu you must get it checked.

that does sound like a high amount of moisture. Are there any other outlets, tumble dryer etc?

im not qualified but lagging the flu pipe could help – the increased temperatures could be adding to the humidity issues, but I’d be suprised

(I’m not sure if it’s technically legal to lag a flue pipe – DYOR)

It’s actually because we are doing IVF and I’ve been told that I shouldn’t sit on a bike saddle much until it works or doesn’t

Been there. I remember not taking it well when I was told I shouldn’t ride my bike for a while. Best of luck to you and yours.

They’re not particularly cheap but would a suitably sized Asgard in place of your shed help? They can be insurance friendly with the right padlocks and things.

Can you not just crack a few off into a jar, put it in the freezer, and continue riding?

@thekingisdead – you’re right, I’m just using steam as a catch all word. There are no leaks or anything as per our annual boiler service and nothing seems to have changed. There are no other outlets no…although it is not floored solidly, there are a couple paving slabs and it’s just earth or foundation material in there. It does feel humid and warm when I open it on hot days.

@soundninjauk – thanks! Hoping it achieves the goods. Trying not to moan too much in front of my wife as she will be getting jagged up left right and centre…but yeah was hoping to have a good summer of riding! thought about an Asgard but probably easier just to use what I have tbh! And cheaper.

@montgomery – you may be onto something

if you arent going to ride for a while strip the bike down and put it in the loft.

Is the dampness coming through the floor? My garage has a cobble floor and I was in there today and it was damp.
How about a bathroom fan? I think that’s how I’m going in the garage. Probably on a timer.

Get it properly dry in the house or hot sun for a few hours and vac pack it .

Probably best to loosen stem and turn bars to make it “flat”

Check it to ensure it’s still under vac