Mountain Biking - bike transport

Are there any negative things that can happen to my bike if i have it on my roof rack in the rain? And does anyone know where you can get a waterproof bike cover for roof racks? Thanks a lot!

Water in the hubs, BB, and headset area. Just check it out later; for a single car ride, no damage should be done. Waterproof bike covers = generaly bull. A plain old tarp would probably do the best. I don't even bother.

I agree tarp would be the way to go, they are really water resistant depending on what kind you get, thatn and a few "bungie cords" and you should be all set.

Might look unsightly tho ^^ but whats more important your bikes health or the looks of it sitting on your car?

You might want to lookinto some of that bike water proofing stuff as an alternative.

You could look into getting a "bra" for your bike. It will help keep it dry during drive time. Here is a link (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=4682&subcategory_ID=4414) to them.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/30_0310.jpg

You could look into getting a "bra" for your bike. It will help keep it dry during drive time. Here is a link (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=4682&subcategory_ID=4414) to them.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/30_0310.jpg
I use a bra. On my bike, not my giant man-boobs.
Seriously, it works nice. I no longer have to scrape dead bugs off of my bike (though I do still have to scrape them off my giant man-boobs).

Only problem carrying a bike on the roof is getting it Knicked, or driving back into the garage with them still on the roof. Take it you are not a fair weather rider so you will ride in the wet sometime. If they'r on the roof and it rains- just treat them as if you have done a wet ride when you get home.

Big hold up on one of our motorways the other day. Bike in the outside lane- causing an obstruction. Obviously fell off a car and only got moved off the motorway when the 23rd car ran over it. Make certain the bikes-and the roof rack are secure.

I have a question to add.

I was asking about the best way to hold my bike in my truck at the LBS today its a little chevy s-10 pickup with a toolbox in the back.

They showed me this really neat mount that will scew onto my toolbox and hold the frame via where the front tire goes.

I wanted to avoid taking the front tire off is possible since I have been reading about people messing up there brake alignment and stuff when they do that (although I dont think thats a normal thing) My concern is with only that mount holding the bike I am afraid of damaging or atleast stressing the frame out with side to side pressure when I turn, or maybe even a strong wind, the frame isnt really supposed to take a internal sideways pressure, think it will be ok and im just being paranoid?

It would be very similar to how the picture above mounts but with nothing holding the rear wheel down and it would be up at an angle. I will see if I can find some pictures.

My "home made" option that I was going to do was build a nice 2x4 "frame" that sits in the bed of the truck that holds both wheels in place so it wont move and tie the front end to the toolbox and the rear end down the bed mounts, that or maybe even just lay the bike down in the truck with the front wheel off.

guess it would be somthing very similar to this http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=3702&subcategory_ID=4413

but just imagine instead of having it mounted at the bottom of the bed in the truck it would be ontop of my toolbox so the bike would be sitting up almost at its normal angle like it had the front wheel on, maybe abit higher.

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/30_3482.jpg
It would kinda mont like this but higher up.

Setups like this are pretty common. Try searching the forums and you'll see several homemade truck bed mounts. There are some pretty crafty people here, from what I've seen.

Here's my super genius set-up that I rigged myself. The comment I get most about it? "Not bad for a girl"




http://www.zjstech.net/~library/16588/rsz_DSCN1299.jpg

wow hope your truck bed is smaller than mine, since even with front wheel off they dont fit inside your truck.

Cant really see how or what you did from a single picture but it does look nice.

did you do welding?? or just buy some parts and drill/screw stuff.

Yeah the bed is super short- it's an Explorer Sport Trac.
No welding. I used existing holes for the factory tonneau cover and fabbed some brackets to hold the Yakima towers. When I first bought the truck I was using the Thule Bed Rider, but the thing kept popping up or bending my bed liner. I also like this set-up because the bed is completely clear underneath the bikes for gear or luggage.
good luck with setting up your rig- it's kinda fun when you have to be creative!

Yeah thanks, I'll be keeping it cheap and simple. I can post some pics when its all done.

Im still in debate over Marlin vs Piranha.. once I have the bike then I will worry about how to get it to the trails.