cover for bikes on trunk mounted rack?

[DMC]

I just got a saris bones trunk mounted rack to take my road bike with me on a trip to VA. I've never used a bike rack before, so I was wondering if there are any tips/tricks I should know?

If I have only bike on a 3 bike rack, is there a best position to put it in?

Is there ever a problem of debris getting kicked up on the bikes? Do you cover them?

Thanks!

[Trek420]

I would not cover the bike on a trunk rack. You'd be making a sail. Besides the drag on gas mileage I would think the bike could fly off.

I'd check with your LBS for directions, practice practice. Put the rack on, take it off, back on .... do some short trips and make sure your baby is secure.

Oh, and welcome to TE

[OakLeaf]

Plus... if you've ever seen a newbie hauling anything with a cover on it, you've seen the cover flapping and taking the paint off the whatever. A lot of people cover their saddles with a shower cap or Lycra saddle cover, and some people cover their handlebars to keep the tape clean, but that's more an issue for roof racks than rear racks.

[Possegal]

As to the placement - if you have a 3-bike rack and only one bike on it, put it on the spot closest in to the car. I believe somewhere in the directions for the Saris bike rack it says that, but I've had mine for 4 yrs and don't really remember.

[DMC]

Many thanks!

Cover = sail...that makes sense. Glad I didn't learn from experience.

Thanks for the welcome! I have been lurking for quite a while. You ladies seem to have all the answers. Learned how to ride with my clipless pedals and how to fit myself for a new saddle from your posts.

[lo123]

Many thanks!

Cover = sail...that makes sense. Glad I didn't learn from experience.

Thanks for the welcome! I have been lurking for quite a while. You ladies seem to have all the answers. Learned how to ride with my clipless pedals and how to fit myself for a new saddle from your posts.

If you might be in inclement weather, you can use a Chain Condom http://www.chaincondom.com/ to protect your drive train.

[badgercat]

If you might be in inclement weather, you can use a Chain Condom http://www.chaincondom.com/ to protect your drive train.

I was just coming here to suggest the same thing! I have a roof rack, but I used a Chain Condom for a 1400+ mile drive this summer (which included a torrential downpour) and it worked great!

ETA: I would say not even just for inclement weather, though--I think the greater value is from preventing grit and grime from getting up in there.

[pll]

Looks like a great idea but I hate the phallic reference (is the company owner 12 years old?). Would have to get the Mt Ventoux special edition.

[warneral]

Looks like a great idea but I hate the phallic reference (is the company owner 12 years old?). Would have to get the Mt Ventoux special edition.

LOL no kidding!

Welcome DMC! Best wishes on your travels

[BikeDutchess]

Looks like a great idea but I hate the phallic reference

Maybe you'll like this one better then: Pygmy Pack

[DMC]

Just got back from my trip! *Bike rack worked a treat! *Easy to install, and after establishing a pre-flight checklist, had total peace of mind transporting my beast.

I will for sure check out that drivechain condom and the pygmy covers. *It rained for several hours on the way down, and by the time I got there, my chain had been washed dry. *I relubed and was good to go, but after unloading the bike when we got back to NYC, I saw that the chain/derailleurs/gears (which were all cleaned just before going into the trip) were LOADED with road grime. *I blame the hour we had to sit in traffic at the Holland tunnel! *

Thanks again for the help!