Help with covering bikes please!!

[Coolbeanz]

We are off to the Jalón valley for a weekend of cycling and this is the first time we’ve ever had to carry bikes on a rack on the back of our new camper van as we had a big garage in the motorhome we had before. We spent ages getting them secured on in a way that they wouldn’t get scratched (hopefully!!) but then realised we can’t put the cover over them as the bars securing the bikes prevent us getting the cover over the back. I feel like a complete newbie trying to work this out. How do you do it? The only way I can think of is to put one bike on first and cut a couple of holes in the cover where the securing clamp goes through and then hopefully do the same with the second bike. Is this what you do? Any advice appreciated before I turn to a bottle of red wine to drown my sorrows

 

[dash300]

Not sure what bike rack you have but the covers are usually designed to cover the rack as well; ie the A frame the bike steady bars are attached to is covered along with the bikes.
Edit. I am talking tow bar mounted carriers by the way.

 

[Coolbeanz]

Not sure what bike rack you have but the covers are usually designed to cover the rack as well; ie the A frame the bike steady bars are attached to is covered along with the bikes.
Edit. I am talking tow bar mounted carriers by the way.

Unfortunately it’s not a towbar mount, it’s attached to the back door, hence the problem.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Bikes parallel but facing each other with the chains in the middle. Swivel the handle bars round if needed, but on most bike covers it's not necessary.
Mike.

 

[Coolbeanz]

Bikes parallel but facing each other with the chains in the middle. Swivel the handle bars round if needed, but on most bike covers it's not necessary.
Mike.

That’s not the issue, it’s the fact you can’t get the cover over the back of the bikes because the arms that hold the bike frames prevent you getting the cover over. The only way I can see is to make slits in the cover unless anyone else has done it differently.

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[VXman]

My Fiamma cover covers both bike and rack on a rear wall mounted bike rack. It has an velcro secured opening large rectangle shaped section at the back to allow you to get it over/behind the bike/rack.

 

[Coolbeanz]

My Fiamma cover covers both bike and rack on a rear wall mounted bike rack.

View attachment 884718

How does it go over the back if the arms are in the way?

 

[dash300]

That’s not the issue, it’s the fact you can’t get the cover over the back of the bikes because the arms that hold the bike frames prevent you getting the cover over. The only way I can see is to make slits in the cover unless anyone else has done it differently.

Yup. Perhaps cut slits and velcro them to seal up once fitted.

 

[VXman]

How does it go over the back if the arms are in the way?

TBH I have only used it once and it was a bit of a puzzle but it worked. I cannot remember enough to explain.

I think I had to drop it over the top and then pull the 'hatch' cover section up underneath the back and through the arms of the rack. - or something!

 

[dalspa]

Our bike cover has two slits about 600mm apart which coincide with the bike rack framing which fits to the rear wall of the motorhome. When cover is fitted the slits are then fastened together with Velcro.

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[Jenben]

We had one on our panel van that zipped up over the top , it had holes for the bike rack to fit through.

Think it was a Hindermann from memory.Not sure if this is the particular one .

Protective bicycle cover CONCEPT ZWOO

 

[Coolbeanz]

TBH I have only used it once and it was a bit of a puzzle but it worked. I cannot remember enough to explain.

I think I had to drop it over the top and then pull the 'hatch' cover section up underneath the back and through the arms of the rack. - or something!

I didn’t think it would be so hard

 

[Coolbeanz]

We had one on our panel van that zipped up over the top , it had holes for the bike rack to fit through.

Think it was a Hindermann from memory.Not sure if this is the particular one .

Protective bicycle cover CONCEPT ZWOO

Much appreciated and “long time no see” . I’ll search for one now

 

[Jenben]

Much appreciated and “long time no see” . I’ll search for one now

Have a good time in the Jalon valley, we were there last week .

 

[Nanniemate]

O bought a job lot of these as bankrupt stock cost under £3.00 each I then using canvas repair tape to seal it cut the hole for the bars to go through

I was going to get a tailor made one but at the cost these last approximately a year until they fall apart (I had 10) they are also a lot lighter .

Oxford 2 Electric Bike Rain Cover – e-bikeshop.co.uk

The Oxford 2 electric Bike Cover is ideal for storing and protecting your bike from inclement weather and sun damage when not in use.

www.e-bikeshop.co.uk

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[TheBig1]

Bags4everything and others make covers that zip on and have elasticated holes for the bars on the rack. A decent cover with visible padlock also helps with security and to deter stowaways. Or wrap in clear polythene sheet and use straps. Problem with decent bikes on carriers, they are a thief magnet

 

[Chris]

Don’t bother with a cover would be my top tip

 

[Chris]

duplicate post

 

[DandJ]

The Fiamma cover we have doesn't seem big enough to cover the entirety of the bikes, I presumed it covered the top, sides and rear .....and the front (the bike closest to the back of the van) is 'open'. It seems to work fine. Hope that makes sense

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

The Fiamma cover we have doesn't seem big enough to cover the entirety of the bikes, I presumed it covered the top, sides and rear .....and the front (the bike closest to the back of the van) is 'open'. It seems to work fine. Hope that makes sense

Ours too, just pull it down as far as the stay bars. I've never removed the cover to find the bikes wringing wet, regardless of the prevailing weather. I think some air flow helps keep them aired, plus you can peep from the front to spot any unwelcome stowaways.
Mike.

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[jezport]

Buy a roll of pallet wrap, and wrap round the cover each time and cut off and replace, or cover the whole lot.

 

[Ray-Vic]

The Fiamma cover we have doesn't seem big enough to cover the entirety of the bikes, I presumed it covered the top, sides and rear .....and the front (the bike closest to the back of the van) is 'open'. It seems to work fine. Hope that makes sense

Ours is like this too. The side closest to the van stays relatively open, with the bungee cords just hooking on to various points on the bike or rack, depending how it went on.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Buy a roll of pallet wrap, and wrap round the cover each time and cut off and replace, or cover the whole lot.

Not a good idea, the scrotes may think your "gift wrapping" for them.
Never thought of doing that, but it would seem a lot of work.
Mike.

 

[pelican]

Sounds like you need a different cover.