The 10 Best Bike Covers
Special Honors
Evoc Padded Bike Rug If your goal is to protect your bike from physical damage, as opposed to wear and tear from the elements, the Evoc Padded Rug can help. It is made from a durable P600 D PU fabric that doesn't absorb moisture and is highly abrasion resistant. Despite its protective properties, it is still lightweight for easy handling. evocsports.com
Ador Elastic Wheel Cover In stark contrast to the other models on our list, which cover bikes from top to bottom, this elastic option from Ador is designed to only cover the dirty parts of your bike so you can store it in your home without having to worry about marring the walls or floor. It comes in a variety of eye-catching designs too, like starry sky, colorful light, and iridescent cloud. ador.com
Editor's Notes
May 21, 2021:
We didn't adjust much this time around, but the two changes we made were pretty big. The TeamObsidian Waterproof Outdoor is our new #1 thanks to three sizes and two portability levels to choose from. That versatility plus a generally great build quality makes it the best choice for most riders.
The other new addition is the BikeParka Urban. It's easily the best-looking because it's designed to conform to your bike. Not everyone will find it very cost-effective though, because it's considerably more expensive than most others. If you want to save money, the ClawsCover XXL, Topeak Nylon, and Ohuhu Outdoor Waterproof are all good-performing and reasonably priced options.
December 30, 2019:
Though it had been a couple of years since we last scoured the market for the best bike covers, we found that little had changed in regards to the features on offer. Other than overall durability, the most important things to look for in a cover are waterproofing, UV-ray resistance, and weatherability. After that, we took into account additional features like lock holes, reflective accents, wind-resistant straps, and elastic hemming.
Currently, our favorite option is the Pro Bike Tool. It scores high marks in all of the above categories and is available in one-, two-, and three-bike models. That being said, the TeamObsidian Waterproof Outdoor deserves special mention for having two lock holes, versus the one found in most others. This allows you to secure both the front and rear wheels to prevent theft. And yes, speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that people do still steal tires even if the bike itself is locked up.
When it comes to style, we feel the ClawsCover XXL and Protugere Premium are at the top of the pack. The former has a cool bear face and claws graphic, while the latter has a modern-looking logo and neon green accents that really make it pop.
Of all the options on our list, the Ohuhu Outdoor Waterproof is the most affordable, but it is worth noting that it tends to deteriorate from the elements quicker than many others, so you get what you pay for. On the flip side, it was the only model we examined that had a top strap that makes it more convenient when you need to hang dry it after some rain.
During this update, we decided to eliminate the Baleaf Oxford Heavy Duty. Since it was no longer available in a variety of eye-catching colors and designs, we felt it didn't offer anything more than the other models on our list. We also removed the CoverMates Elite, as many people felt the tacky inner material made it too difficult to slip on and remove from their bike.
What To Look For In A Bicycle Cover
This allows you to easily take the cover with you on bike rides, so your bike can be protected while you are at work or inside a store.
Bicycle covers are simple accessories that can help keep your bicycle in good working order when storage outside cannot be avoided. Despite their simplicity, there are a few things that one should look for that can make a huge difference in a bicycle cover's effectiveness. First and foremost, one must ensure that the bicycle cover in question is large enough to fully cover the entire bicycle, from tire to tire. Bike covers that are too small can be a hassle to put on and take off, as well as provide limited protection against the elements.
Ideally one should choose a bicycle cover that has some type of closure system on the bottom. This can be a zipper, buttons, or tie straps. This will help prevent dust from getting into the gears, chains and cables, which can affect a bike's performance. Another feature that can be beneficial to find on the bottom of a bicycle cover is a lock hole. This allows one to keep a bike securely locked up while being kept covered and safe from the elements at the same time.
Take the material make up of the bicycle cover being considered into account as well. Look for one that is crafted from nylon or some kind of polymer fabric that can stand up to daily sun and rain exposure. Many have a UPF rating, which tells prospective buyers how effective its material is at blocking the sun's harmful UV rays. You also want to check the details of the material specifications to ensure it water proof, puncture, and tear resistant.
If you often use your bike to commute to and from work or other places, a bicycle cover that comes with a carry bag of some kind can be helpful. Some may even have one integrated into the cover itself. This allows you to easily take the cover with you on bike rides, so your bike can be protected while you are at work or inside a store.
Why Use A Bicycle Cover
Most people don't realize how quickly a bicycle can deteriorate when left unprotected outdoors. Depending on the climate where one lives, visible signs of damage can be seen in as little as one week. Generally speaking, the more humid the environment, the quicker signs of rust appear. In states like Florida or Louisiana, bikes will deteriorate quicker when left outdoors that in states like California or Arizona.
They also keep dust out of the gears and chain, which keeps a bike running smoother for longer.
Temperature also plays a large role in how quickly bicycle components will deteriorate. Overly hot climates can cause plastic and rubber parts to become brittle and break. Tires and tubes can also start to crack and may pop easier when pressure is applied, like when one takes the bike out for a ride. Sun exposure can cause the colors of the frame, seat, tires, and pedals to fade causing the bicycle to have a washed out look. It is also responsible for making tires brittle.
In cold weather, brittle plastic and rubber components are less of a issue, but it still provides its own unique problems. Extremely cold weather can cause parts to rust quicker, especially as condensation is formed when the early morning cold gives way to warmer temperatures of the day. It will often cause metals parts to seize up if not kept properly lubricated as well.
Bicycle covers cannot completely prevent all of these problems, but they go a long way to reduce many of the problems associated with keeping bikes outdoors. They prevent color bleaching from direct sun exposure, reduce the chances of tires becoming brittle, and keep bikes dry when it is snowing or raining. They also keep dust out of the gears and chain, which keeps a bike running smoother for longer.
Biking For Good Health
Biking offers one of the best high cardio, low-impact workouts for the body. Unlike running, biking causes minimal stress on the joints, making it the ideal exercise for people of all ages and physical fitness levels.
The more oxygen supplied to the muscles, the quicker they can grow and the quicker they recover from intense workouts.
Aerobic exercise is important to the body for many reasons. It increases the heart's ability to pump blood and improves circulation. Blood is also the fluid that delivers oxygen to the muscles. The more oxygen supplied to the muscles, the quicker they can grow and the quicker they recover from intense workouts. As the amount of blood pumped by the heart increases, the lungs need to increase their oxygen absorption to keep up with demand. This makes the lungs stronger and more efficient. All of these things make the immune system and the body stronger.
Regular cycling can also help keep weight under control, which is vital when trying to keep a healthy body. Being overweight is known to lead to serious medical complications like heart disease, strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure, Osteoarthritis, and even cancer. Some people have even lost over 200 pounds just by making bicycling part of their daily routine.
In addition to physical health, biking can also improve mental well being. One in five people in America will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. While many choose to use medications to combat depression, it is neither the healthiest, nor most effective route. Scientist believe that implementing regular exercise into one's routine can reduce the symptoms of depression quicker than medications, and with no adverse side effects.