Bicycle storage external to house
Discussion
I'm very happy that soon I'll be able to commute to a new job on my bike! But this brings a problem in terms of where to store the bike.
My house has been extended and the garage converted so there's currently no access around the sides of the house, the only way to get the bike from the garden shed (current home) to the road is to carry it through the house, less than ideal.
My options are either 1, fit an external store out the front of the house (we have space for one), or 2, put a gate in the back fence and continue to use the garden shed.
There is a path that runs behind all the houses in the row. However we're mid row, it's narrow and there's a big stone at one end quite deliberately preventing cycling through. There's a question around overall security, too. A box out front is more visible and therefore more attractive however, I've no idea how secure these are. My wife is insisting on wood construction, not helping matters. I don't expect I'll have anything expensive in them (my creaky Dawes XC is worth about 3p) but I don't want to make an obvious target m a neighbour has a similar box on their driveway, not aware of any attempts on it.
I'd be interested to hear from the PH collective what their thoughts are!
And of course I'll be reading other threads because I now have a reason to purchase a new bike
My house has been extended and the garage converted so there's currently no access around the sides of the house, the only way to get the bike from the garden shed (current home) to the road is to carry it through the house, less than ideal.
My options are either 1, fit an external store out the front of the house (we have space for one), or 2, put a gate in the back fence and continue to use the garden shed.
There is a path that runs behind all the houses in the row. However we're mid row, it's narrow and there's a big stone at one end quite deliberately preventing cycling through. There's a question around overall security, too. A box out front is more visible and therefore more attractive however, I've no idea how secure these are. My wife is insisting on wood construction, not helping matters. I don't expect I'll have anything expensive in them (my creaky Dawes XC is worth about 3p) but I don't want to make an obvious target m a neighbour has a similar box on their driveway, not aware of any attempts on it.
I'd be interested to hear from the PH collective what their thoughts are!
And of course I'll be reading other threads because I now have a reason to purchase a new bike
SwissJonese said:
Shed's are easy targets so not wise to store bikes in.
Buy a proper secure bike store like Asgard, cover it with wood cladding to keep wife happy? Use ground anchor with a motorbike chain and lock.
Do you have one of these? I wouldn't be averse to considering one myself, would mean freeing up some garage space for more bikes! How do they cope with condensation? My bikes live a fairly comfortable life in a brick, carpet tiled garage at present, and due to being internal isn't always as cold either. Due to an extension we have no side access anymore yet can easily wheel through the garage and utility into the garden. Ours is enclosed so is definitely away from prying eyes.Buy a proper secure bike store like Asgard, cover it with wood cladding to keep wife happy? Use ground anchor with a motorbike chain and lock.
Frimley111R said:
SwissJonese said:
Shed's are easy targets so not wise to store bikes in.
But they do hide bikes quite well. Thanks all, I gather the consensus is that it's better to have them out the front than a convuluted exit to the rear of the property. I will trial the commuting for a little while before I commit to any solution. A ground anchor seems sensible and should be doable, the box would sit partly on a tarmac driveway.
What's the commute like?
Could you get a Brompton and make the storage easy?
Do you need a shiny thief-magnet of a bike to commute on?
Unless the commute is quite demanding, just get an adequate used bike, a decent lock and avoid the stress.
A ground anchor is worth doing, as is a reasonable attempt at keeping people out of your shed.
Some PIR lights and a sign about CCTV?
Personally, I'd suggest a shed in the back garden and sort an access gate if it's plausible to lift a bike out of the back lane.
A bike store in the front garden looks like it's going to have a nice bike in it, while a shed in the back garden is likely full of tat and a moody lawnmower.
OTOH, a bike takes up a lot of shed space.
Could you get a Brompton and make the storage easy?
Do you need a shiny thief-magnet of a bike to commute on?
Unless the commute is quite demanding, just get an adequate used bike, a decent lock and avoid the stress.
A ground anchor is worth doing, as is a reasonable attempt at keeping people out of your shed.
Some PIR lights and a sign about CCTV?
Personally, I'd suggest a shed in the back garden and sort an access gate if it's plausible to lift a bike out of the back lane.
A bike store in the front garden looks like it's going to have a nice bike in it, while a shed in the back garden is likely full of tat and a moody lawnmower.
OTOH, a bike takes up a lot of shed space.
OutInTheShed said:
What's the commute like?
Could you get a Brompton and make the storage easy?
Do you need a shiny thief-magnet of a bike to commute on?
Unless the commute is quite demanding, just get an adequate used bike, a decent lock and avoid the stress.
A ground anchor is worth doing, as is a reasonable attempt at keeping people out of your shed.
Some PIR lights and a sign about CCTV?
Personally, I'd suggest a shed in the back garden and sort an access gate if it's plausible to lift a bike out of the back lane.
A bike store in the front garden looks like it's going to have a nice bike in it, while a shed in the back garden is likely full of tat and a moody lawnmower.
OTOH, a bike takes up a lot of shed space.
It's about 4 miles each way, urban, some elevation. Brompton is a nice idea. I had ambitions of it being my main/only bike so wanted something more road-biased. I absolutely don't want a thief magnet, not interested in brands or fashion, function all the way for me, it'll never be an expensive bike. But it would still be annoying if it was nicked, however I'd be far more concerned if someone gained access to our garden etc.Could you get a Brompton and make the storage easy?
Do you need a shiny thief-magnet of a bike to commute on?
Unless the commute is quite demanding, just get an adequate used bike, a decent lock and avoid the stress.
A ground anchor is worth doing, as is a reasonable attempt at keeping people out of your shed.
Some PIR lights and a sign about CCTV?
Personally, I'd suggest a shed in the back garden and sort an access gate if it's plausible to lift a bike out of the back lane.
A bike store in the front garden looks like it's going to have a nice bike in it, while a shed in the back garden is likely full of tat and a moody lawnmower.
OTOH, a bike takes up a lot of shed space.
I have a single speed too, and I find the lack of top speed frustrating, as much as I'd not trouble that much on my commute, and I'd planned to sell it any way.
I know what you mean about targets, our shed would take about 5 seconds for someone determined to gain entry, it would have to be replaced to achieve any meaningful level of security.
Ryyy said:
Do you know the gear ratio of your single speed? Could always up it 
single speeds really aren't a magnet, I do wonder if my fixie was stolen would they just fall off the minute they tried to stop 
Haha indeed! It's 42:16, there's some hills around me so I'd be nervous of going any longer as then I'd struggle to get up some of the climbs. single speeds really aren't a magnet, I do wonder if my fixie was stolen would they just fall off the minute they tried to stop RenesisEvo said:
Haha indeed! It's 42:16, there's some hills around me so I'd be nervous of going any longer as then I'd struggle to get up some of the climbs.
Ahh yeah, can't fault you there. There's no hills near me only a couple of flyovers and even then halfway up I'm reconsidering my choice to go over them 
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