How bad is it to leave a bicycle outside in freezing temperatures?

I live on the 4th floor of a building with no place to lock up on the main floor. It is inside when I'm at work but I've been leaving it outside overnight.

I know I need to use extra lube and clean it more in the winter but I just feel bad for it & feel like it is not good for it to be outside when it gets this cold.

It's a Bass frame from the early 80s with fairly new wheels & chain (in the chance those details matter).

Is the cold bad enough for it to bring it inside most nights?

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Permalink Reply by Scott Padiak on February 15, 2012 at 11:12am

If you have a leather saddle, be sure to protect it from getting wet. I learned this lesson harshly, lost my best Brooks after a summer of swimming and hopping back on the bike wet. Since then I keep a Jewel bag with the bike that can be employed as an ersatz seat cover. If the only wet your saddle ever feels is your sweat, it will bolster it's longevity. If you want to treat it very well, give it a coat of Proofhide now and then.

Long Live Leather!