Protecting E-Bikes While Transporting Them
- Thread starter Jim1348
- Start date
harryS
Well-Known Member
Some people I know will use a cover. These can catch the wind, so look for one that fits well.
Other wise, you can try to cover the battery terminals. Every bike is different, so you have to wing it here. I worry more about the handle bar controls and displays on my bikes, so I wrap them with plastic baggies and rubber bands.
,
Other wise, you can try to cover the battery terminals. Every bike is different, so you have to wing it here. I worry more about the handle bar controls and displays on my bikes, so I wrap them with plastic baggies and rubber bands.
,
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
Jim/Harry S
I do the same thing for covering all the item on the handle bars.
I also get the biggest size of Poole Noodles and cut/fit them to the battery box areas, then use the large size elastic stretchy straps to hold the Pool Noodles in place when traveling about.
Works very well, so far.
ymmv
I do the same thing for covering all the item on the handle bars.
I also get the biggest size of Poole Noodles and cut/fit them to the battery box areas, then use the large size elastic stretchy straps to hold the Pool Noodles in place when traveling about.
Works very well, so far.
ymmv
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
Obviously, the best idea is to use a bike cover. The trick is to find one that fits and won't come apart from the wind at highway speeds.
Keep in mind that most of an e-bike is weather resistant. Sometimes, all you need to do is cover certain parts.
I use these silicone stretch covers on sensitive electrical components:
They can even be used to keep your saddle dry:
They also work well to cover the opening on bikes with rear rack batteries:
For down tube openings, as @Mike-V suggested, I cover with plastic wrap and use an ace bandage to hold it in place.
Protecting your bar ends is easy with these waterproof arm protector sleeves:
If you remove your saddle & seatpost when transporting, don't forget to cover the open end of the seat tube:
Keep in mind that most of an e-bike is weather resistant. Sometimes, all you need to do is cover certain parts.
I use these silicone stretch covers on sensitive electrical components:
They can even be used to keep your saddle dry:
They also work well to cover the opening on bikes with rear rack batteries:
For down tube openings, as @Mike-V suggested, I cover with plastic wrap and use an ace bandage to hold it in place.
Protecting your bar ends is easy with these waterproof arm protector sleeves:
If you remove your saddle & seatpost when transporting, don't forget to cover the open end of the seat tube:
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
6Z
How do like that Donut seat?
I have been thinking of getting one, I have the one with the solid pads and like it.
Tia
How do like that Donut seat?
I have been thinking of getting one, I have the one with the solid pads and like it.
Tia
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
It's a Spiderflex:
Ergonomic Bike Seats | Spiderflex.com
Product: Ergonomic Bicycle Seat, Cost: $129.99USD. Comfortable ergonomic bike seats for all bike riders.
www.spiderflex.com
I've tried a dozen or more split and donut seats and this one works best for me by far.
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
Thanks 6Z
I'll look into this saddle.
Tia
I'll look into this saddle.
Tia
mrgold35
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- ABQ, New Mexico
For with two Radrover fat tire ebikes on a Saris SuperClamp 4 platform bike rack with outer two holders removed on a 7 passenger 11 Acura MDX SUV. I did:
- remove batteries
- remove seat/seatpost
- plastic wrap on electrical (battery tray and entire handlebar (mostly for dust/dirt/sand)
- lock suspension
- extra chains with locks for layered security for hotel parking
- bike cover for bad weather or overnight parking
- I use Finish Line Dry chain lubricant living in the southwest and always sandy/dusty conditions
I have an older version of the same bike cover from Amazon (updated version has license plate holder). My cover folds into a carry pouch around the size of a twin size pillow. I purchased the cover for a mid-November trip from ABQ to Grand Canyon (about +/- 6 hours at 75 mph). Planned on using for rain, snow, and overnight parking if I couldn't take ebikes into hotel. This cover works best with a 2-bike hitch and it swallows ebikes+rack 100% to the hitch for complete protection against the elements. It has translucent panels for rear tail lights; but, I added 4-way aux lights connected to my 7-pin harness for extra safety. It felt like I had a parachute deployed when driving with the cover from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon (left cover on after overnight stay from Flagstaff for the GC drive). The back lights of my SUV were extremely difficult to see with the cover day or night (reason for Aux lights). I didn't have any issues seeing out rear view or side mirrors.
Picture from Amazon, $140: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WENDUS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
- remove batteries
- remove seat/seatpost
- plastic wrap on electrical (battery tray and entire handlebar (mostly for dust/dirt/sand)
- lock suspension
- extra chains with locks for layered security for hotel parking
- bike cover for bad weather or overnight parking
- I use Finish Line Dry chain lubricant living in the southwest and always sandy/dusty conditions
I have an older version of the same bike cover from Amazon (updated version has license plate holder). My cover folds into a carry pouch around the size of a twin size pillow. I purchased the cover for a mid-November trip from ABQ to Grand Canyon (about +/- 6 hours at 75 mph). Planned on using for rain, snow, and overnight parking if I couldn't take ebikes into hotel. This cover works best with a 2-bike hitch and it swallows ebikes+rack 100% to the hitch for complete protection against the elements. It has translucent panels for rear tail lights; but, I added 4-way aux lights connected to my 7-pin harness for extra safety. It felt like I had a parachute deployed when driving with the cover from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon (left cover on after overnight stay from Flagstaff for the GC drive). The back lights of my SUV were extremely difficult to see with the cover day or night (reason for Aux lights). I didn't have any issues seeing out rear view or side mirrors.
Picture from Amazon, $140: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WENDUS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Urbancowboy
Active Member
- Region
- Canada
Put a full cover on like the one shown on the previous post. Then cover this Cover with a heavy duty Fishnet. strap with Bungee cords. The Fishnet will spoil the Wind reducing flapping considerable.
Cheers
Cheers
Sparky731
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
We have transported our bikes cross country 2x / yr between WI & AZ for many years. 2 sleeps and 1,800 miles.
what we do:
tried high value covers but disliked the flapping.
bikes are made to conquer the elements. We leave ours bare but plug the battery plugs.
Batteries always out of bikes during car transport.
wire tie front cables together. They flap in wind.
absolutely attach my rear light bar plugged into the vehicle’s lights.
Tail lights are easily obscured by tires and gear.
extend them to be safe and seen.
You WANT to be seen from the rear.
at hotels, find another traveler or a tree, bush or wall, that you can back your bikes to. Make them difficult to steal and they won’t be stolen.
Do not take your bikes into rooms without permission. Hotels have tight insurance regulations re: Lithium bike batteries in rooms. They could toss you out.
put a plastic bag over the saddle. Keep it dry.
if so inclined, also re-mount your vehicle’s rear license plate with light if it is obscured by your carrier and bikes. It is the law in most states for the rear plate to be visible and lighted when dark. I rigged a Jeep license plate holder to my Kuat carrier.
the light bar I wire-tie to the outside bike.
what we do:
tried high value covers but disliked the flapping.
bikes are made to conquer the elements. We leave ours bare but plug the battery plugs.
Batteries always out of bikes during car transport.
wire tie front cables together. They flap in wind.
absolutely attach my rear light bar plugged into the vehicle’s lights.
Tail lights are easily obscured by tires and gear.
extend them to be safe and seen.
You WANT to be seen from the rear.
at hotels, find another traveler or a tree, bush or wall, that you can back your bikes to. Make them difficult to steal and they won’t be stolen.
Do not take your bikes into rooms without permission. Hotels have tight insurance regulations re: Lithium bike batteries in rooms. They could toss you out.
put a plastic bag over the saddle. Keep it dry.
if so inclined, also re-mount your vehicle’s rear license plate with light if it is obscured by your carrier and bikes. It is the law in most states for the rear plate to be visible and lighted when dark. I rigged a Jeep license plate holder to my Kuat carrier.
the light bar I wire-tie to the outside bike.
watsonwallace
New Member
- Region
- Other
Hey man, protecting the electrical bits when batteries are out is key on a hitch rack, especially at highway speeds with dust and crap flying around.
