MTN2SEA

.... you know, those covers that go over your handlebars, shifters, fork, and stretch back over your seat... for use when your bike is forkmounted on top of your car. I am getting ready to transport my bike on my roof rack for a 200+ mile trip on the interstate. I wonder if using one of these things would provide at least a little protection from the elements and road trash. Or are they like sails that significantly reduce gas mileage???

Thanks for your help!!!

Retro Grouch 

I use one for longer trips but seldom take the time if I'm just driving locally.

I can't say about gas mileage because I just don't think very much about gas mileage. After a 200 mile trip you'll have to wash your b-string or whatever because it'll be full of the dust and dead bugs that it kept off of your bike.

Jakey

If you don't use one, just use pledge on all the forward facing areas of the bike... the bugs should wipe off just fine... I'm thinking about getting one, but I would only use it a couple times a year probably...

deastin

I ve got one and use it fairly often as most of the races I do are out of my "Local" area. Usualy at least 1hr drives. The bra keeps crap off the bike such as road dirt and bugs and all that good stuff. I do like the fact that it covers the seat, I have an SLR which has sensitve leather and it dosnt get screwed up that way. As far as gas mileage is concerned I think with the bra on it actualy goes DOWN a little more then just with the bike on the roof. Just seems like the thing adds more drag and cuts mileage, but maybe its all in my head. I would reccommend one though for a long trip to keep your bike from getting all dirty. You can get them off the net from Nashbar or Performance and you can usualy find a code coupon on the site here to save a little extra cash on them. Hope this helps
Deastin

khuon

This reminds me of one time in high-school when I got a call from my girlfriend who asked me to come by and help her take off her bra so she could wash her car.

MTN2SEA

Right on!

Thanks for the good info, guys. I think I will get one for the longer trips. Seems like a good thing to protect the bike from bugs and general debris. Anybody have any suggestions about which brand is better. I am thinking one with a waterproof seat cover....

55/Rad

My bikes come apart and go in the car for the longer drives. Confident and secure.

55/Rad

pt14

I never used one but any that will keep stuff off your bike is worth doing , its only a cover that wraps over your bike that can not do much due to the shape of it l think. Cover it mate. PT14.

deastin

Got mine from Performance and it has a thick nylon-esque cover to go over the seat. Its not exactaly 100% water proof per se, but it does keep the saddle from getting wet while driving down the highway. If your at a stop the cover does eventualy get soaked, and so does your saddle, and bike. Dont know that there is one out there that would be totaly water proof but mine gets the job done for what I want. Here is the link to what I got https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4414. Had it for a year works fine.
Good Luck
Deastin

Nightshade

Ok, not to be a smart pants but how can you worry about bugs on your bike
and gas mileage at the same time?? The hard facts here are first anything on
TOP of your car is going to cost you mileage out the whazoo and secondly you
won't NEED a "bra" if you carry your bike INSIDE you car or in a closed trailer.

All you're doing here, mate is spending money to accomplish........nothing.....
except spending more money.

deastin

Some of use CANT put the bike in the car. When I do transport my bike and go to races it s usualy with 2 or 3 other riders, SO I cant fit that many bikes AND people in my car. Bike Bras are not for all people some use them some dont. But since I do have to put my bike on top of the car I like knowing by bike is some what protected. Doesnt mean its a waste of money, as long as I feel like I ve gotten my 30 bucks out of it and feel happy with the purchase then I consider the money well spent.
Deastin

Retro Grouch 

Well, lets think about this, mate. Smart pants might not be the right term.

I considered buying a mini van to transport my tandem, but settled on a Saturn sedan and a roof rack for about half the price. The Saturn also gets about 40% better gas mileage than a mini van every time it gets driven without a bike on the roof which is almost all of the time. With the bike on the roof it still at least matches mini van fuel economy. The larger vehicle costs more initially and loses more ground every time that you drive it. Smart pants indeed!

I Don't have any experience with closed trailers, but even a smallish one would have roughly 20 square feet of frontal area vs. less than 4 for a roof mounted bicycle. I realize that the trailer is drafting behind the towing vehicle, but 20 square feet is a lot more than 4. I'm betting the fuel economy is going to be better with the roof rack. I'd also have to buy the trailer, which would cost more than a roof rack system, and figure out where to store it when it's not in use. Now that would really be spending money just so that I could spend more money.

el twe

No...I use a Bro...








Seriously, though: never even thought about it. My baby lives in the garage (cut me some slack - she's greasy, dirty, beautiful, and the garage is insulated. Plus, the parents wouldn't dig the bike in my room).

james Haury

I fold my bicycle and put it in the van , besides, don't you think that is a rather personal question?In addition it is badly phrased.

Rowan

Went over all the heads, khuon. At least I appreciated it.

That said, car-bras have got to be the ugliest looking things ever invented. And why would someone put a car-bra on anything other than a classic automobile?

MTN2SEA

Why is it that people feel as though they can add to a discussion by criticizing those who started the discussion? Interesting. You have the right, but that energy would be much better spent riding your bike.

By the way, to the others, what is wrong with wanting to protect my bike when transporting it the only way I can?

OUT

MTN2SEA

Why can't I worry about both? All I am trying to do is protect my bike. No diddly... I am very well aware that adding something to the roof of your car will create less gas mileage, but it is the only way I have to transport my bike at the moment.

The way I see it is I am spending money to protect my investment from various bits of road debris (not just bugs). Somebody let me know the advantages of slapping my bike up there and driving 75 mph for 4 hours straight. If the positives out weigh the negatives here, I will be happy to transport my bike "topless".

powers2b

Other than bugs and road dirt, the primary function of a 'bra' is to keep droplets of water from driving into every nook and cranny of the bike while you drive at 60 MPH in the rain. Even 'sealed' bearings can be at risk of ingesting water in those conditions.
If you are going on a trip with the bike outside of the car and want to protect it you can use pieces of old tubes, plastic bags and tape to the same effect.

Enjoy