I'm thinking about joining some organized tours this summer, which would involve carrying the bike on a rear carrier for long distances over the road. I'm concerned that in the event of rain, it's going to get covered with road grit, with adverse effects on gears, derailleurs and other working parts. Is this something I should be concerned about? Is there any practical way of protecting the bike, or should I just not worry about it?

rain isn't going to hurt your bike. Just clean and lube it when you get it home and you'll be fine. You could go through the hassle of shrink wrapping it or whatever method you may choose after you put it on the rack but personally I wouldn't, and don't worry about it.

I hope you're right, because this is the second time I transported my bike 80 miles under the rain.

If I am alone in my car, I never use a rack for my road bike. Almost any 4 door car has room in the back seat for a bike with the front wheel removed. A friend showed me the best way years ago. I open the right rear door, remove my front wheel, turn the bike upside down and put it in rear wheel first, turning the bars so the brake levers face the rear seatback. Then I put the front wheel behind the front passenger seat, takes about 10 seconds. The bike chain doesn't touch any part of the interior of the car. I have been doing this for years without causing any damage to my car interior. The bike is now protected against rain and road grit, and my fuel economy does not suffer due to the huge air drag of a bike on a rack

Take both wheels off, put it in the trunk. It will fit in the smallest car.

Taking care, of course to lay the bike non-drive side down.

I use Saris Bones and have never really been completely relaxed with this solution. I do portions of the bike with plastic when doing long trips since getting hit with stones isn't exactly what the bike is usually exposed to. But nothing like the security of having the bike, front wheel off, completely in the safety of my 300ZX hatchback.

And I'm willing to bet that if you wiped it down and lubed what needs lubed that it's still in one piece, looks just like it did before it was rained on and rides just fine. I'm pretty sure the bike industry knows not to use water soluble materials.

This and This

doesn't work for my s2000 and miata =(

If i'm just carrying one bike I will never use a rack. I usually remove the front wheel and stick it in the rear seat. I had not tried putting the bike upside down. I'll give that a try next time.

And that is why my wife and I bought a Mazda5...

Carrying the bikes on a rack is ok for short distance, but for the long haul I prefer them in the car...Plus having them outside stuck on the back of the car is not good when it is raining....Guys, it's not just rain...There is a lot of road grime and crap that covers the bikes...

Most absurd thing I've read on here. How is it different than riding in the rain? Road grime also gets on your car when you drive it...

Most absurd?? You need to get out more

I'm talking from experience...

Drove home from down south and the bikes spent a good two hours stuck in a major T-Storm as we drove along I-75. The bikes have never had as much road grime and crap on them as what they did that day. When we got home the shifting was utter crap! Had to re-cable...

Sorry, but if I can avoid having the bikes outdoors for transport I will! There are no worries when traveling. Want to stop for food and a piss, lock up the car and go inside. Want to stop for the night, lock up the car and go to sleep..PLUS! The best part, when you get to your destination you pull the bikes out and ride....no cleaning involved

YMMV

I took out the back seat.
The bike fits without removing any thing

If I have to drive to an event I always put my bike inside my car. I take both wheels off and lay the front passenger seat flat and the bike fits in with no problem. I always get a kick out of people watching me arrive and unloading my bike, you might think they never saw a bike carried inside a car before.

Zipp, is it possible they're getting the kick out of your little clown car and your even stranger looking bike?

This is what I do. I put what ever clothes I want to take in the back seat, or fit it in the trunk to depending on how much stuff I take.

the only precaution I take when I transport my bike in the rain is I put a large plastic baggie over the saddle. Not to protect the saddle, but just to make sure that when I get on the bike the saddle is nice and dry.

edit: if there was any easy way to keep the bar tape dry, I'd consider that too.

+1

Keeping your bum dry is a major step in preventing horrendous bum rot.

Is there any OTHER type of bum rot?

This is a timely thread for me. I am planning on upgrading my car soon. I have a station wagon and putting my bike in the back is easy. However, I want a car that gets good mileage and getting something with a trunk rather than a hatch back is my cheapest option. There are more high MPG cars that are sedans than wagons or hatchbacks. My bike is a 60CM with a tall head tube so I am not sure how well it will fit in the back set of a small car.

I will probably put a hitch on whatever I buy and put this rack on it. I think this is the best hitch rack money can buy.

https://www.1upusa.com/1upusarackhome.htm