Transporting your bikes on a car rack for a road trip seems convenient, but should you cover them? After a 3100-mile journey from San Diego, California, to Bellingham, Washington, with two ebikes on a Thule Easyfold XT2 rack, I learned firsthand why covering your bikes during transit is often a bad idea. While the instinct to protect your valuable bikes with a Bike Cycle Cover might be strong, several factors make this practice more harmful than helpful, especially for long hauls.
The Hidden Costs of Bike Covers: Fuel Efficiency and Wind Resistance
One of the most immediate downsides I noticed was the significant drop in fuel efficiency. My Mercedes E-500 4-matic wagon experienced a 4 to 5 mpg decrease with uncovered bikes. Imagine how much worse it would be with bike cycle covers acting like sails, catching even more wind! These covers drastically increase aerodynamic drag, forcing your vehicle to work harder and consume more fuel. For long trips, this added fuel cost can really add up, making a supposed protective measure economically counterproductive.
Bike Cover Durability: Not Built for Highway Speeds
Think those commercially available bike covers are tough? They’re simply not designed for the sustained onslaught of 70 mph winds you encounter on highways. The force of the wind at these speeds is immense, and most pre-made covers will quickly succumb to tearing and ripping. Instead of protecting your bikes, you’ll likely end up with shredded fabric flapping in the wind, creating an even bigger drag problem and potentially damaging your bikes with the loose material.
Stress and Stability: Bike Covers Impact Your Rack and Hitch
Beyond the cover itself, consider the added stress wind pressure puts on your entire bike rack system. A bike cycle cover transforms your bikes into large, unwieldy objects that catch the wind. This significantly increases the load and strain on the bike rack and your vehicle’s hitch. This added stress, especially over long distances and varying road conditions, could potentially compromise the stability and longevity of your rack and hitch system, components crucial for safely transporting your bikes.
Visibility and Safety: Obstructed Views and Lights
Safety should always be paramount. Bike covers often severely restrict your center rear visibility, essential for safe driving, lane changes, and reversing. Furthermore, many covers can obscure brake lights, tail lights, and even your license plate, all critical for road safety and legal compliance. Compromising visibility and obscuring lights significantly increases the risk of accidents, negating any perceived protection a bike cover might offer. It’s simply not worth jeopardizing your safety and the safety of others on the road.
Preparing Your Bikes for Travel: Better Protection Strategies
Instead of relying on problematic bike cycle covers, focus on properly preparing your bikes for the journey. I found that removing easily detachable components is far more effective. Take off batteries (especially for ebikes), displays, seats and seat posts, bags, locks, water bottles – anything that adds weight, wind resistance, or could be easily damaged or lost. Protect electrical connection points with covers like Bosch rubber contact covers or even cling film to guard against moisture and debris.
Applying a quality wax or silicon-based surface protectant to your bike frame and components is another excellent preventative measure. This creates a hydrophobic layer, allowing water and road grime to easily drip off, making post-trip cleaning much simpler and protecting the paintwork. Focus on allowing your bike to dry and breathe naturally rather than trapping moisture under a cover, which can lead to corrosion and other issues over time.
In conclusion, while the idea of a bike cycle cover might seem appealing for protecting your bikes during car transport, the practical realities, especially for long journeys, reveal more drawbacks than benefits. Prioritize fuel efficiency, safety, and the integrity of your bike rack by forgoing the cover and instead focusing on proper bike preparation and component removal. Safe travels!
