kw227

I am a college student that enjoys biking and generally bring my bike home on breaks to ride while I'm at home. I normally put my bike on my bike rack and hope that it doesn't rain. However, this past weekend I ran into quite a bit of rain and didn't want it exposed to all the weather. I was able to fit it into the back seat of my car just barely. However, over summer breaks and longer breaks I don't always have room in my car to transport a bike inside it. I was wondering what the best way to protect my bike from the rain while still using the bike rack would be?

alias5000

You could lock it up under a tarp.

Bmach

Don't worry about it. Just dry the chain and then lube if caught in the rain. I have been doing that with for years and have not had a problem yet. I would not cover as the tarp could do a number on the paint.

indyfabz

What sort of rack? If a rear rack, bungee a cheap, plastic tarp or old tent rainfly around it.

Marcus_Ti

It's a bike, not a sculpture made of sugar.

rumrunn6

I have a leather saddle. the rest of my family have saddles that absorb water. so when we travel & expect rain I cover all the saddles with 2 grocery store shopping bags & either tie them off under the saddle or just use tape. then scissors to cut them off. I do remember at least one time, wrapping my bike's front & rear chanrings with bags too. it's harder & you need more tape but it helped kept the road grime off

btw I now have a waterproof saddle cover for my leather saddle. bought it on amazon

KLiNCK

+1!!!

Kindaslow

It will be ok in the rain. Just dry it off when you get home.

curbowman

The best chain lube for wet conditions is paraffin wax, by far. It repels water and seals dirt and moisture better than any oil. And you can do it at home:
https://youtu.be/gF9nbwsaSHs

Paul Barnard

A cheap shower cap with a decent elastic band will do the trick too.

jefnvk

+1. I've got shower caps stuffed up in the rails under all my saddles. Bonus is if you get caught out in the rain while riding, they can also double as helmet covers!

rumrunn6

big fan of shower caps for cycling purposes!

rydabent

Personally I would go to Home Depot and get a roll of heavy plastic, it doesnt cost much. That and some duct tape would seal it up tight. I simply dont believe in getting bikes wet if you can help it.

tornado60

I carry bikes on my car all the time. If you need the saddle to be dry plastic bag or shower cap as others have suggested. Beyond that just dry it off as soon as you can. Once a year I scrub off any rust seal with wax, and give everything a good lubing. I may lube more often if things seem stiff or I hear something that needs it.

1Coopgt

Why not mark the seat stem with some painters tape and remove the seat if your worried about it getting wet . Seat stem is either a quick release or one cap screw .

Hardrock23

It will be fine in the rain. Just dry the bike off once you get it out of the rain.

If I know it will be raining while taking the bike somewhere, I tie a grocery bag around the saddle and one on each side of my handlebar (drop bars). I keep 3 or 4 bags in my SUV.

GerryinHouston

A shower cap can do dual duty. Over the helmet when I am riding, over the Brooks B17 when I am carrying the bike on the rack. I carry one always in the tool bag (I have a big one).

ep776

Good Idea

bobwysiwyg

I guess I have to play contrarian here. I haul bikes on a hitch mounted rack behind my Honda Pilot. Just brought two back from the U.P. that my wife and I had to leave there last fall. The rear of the car, any car, creates a low pressure area that amounts to a magnet for water, grit and grime.

I've always tried to protect grips with plastic bags and some electrical tape. The mechanisms for grip index shifters and brifters seem to be prime candidates for getting fine grit in various little nooks and crannies. Riding in falling rain is one thing, driving 70 mph in rain is another. The terrain in northern Michigan is heavy on iron content. Its intrusion, or possible intrusion, was quite evident when we arrived home after 500 miles of driving.

tornado60

I avoid major highways. I guess I should have said that. I take my bike with me almost everywhere I go. I'm not saying they don't show signs of having been out in the weather. For me the worst is paint fade and weather checking on tires. Not much you can do about that once it happens. Rust can be removed as long as it is caught early. For the most part routine maintenance has handled other issues. I won't say that there have been no occasions that something extra was necessary, but not often enough I can remember one right now. I do my own maintenance most of the time. So that might be a consideration for you too.

My bikes ride on a trunk rack. For me tarping them and driving is not possible. It would obstruct my rear view. That could get me a ticket.

italktocats

leave the bike at home?

MAK

To protect your chain and drivetrain you can get a thing called a Chain Johnny for about $20.00. It also protects against oil dripping onto the car's roof for roof racked bikes. Protect the seat with plastic bags taped down (not just the bottom around the seat post but around the seat also). I also like the idea above of plastic bags on the bar protecting the tape.

Kapusta

My mountain and road bikes have spent almost entire summers on the back of my car driving all over the country in every imaginable terrain and summer weather. Literally tens of thousands of miles. As long as I kept the chains lubed they have been fine.

The only thing I would be concerned about is salt.

rumrunn6

I've seen these bike covers. looks like 2 of these are good for hitch racks. 1 looks like just a cover for a bike standing on the ground. might give somebody some ideas

Classic Accessories 80-111-011001-00 RV Deluxe Bike Cover - JCPenney

https://www.rei.com/product/732407/topeak-bike-cover?CAWELAID=120217890000798851&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=39810157094&CATCI=pla-282993659519&cm_mmc=PLA_Google|404_39530|7324070015|NB_NCA|0cf565d1-efb6-49bd-870b-12aae7ac204f|pla-282993659519&lsft=cm_mmcLA_Google_LIA|404_39530|7324070015|NB_NCA|0cf565d1-efb6-49bd-870b-12aae7ac204f|pla-282993659519&gclid=CKCIsMmXttMCFRWBswodZFQI3A

Sears.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LF6LPS...a-272260383987

kw227

Thanks for all the suggestions! I was mostly concerned about the chain/ derailleur and other parts getting rusty as it is exposed to weather over time as I normally drive 5+ hours on major highways. I am planning to look into some of these options!