Bike bras: the ultimate test
09-12-07, 04:43 PM
#1
Sensible shoes.
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Bike bras: the ultimate test
Riveting, I know. Nevertheless, some folks have asked and I'm gonna try to answer with my own experience.
I got one of the Xport covers and gave it a whirl on two trips this summer. It's cheap spandex with velcro straps and doesn't appear to be made for it's durability. Then again, how fancy does it need to be?
First was a round trip to the HHH which is about 250 miles each way. The cover seemed to add a bit of air resistance and made the bike on the roof move around a bit more. It looks bad through the sun roof but really isn't an issue. The front of the cover was littered with bug goo and road grime, but seemed to keep the bike pretty clean. The way home was without (heck it was already dirty, right?) and I added about 20 minutes of cleaning as a result.
Next trip was just last week. 1500 miles one way. Upon arrival my wife wouldn't touch it.
18 hours of northern bugs at highway speeds. Same deal on the way home. I should have known better. Guts crammed into all those small parts: brifter pivots, FD, cables, little holes in the bar tape, stem, everywhere. Ick. I still haven't gotten it all out yet.
So, if you want to put a bike on the roof for a good distance, I recommend the $19.95 be well spent. Now where's that toothbrush and citrus degreaser...
I got one of the Xport covers and gave it a whirl on two trips this summer. It's cheap spandex with velcro straps and doesn't appear to be made for it's durability. Then again, how fancy does it need to be?
First was a round trip to the HHH which is about 250 miles each way. The cover seemed to add a bit of air resistance and made the bike on the roof move around a bit more. It looks bad through the sun roof but really isn't an issue. The front of the cover was littered with bug goo and road grime, but seemed to keep the bike pretty clean. The way home was without (heck it was already dirty, right?) and I added about 20 minutes of cleaning as a result.
Next trip was just last week. 1500 miles one way. Upon arrival my wife wouldn't touch it.
18 hours of northern bugs at highway speeds. Same deal on the way home. I should have known better. Guts crammed into all those small parts: brifter pivots, FD, cables, little holes in the bar tape, stem, everywhere. Ick. I still haven't gotten it all out yet.So, if you want to put a bike on the roof for a good distance, I recommend the $19.95 be well spent. Now where's that toothbrush and citrus degreaser...
09-12-07, 04:45 PM
#2
Snail-paced new boy
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Damn, when I saw the title of the thread I got excited...
09-12-07, 06:49 PM
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my bike is way too stiff to need any support.
09-12-07, 07:13 PM
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I use them on longer trips, well worth it. Yakima use to make some really nice one, but Nashbar/Performance seem about the only choice now.
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09-12-07, 07:30 PM
#6
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Bike goes inside car, always.
I used to travel regularly with a guy who had an Eagle Talon GT, and we'd drive to races with 2 bikes and 2 sets of wheels and luggage. Tight, but aero.
Then he bought a Dodge Ram pick'em up truck and took up bowling. Go figure.
I used to travel regularly with a guy who had an Eagle Talon GT, and we'd drive to races with 2 bikes and 2 sets of wheels and luggage. Tight, but aero.
Then he bought a Dodge Ram pick'em up truck and took up bowling. Go figure.
09-12-07, 07:41 PM
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When I glanced at the subject line, I thought the post might be related to this story:
"Sport bras 'do not support enough'"
I have one of those bike bras, but I don't use it much. My perception (rightly or wrongly) is that they take a notable toll on gas mileage.
"Sport bras 'do not support enough'"
I have one of those bike bras, but I don't use it much. My perception (rightly or wrongly) is that they take a notable toll on gas mileage.
09-12-07, 07:48 PM
#8
Peloton Shelter Dog
Burn your bike bras ladies. Be free.
09-13-07, 01:50 PM
#10
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thank god we were not punished with photos of "Moobs" in this thread...
yet disappointed at the absence of "jubblies" as well.
'tis life I guess.
yet disappointed at the absence of "jubblies" as well.
'tis life I guess.
09-13-07, 03:06 PM
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Time for a change.
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Big problem and I would imagine it would be like putting a Sail pn the top of the car- with the mast being the bike. It must put a bit of strain, if not on the bike, on the carrier and I would be checking the mountings and Straps more than once on a long ride. If you want to keep the bike clean on a Car- I would experiment with Celophane Food wrap or towelling to just protect the frontal area of the bike.
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09-13-07, 03:18 PM
#13
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I have one and use it when driving longer distances on my bike.
09-13-07, 03:19 PM
#14
Sensible shoes.
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It's not windproof by any means, so the strain is minimal. I have contemplated using self-stick Glad food wrap, but that would get a bit laborious. This thing takes about a minute to install.
09-13-07, 03:27 PM
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I use a similar product called Skinz and it works well. As the OP indicated it's biggest benefit to keep all the bug goo off the bike. It does not have the sail effect as much as you would think. The material is not so thick as to block the wind, some of it goes through.
