daveinva
12-27-2011, 10:19 AM
Just felt like sharing ('tis the season, after all!).
Bike Barn: http://www.thebikebarn.net/smartbarn_model.html
Living without a garage, I bought the trike model from Bike Barn for my driveway. They're not cheap-- $450 *before* shipping and any extras-- but they're nicely made.
Assembly was hampered by confusing instructions (aren't they always?), but aided greatly by having an extra pair of hands (one person could put this together, but it'd take you a day and a thousand swear words... trust me, offer a buddy some beer and it'll go MUCH faster). Total assembly time was about two hours or so, would have gone faster with clearer instructions.
It's big enough to fit my RS with some room to spare up front for a little Suncast seat box to store gear, plus space for the little dehumidifier heater that Bike Barn sells as an accessory. There are photos of a Goldwing Trike on the Bike Barn site; the RS fits better than that, with more room on the sides of the wheels (not a LOT more room, but it's not as cozy as that Goldwing looks). If you own an RT, it's plenty big for one, but I doubt you'd have room for anything else (I can park the RS further back because the rear isn't as high as the RT, giving me that space up front).
You can securely bolt down the Barn if you choose-- I didn't, I've got enough shelter from the wind in my driveway, plus the Spyder's front wheels roll over the bolt-down slats when it's parked inside, so it won't go anywhere with the Spyder inside (with it outside, if wind's trouble, you'd probably want to use a couple of sandbags to weight down the frame). You can also add included locking hardware to the frame, you'll just need two padlocks to secure it.
The cover is tough textile, it's not going to rip or tear during normal use. The cover has two velcro/mesh vent flaps on the sides to help move air through the Barn. The inside frame assembles through the cover like a pole tent, again it's easiest with two people. The inside frame provides plenty of attachment points for hooks, straps, mechanic's lights, etc., if you so choose.
The Barn's about 6 feet wide, and my driveway's about 9 feet wide from the side of my house to my neighbor's fence, so it leaves enough room to fit past it heading to my backyard. If I ever need to move it, two people can easily lift it up and carry it even after it's assembled.
Using the Barn is easy as anything- just lift it up accordion style, then shut it. Biggest inconvenience is that it's not really recommended to ride the Spyder *into* the Barn-- I stop a few feet from it, then just roll the Spyder the rest of the way into the Barn.
Anyway... again, it's not cheap, but it's a solidly-made product that appears built to last more than a season or two, so for those folks without a garage, it's a great option. I'll add some pictures later when I can.
Bike Barn: http://www.thebikebarn.net/smartbarn_model.html
Living without a garage, I bought the trike model from Bike Barn for my driveway. They're not cheap-- $450 *before* shipping and any extras-- but they're nicely made.
Assembly was hampered by confusing instructions (aren't they always?), but aided greatly by having an extra pair of hands (one person could put this together, but it'd take you a day and a thousand swear words... trust me, offer a buddy some beer and it'll go MUCH faster). Total assembly time was about two hours or so, would have gone faster with clearer instructions.
It's big enough to fit my RS with some room to spare up front for a little Suncast seat box to store gear, plus space for the little dehumidifier heater that Bike Barn sells as an accessory. There are photos of a Goldwing Trike on the Bike Barn site; the RS fits better than that, with more room on the sides of the wheels (not a LOT more room, but it's not as cozy as that Goldwing looks). If you own an RT, it's plenty big for one, but I doubt you'd have room for anything else (I can park the RS further back because the rear isn't as high as the RT, giving me that space up front).
You can securely bolt down the Barn if you choose-- I didn't, I've got enough shelter from the wind in my driveway, plus the Spyder's front wheels roll over the bolt-down slats when it's parked inside, so it won't go anywhere with the Spyder inside (with it outside, if wind's trouble, you'd probably want to use a couple of sandbags to weight down the frame). You can also add included locking hardware to the frame, you'll just need two padlocks to secure it.
The cover is tough textile, it's not going to rip or tear during normal use. The cover has two velcro/mesh vent flaps on the sides to help move air through the Barn. The inside frame assembles through the cover like a pole tent, again it's easiest with two people. The inside frame provides plenty of attachment points for hooks, straps, mechanic's lights, etc., if you so choose.
The Barn's about 6 feet wide, and my driveway's about 9 feet wide from the side of my house to my neighbor's fence, so it leaves enough room to fit past it heading to my backyard. If I ever need to move it, two people can easily lift it up and carry it even after it's assembled.
Using the Barn is easy as anything- just lift it up accordion style, then shut it. Biggest inconvenience is that it's not really recommended to ride the Spyder *into* the Barn-- I stop a few feet from it, then just roll the Spyder the rest of the way into the Barn.
Anyway... again, it's not cheap, but it's a solidly-made product that appears built to last more than a season or two, so for those folks without a garage, it's a great option. I'll add some pictures later when I can.