Classic & Vintage - Traveling with precious cargo on roof racks, Protection?

I'm about to embark on a 2,300 mile road trip with two bikes on my roof rack. Aside from the usual bike "bra" which I'll be using, anyone have any other suggestions for protecting the paint from bugs and other gross things? I want to protect the bikes as much as possible because both are very valuable to me, and both are classic rides with beautiful paint jobs. I've thought of a few things like wrapping the main tubes with something like paper or saran wrap. Or maybe just applying a few more coats of wax would do it. Again, I'll definitely be using bike "bras." Just curious if anyone has thought of something I haven't. thanks.

Bikes on a roof rack are a killer in two ways........
No matter what you do your bike is exposed to the elements......any / all of them...bike bra or not.
Bikes in a roof rack will cost you a minumum of 2 to 3 miles a gallon due to wind drag. (@ $3+ a gal :eek: )

A much better way really is to trailer your bikes and bike stuff on a small lightweight trailer that you
can rent or buy. Small mini trailers can be pulled by any car with little , if any , MPG hit. You'll also
enjoy the trip more because you'll not have to worry about your bike investment nearly as much on
a trailer.;) ;) If you decide to rent consider a 4 x 6 enclosed U-Haul trailer for complete coverage of
your bikes. (tarps or bras will flutter in the wind and wear off the paint where they touch the bike.)

One of the frequent problems I've heard of with roof racks is the driver forgetting how tall the car is and driving into low overhangs. You are adding about 3 feet to your vehicle's height, so you have to watch out for things like driveup windows, parking garages, garage at home, tree branches, etc. Out on the highway you are pretty safe, it's when you get off the main road that you have to be more aware. I've seen a couple stories where someone loaded the bikes on the car, took a long trip, came home, hit the garage door button, and crunch!

I've seen a couple stories where someone loaded the bikes on the car, took a long trip, came home, hit the garage door button, and crunch!

Who cares about garage doors? I know for a fact that the tree heights down most of our local residential streets would turn anything on the roof to pulp in two minutes.

+1 for the trailer idea.

-Kurt

One of the frequent problems I've heard of with roof racks is the driver forgetting how tall the car is and driving into low overhangs. You are adding about 3 feet to your vehicle's height, so you have to watch out for things like driveup windows, parking garages, garage at home, tree branches, etc. Out on the highway you are pretty safe, it's when you get off the main road that you have to be more aware. I've seen a couple stories where someone loaded the bikes on the car, took a long trip, came home, hit the garage door button, and crunch!


Been there, done that, luckily it was an improvised rack and the bungee cords let go easily so no damage to the bike but lots of scrapes on the roof of the car.

Take the wheels off and put the bikes inside the car. I learned my lesson, also keeps all the crap off the bike. At high speed, in a dry, dustry environment you also run the risk of etching the paint.

A sticky note located in a prominent place on the dash that says "bikes on roof" is the best protection I know of from running into low clearance objects. Bugs are a definite problem, plus the last time I put the bikes on the roof and drove six hours in 100 degree heat, the grease in the headset melted and ran out.

Unless you're supporting a Pro Tour team, put them on the back, inside, or in a trailer. In addition to the other hazards mentioned, during summer, tires can fail from being in contact with hot metal for prolonged periods.

I think the concerns raised here are a bit far-fetched, to say the least. Bikes on the roof are the most convenient way of transport. Renting a trailer to move a bike? Unless your bike forms a substantial part of your retirement plans, this is really a bit extreme (and if it does, you shouldn't be riding it around, anyway). And it's going to take a lot of driving to amortize that trailer, compared to the loss in MPG. My friend and I attended an event last weekend in the Lake Tahoe area (Deathride :eek: ) and transported our bikes (my RB-1 and his LeMond) several hundred miles on a rooftop rack. Through 100 degree temps, swarms of bugs, blowing etchants (sand), blah blah blah. I had to flick a couple of bugs off of my bike when we got there, but that was it. No melted tires, no running grease, no etched paint, nothing. So just throw your bike on that roof rack, watch out for low overhangs, and don't worry about it. Of course, this just represents MY opinion on the subject... .

Lots of people forget they have their bikes up top and cream them. I know at least three or four people who have damaged their bikes this way. The tire failure, while rare, has happened. Rear mounting racks is really the way to go if the bikes won't fit inside your vehicle. IMO, of course.

My suggestions, for what it's worth:

Choice 1) Store bikes inside vehicle if at all possible. For a 2300-mile trip, you've got to stop sometimes and it will be nice to know your bikes can be locked up inside. Plus, they are fully protected from the elements. Provides maximum peace of mind.

Choice 2) Store wheels in vehicle and mount frames on rear rack. Point the frames in opposite directions and they will nestle together nicely. We would tie old tube socks around the frames where they might contact each other or anything else and then tie it all down securely with a bunch of rope. No shifting over bumps and reduced exposure to wind, bugs, elements.

Best wishes on your trip!

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to try and get some sort of cargo box for my roof rack and put the bikes in my back seat. I already sort of felt I should, I just needed to hear some of you guys say it. Being able to stop and leave the car without worrying about the bikes sounds appealing.