I am contemplating how to safely get my tri bike to my race, about a 14 hour drive. I’ve got a hitch mount bike rack, but am not thrilled about having bike naked on the rack. I was looking at velosock, but did see one review where the tri bike was damaged.
Anyone have experience with this or ideas for safe transport?
There will be 2 dogs in back of SUV, so not possible to just put bike inside car.
thanks!
Em
No experience, but I would totally consider this.
Why would it be more safe under a cover?
I am contemplating how to safely get my tri bike to my race, about a 14 hour drive. I’ve got a hitch mount bike rack, but am not thrilled about having bike naked on the rack. I was looking at velosock, but did see one review where the tri bike was damaged.
Anyone have experience with this or ideas for safe transport?
There will be 2 dogs in back of SUV, so not possible to just put bike inside car.
thanks!
Em
What are your safety concerns? I’ve driven thousands of miles over the years without an issue with a bike on a rack.
I was worried about road debris, etc gunking it all up during the drive. Honestly haven’t driven a long distance with my tri bike on rack before- usually have it inside but this time the pups are coming along.
So you guys never have any issues?
I started a thread on this topic several weeks ago after returning from a trip to/from Colorado (TX origin) where I came across several areas where new asphalt was being laid down and one piece of road debris caused a chip on my bike’s paint.
I haven’t pulled the trigger yet as I have no long distance trips planned until later in the year.
I’ll be interested to hear what you end up with and how it works…I have a Kuat hitch mount and want to make sure there are openings for the locking mechanism.
I was worried about road debris, etc gunking it all up during the drive. Honestly haven’t driven a long distance with my tri bike on rack before- usually have it inside but this time the pups are coming along.
So you guys never have any issues?
If it rains, I’ll wipe down and lube the chain when I get there. Beyond that I don’t worry about it, bikes are meant for outside.
I have no idea if it would be an issue, but I’ve wondered if hours of a flapping cover could cause wear damage.
Hanging hitch rack or tray? I’d say good to go with a tray. Don’t think I’d trust a hanging rack.
Following
Driving throw Maryland/Virginia on my way to Blue Ridge 70.3 I mustve killed hundreds of Cicadas on my grill/windshield. Thump thump thump on the highway. I can see the desire to have a cover
I would worry about a cover flapping in the wind and scratching up the bike. That’s why people transporting cars on open trailers don’t use car covers.
I have a hanging rack. Should I change that up?
Have you tried velosock? How did it work?
Tray style racks are generally more secure and prevent any movement of the bike during travel. there is also the benefit of there being the tray under the bike helping to prevent anything large flying up and striking the bike.
My Kuat Sherpa sits the bikes close behind my vehicle.
Pretty low chance of rocks, bugs, debris hitting the bike.
A cover would create a sail effect and likely cause damage from rubbing.
Only once, when I had to drive through a brutal storm did I take the bikes off and squeeze them into the hatch.
Even then, they probably would have been just fine.
Wipe down the chains and relube.
I have a 1up USA hitch rack and have travelled to Florida several times with a couple bikes on the back.
They have always been fine but when travelling from Canada in the winter with snow/slush and covered in road salt I did not want this in every crevice of my bikes.
I used a packing stretch wrap and covered my bike entirely with it. I wrapped it around each individual surface with a few layers and taped it down with duct tape to keep it from ripping and flapping around. It worked perfectly.
Awesome! I was contemplating using plastic wrap to cover key areas. Perfect solution. I wish I could buy a 1Up for the trip, but they seem backordered.
Awesome! I was contemplating using plastic wrap to cover key areas. Perfect solution. I wish I could buy a 1Up for the trip, but they seem backordered.
The guy who split off from 1up is now slowly pushing out his Quick Rack Mach2 but same supply chain issues as everyone else.
They look nicer than the 1up though.