Sorry for the long thread title. Didn't know how to express my question in fewer words. LOL. Anyway, after much intensive research, my husband and I JUST bought 2 BH Easy Motion e-bikes. Mine is a Evo Street Pro, his is an Evo City Wave. They're so much fun! Now I'm obsessing about how best to protect them on long cross-country drives on interstate highways, while carrying them on the Thule platform rack we'll use on the back of our SUV. I feel like they really shouldn't be exposed to much weather, especially if there's snow (between Ohio and Florida--a drive we do in late winter every year!) and road salt. I'm worried about the battery contacts (assume we should remove the batteries for travel), the disc brakes...and the displays too, which, I think, can be removed though. I've read and read about covers but there are many issues to consider there: cover style, material strength, how to see the taillights/brake lights with a cover on the bikes etc. You can spend $25 or $300. And then some people say, don't worry about covering them. Or just cover the handle bars and the seat. I'm just so confused and kind of overwhelmed by all the possibilities. Does anyone have some good advice for me?
How to protect e-bikes from weather on Thule Easy-Fold XL rack on long drives
- Thread starter Cherylcd
- Start date
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
I use a Thule pickup truck bed rack, so I likely get less from the road than you will. The salt bit would concern me with spray coming off the car. I don't know if a cover will hold up long at highway speeds. Add to your list of concerns is wind hitting the covered bikes. Will that over stress the rack catching the wind? I don't know that it will, just thinking.
When I travel with my BH and other ebikes, I remove batteries, displays and saddles. Or cover saddles. I also wrap the handlebar's electronics with cling film. I keep a roll in the truck all the time. Not elegant I know, but it's worked for the last several years. I don't think there's anything to worry with the brakes. People ride bikes on the road in winter. I would wash the bikes on arrival though.
When I travel with my BH and other ebikes, I remove batteries, displays and saddles. Or cover saddles. I also wrap the handlebar's electronics with cling film. I keep a roll in the truck all the time. Not elegant I know, but it's worked for the last several years. I don't think there's anything to worry with the brakes. People ride bikes on the road in winter. I would wash the bikes on arrival though.
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Alaskan
Well-Known Member
I did a trip down to San Diego California and back up to Bellingham, Washington with two ebikes on a Thule Easyfold XT2 back in January, covering 3100 miles.
I think covering the bikes would be ill-advised for several reasons.
Prepare for the journey by applying a wax, silicon or other paint protective wax-on wax-off type surface protectant This makes things drip right off and also makes the bike easier to rinse down and clean between rides. Once that is done I would avoid covering anything unless it is electrical in nature. The rest of the blke will do better if it can easily dry off when it gets wet rather than covering it and retaining moisture beneath the cover for a much longer period.
Safe travels
I think covering the bikes would be ill-advised for several reasons.
- I lost 4 to 5 mpg with the uncovered bikes on the back of my car (Mercedes E-500 4-matic wagon). That number would be considerably higher with covers on the bikes.
- Pre-made bike covers are not designed to withstand 70 mph winds and would quickly rip apart
- The added stress from all that wind pressure on the fabric covered bikes would put unacceptable stress on the rack and hitch
- Center rear visibility would be nonexistent
- Brake lights, tail lights and license plate would be covered, thereby reducing your personal safety.
Prepare for the journey by applying a wax, silicon or other paint protective wax-on wax-off type surface protectant This makes things drip right off and also makes the bike easier to rinse down and clean between rides. Once that is done I would avoid covering anything unless it is electrical in nature. The rest of the blke will do better if it can easily dry off when it gets wet rather than covering it and retaining moisture beneath the cover for a much longer period.
Safe travels
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
When transporting my bikes, I remove the battery and all loose accessories including the seat & post. In addition to weather protection, it also reduces weight and puts less strain on the rack. I put a plastic cap over the open seat tube to keep out the elements:
I also place canvas sleeves over the handlebar ends to protect the display and hand controls:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q2MGDHE/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Most bikes are weatherproof to a certain extent and can be ridden in the rain. Aside from the above measures, I don't worry much about it. I've been carrying my bikes around for many years this way and never had a problem.
I also place canvas sleeves over the handlebar ends to protect the display and hand controls:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q2MGDHE/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Most bikes are weatherproof to a certain extent and can be ridden in the rain. Aside from the above measures, I don't worry much about it. I've been carrying my bikes around for many years this way and never had a problem.
I use a cover over two bikes. We have likely put 20,000km on the cover and bikes and it has not ripped or torn. I use a cargo net over the whole things so there is not a lot of flap. I have to pull the cover out of the way on one side to clear tail lights on my Ram pickup. The cover is in part a theft deterrent. It hides the bikes and would slow down the thieves. I have noticed no decline in mileage but would not be surprised if it does lower it a bit. No effect on the hitch either. As to batteries our Shimano did not come with contact covers so I wrap gaff tape around the contacts.
MinnBobber
Active Member
Great job. My goal is to protect the bikes where I can but still not have them so wrapped up that we will be reluctant to use them. Been there done that. Considering that we ride through water and mud in the rain anyway I do not worry toooooo much. Shimano says we can ride through water so the motor should be sdafe. We do of course remove the batteries. I think now we will make some bags to go over certain parts, such as the handle bars and motor, as has been suggested, and then use our nylon cover that we found on the Overstock website. The seats could also be easily removed.
So I'm curious, what type or brand of cover do you own? Also, what type of material is it made out of? I am not having any luck finding a cover that reviews say doesn't rip apart on their first trip for our two e-bikes!?!
Thanks...
I looked at the bicycle cover offered by the coverstore.com and at first it seemed promising, then I noticed the width is only 27". My wife's handle bars measure 30" and mine are at 32". I don't think that cover will work for our bikes. Are your handle bars at 27" or less in width? If not, does it fit your bike okay?
Without looking at the Website again, I'm not certain if different widths are an option , but yes mines are stock at 27". ?
Ok, thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately, they do not offer a wider option for thier covers.
Glad to hear you've gotten so much use out of your cover! Thanks for your response and I will take a closer look at a Swagman as a possible option.
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