Best bicycle sheds to keep your bike secure and dry
Best bicycle sheds to keep your bike secure and dry
Protect your prized pedallers from sticky-fingered thieves and the pesky elements
As an environmentally and cost-effective method of getting around town – and with the added bonus of being an easily accessible and family-friendly form of recreational exercise, its popularity is riding at an all-time high, buoyed by UK triumphs at major events such as the Tour de France and investments in the city’s cycle lane network.
The recent lockdowns further fuelled the bike buying fire while high-spending consumer groups such as MAMILs (that’s middle-aged men in lycra to you and I) have helped flood our streets with high-value bikes. With such rich pickings to be had, it’s small wonder bike crime has soared. All of which begs the question of how to safely store our steeds, removed not only from prying eyes and light-fingered opportunists but the rarefied rigours of our climate – all without cluttering and mudding up our homes.
Not all bike sheds are born equal, however. For starters, there’s an embarrassment of shoddily-built, best-avoided cut-price tat on the market, from flimsy wood-slatted sheds to a bevy of tented options that’ll likely leak, collapse or blow away in their first storm, causing untold damage to your bikes in the process. On the other hand, premium models can run into the thousands. As such, it pays to do your research to make the most of your budget while addressing your outdoor space issues, security concerns and outdoor aesthetic.
Need high levels of security? Look for Police and Locksmith Approved models. Limited outdoor space? Consider a vertical bike locker. Security your priority? Think metal sheds, although they’re generally less attractive. Want to customise or decorate your bike shed? Think wood. Plastic options, meanwhile, typically feature padlocked lids, offering a basic security deterrent, and can look a bit cheap and, well, plasticky, but they score points for their inherent value, ready availability and for being so low-maintenance and durable.
Internally, models featuring internal hooks and shelves – or provision for adding shelves – can be really handy for storing additional cycling paraphernalia such as helmets, jackets and panniers. For added internal security, look for beefy anchor hooks and integral security bars to chain your bikes to.
I’d also recommend ensuring your chosen model features an integral floor – something some models don’t have – for added security and protection from the elements. Adequate ventilation is also crucial to avoid build-ups of condensation and mould that could damage your precious contents. Read on for a taste of what the market has in store.
Best for: value metal bike shed
Bradford-based Asgard is known for making high-quality and durable metal bike shelters and I really like their products, covering a broad range of options across the size and budget spectrum.
This particular model, sitting towards the more affordable end of the company’s offerings, is its bestseller for good reason. A nice, family-friendly model it comes in three sizes; 3ft, 6ft and 8ft the latter of which can fit four bikes and it’s certainly no tinfoil terror being solidly constructed, weighing in at 114kg.
Despite being reinforced (read heavy), the lid can be easily raised thanks to the gas-assisted mechanism. For added security and peace of mind it comes fitted with two external, steel plated ‘shrouded’ locking points and an integral steel deadbolt locking bar inside the doors. Plus, there’s the option of bolting the integral metal floor to the ground using the supplied fixing bolts (recommended).
Another nice feature is that you can customise your shed storage functionality to your needs by investing in further Asgard bike shed accessory items such as hooks and shelves – and the 10-year warranty and free UK mainland delivery won’t go amiss either.
Lifetime Horizontal Storage Shed
Best for: low-maintenance bike shed
Plastic models aren’t always the most attractive of outdoor storage options but this circa £500 horizontal storage option, with its faux plank styling and light beige body topped off by a darker roof, is one of the easier on the eye.
That stain-resistant, dual wall plastic exterior, made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), just screams low-maintenance: simply give it an occasional wash down and it’ll look smart for years to come. Like the steel hinges and padlock-able hasp, the durable exterior is weather-resistant while the UV-protection helps to prevent fading and cracking.
Those dimensions (132cm high X 108cm x 191.1cm) allow for ample storage of your family’s two-wheelers which are easily stashed or accessed thanks to the double door frontage and spring-hinged lid. Other welcome points include the five-year limited warranty.
SafeStor 3’x6′ Heavy Duty Metal Bicycle Locker- Double Entry
Secure, durable, weatherproof, and maintenance-free, this premium metal bike shed is built to last.
Designed & manufactured in the UK from heavy-duty galvanised steel panels, this storage unit will withstand the British weather and won’t rust. Supplied with a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.
With access from both ends, featuring an interior steel divider panel to separate bikes, both doors operate and lock independently from each other. Each fitted with a Multi-Point Locking System with anti-pick & drill properties, an Integrated Metal Floor, weighing 170kgs this metal shed provides the superior security that your valuable bike equipment needs whilst protecting them from damage or theft.
Rowlinson Timber 6×3 Bicycle Wallstore Shed – Grey Wash
Whether it is to keep your bikes safe and secure or to store all of your gardening essentials, this Rowlinson Overlap Wallstore/Bike Store is a must-have. Featuring wide, lockable double doors for easy access and security, this clever storage solution has a tongue and groove floor with a solid board roof. Supplied in its natural timber form, this store has also been pressure treated against rot so that you have the peace of mind that it will last a very long time.
