Bike + rack in the rain?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bike + rack in the rain?
I recently purchased a trailer-type bike rack from Thule after saving up for quite a while.
After installing the rack, it just dawned on my that maybe I should get a cover for the bikes in case of rain. What's the convention? When it rains while you have your bike hung on the bike rack, do you let them get soaked? Do you cover them?
After installing the rack, it just dawned on my that maybe I should get a cover for the bikes in case of rain. What's the convention? When it rains while you have your bike hung on the bike rack, do you let them get soaked? Do you cover them?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Along the Rivers of Pittsburgh
Posts: 1,255
Bikes: 2011 Novara Forza Hybrid, 2005 Trek 820, 1989 Cannondale SR500 Black Lightning, 1975 Mundo Cycles Caloi Racer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 258 Post(s)
Liked 291 Times
in
157 Posts
If you mean cover them while actually driving, then no - a cover will act as a huge sail putting all kind of weird stress on the rack. The bikes can handle the rain - just dry them, lube the chain and you should be good to go.
#3
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,273
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1428 Post(s)
Liked 697 Times
in
353 Posts
Just let them get wet. Relube the chain if necessary.
If your seat absorbs water, you may want to put a plastic bag over that.
If your seat absorbs water, you may want to put a plastic bag over that.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times
in
604 Posts
I cover the seat and handlebars with plastic bags. The rest of the bike is fine.
#5
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 25
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just do what you'd do if you've been out on your bikes in the rain.
I use a carrier bag for my bike seat but only because it's ancient and needs it.
I use a carrier bag for my bike seat but only because it's ancient and needs it.
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the responses. I usually don't go out to bike on a rainy day, so I didn't realize it's not even a serious problem.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kearneysville, WV
Posts: 739
Bikes: 2012 Cannondale Flash Alloy 2 (mountain bike), 2010 Schwinn Paramount Series 7 (road bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just cover the seats with plastic bags on our bikes. They'll be fine in the rain, other than getting a bit dirty; no biggie.
I'm not sure about the rack but my two month old Thule has some visible, light surface rust around bolts or "rivets." Not sure what to make of that but I'm not happy about it.
I'm not sure about the rack but my two month old Thule has some visible, light surface rust around bolts or "rivets." Not sure what to make of that but I'm not happy about it.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 3,811
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What everybody else said. I have three steel bikes that sat on a patio two blocks from the Pacific Ocean for about two years, salty mist on them nearly every day, and while they did develop some superficial rust, nothing significant happened (they'd been Frame Savered, which probably helped). My racks, a Thule and a Yakima, got light rust on some of the fasteners and rivets, but that's all. I'd rather there were no rust at all, but indoor storage wasn't possible.
Coating exposed parts with wax or clear nail polish might have helped. Fresh water, from rain or stream crossings, shouldn't be a problem. My mountain bike has been completely submerged three or four times without damage.
Coating exposed parts with wax or clear nail polish might have helped. Fresh water, from rain or stream crossings, shouldn't be a problem. My mountain bike has been completely submerged three or four times without damage.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kearneysville, WV
Posts: 739
Bikes: 2012 Cannondale Flash Alloy 2 (mountain bike), 2010 Schwinn Paramount Series 7 (road bike)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What everybody else said. I have three steel bikes that sat on a patio two blocks from the Pacific Ocean for about two years, salty mist on them nearly every day, and while they did develop some superficial rust, nothing significant happened (they'd been Frame Savered, which probably helped). My racks, a Thule and a Yakima, got light rust on some of the fasteners and rivets, but that's all. I'd rather there were no rust at all, but indoor storage wasn't possible.
Coating exposed parts with wax or clear nail polish might have helped. Fresh water, from rain or stream crossings, shouldn't be a problem. My mountain bike has been completely submerged three or four times without damage.
Coating exposed parts with wax or clear nail polish might have helped. Fresh water, from rain or stream crossings, shouldn't be a problem. My mountain bike has been completely submerged three or four times without damage.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,520
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5218 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
2,331 Posts
I have, in the past, during foul months where road salt is used, covered the drive train, front & rear gears and chain with plastic bags and taped them on. there are some days during the fall/winter/spring in NE where the roads are just nasty especially if there's rain & road spray. it's so much easier to protect the gear and chain than to clean them. during summer months / clean road months where there just may be rain and mild road spray I cover nothing. the only exception would be if I were to bring my bike that has a the leather saddle, then that would get some paper towels and 3 platsic bags firmly attached!