senorverde

I may be moving from the west coast to the east coast, and I would like to avoid shipping my bike. I have a Thule rack on the roof of my car, and I have a bike attachment that holds the entire bike upright (front wheel still attached).

Assuming this drive is in the summer (road salt not an issue) is there any chance the bike gets damaged if it's on the roof for 3000 miles? Should I try and wrap the headset and wheel bearings in shrink wrap?

10 Wheels

https://www.bikemania.biz/ProductDeta...keDefender_Bra

senorverde

That looks interesting, thank you. Though if the bike is completely upright with the front wheel (and rack and fender) attached, would it be as effective? Can you even mount the thing with the front wheel attached?

10 Wheels

Yes. it will work with the front wheel on the bike.
You can just make your own cover.
Plastic and lots of tape.

senorverde

It looks like they carry them at REI, so if I have to move I can pick one up real quick. Again, thank you for the suggestion. I've seen others driving around with these things but I had forgotten about them.

I have a Brooks saddle, I'm guessing that before I put this bike bra on I could just wrap/tape/zip tie a couple plastic bags around the saddle for some additional protection?

CCrew

You'll have to make sure it's tight and doesn't flap in the breeze. You can actually do more damage than if you left it uncovered.

Same reason you don't see cars on trailers with car covers on them.

-R

c_m_shooter

Plastic bags covering the brooks won't last the trip (probably won't last 100 miles). Remove it and throw it in the trunk. The rest of the bike will be fine as long as it doesn't fall off.

merlin55

1. the gas mileage will be reduced
2. The vibration on the wheel and headset bearing in the same fixed position may be a problem
3. maybe if you took the fork and crankset off the bike you could fit it in the car?

Shavit

never tried it, but to be quite honest i wouldn't worry about it. I like Merlin's idea of just disassembling it for the drive, but with moving, your car will probably be full or you'll be too busy.

in any case, your bike has probably seen worse.

senorverde

I'm already planning on using the Thule rack with a hard carrier on it, I doubt the bike will lower the gas mileage THAT much more. Either way, it will be cheaper than shipping it if you factor in shipping cost and all the time I'll need to spend disassembling/packing everything.

I do have a hatchback, right now if the car is empty i can fit the whole bike inside, intact. So there's a good chance with some minor disassembly (front wheel, rack, fender) I could throw the bike in there. I won't know until I get the car loaded up though, so I'm trying to plan my options.

I think that bike bra needs to hook over the saddle, so maybe I'd be better off putting my stock saddle back on for the trip and leaving the Brooks in the car.

Garfield Cat

While you're going cross country, take in a few rides and enjoy the scenery.

wahoonc

Watch the fenders...I have had some of the metalized plastic (SKS type) fenders tear out of their mounts when subjected to highway speeds on a roof rack. I think it was probably caused by the wind blasts from the opposing truck traffic on two lane roads. I would guestimate the affect at 120mph, when you consider I was running 55-60mph in one direction and they were doing the same in the other.

Aaron

cyclezealot

I get tired of the sway on the roof. When I crossed the country with my bike, i did not use my roof rack. I put it on my rear Hollywood rack. For shorter distances, I have no problem with using my roof rack.

Nestor

Shouldn't be an issue unless you are driving through a hail/sandstorm.

Watch out for mayfly season in northern Michigan though! yecchh!!

Rex G

I have traveled on multi-thousand-mile trips with a kayak or canoe on a roof rack, and the short answer is that the elements do take their toll on anything out in the sun and wind. I try to carry bikes inside the vehicle, if possible. Stay AWAY from large trucks, or any vehicles without good fender coverage over their wheels!

I definitely agree with removing the Brooks saddle for the trip, and letting a cheaper saddle take its place. Same for any nice saddle, unless I would be planning to stop the car and go for rides along the way.

I have noticed a difference of about 2 MPG when driving with a roof rack system in place, with no boats on the rack. I have not yet carried bikes on the roof.