Protecting bike on roof for long journey

barongreenback
barongreenback Posts: 229
edited July 2018 in Road general
I’m planning to take my bike (carbon frame) down to Brittany this summer, which will involve around 9 hours of driving and much of it on motorways. It will be in a Thule roof rack with the carbon frame protector. Does anyone have any good tips for avoiding any potential sources of damage on the journey? Don’t mind cleaning a few flies off with a baby wipe but was wondering if there are any potential pitfalls I am missing. Thanks.

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Don't drive under any height restrictions.
    I don't do smileys.

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  • mamil314
    mamil314 Posts: 1,103
    barongreenback wrote:
    I’m planning to take my bike (carbon frame) down to Brittany this summer, which will involve around 9 hours of driving and much of it on motorways. It will be in a Thule roof rack with the carbon frame protector. Does anyone have any good tips for avoiding any potential sources of damage on the journey? Don’t mind cleaning a few flies off with a baby wipe but was wondering if there are any potential pitfalls I am massif. Thanks.

    Not what she said.
  • mamil314
    mamil314 Posts: 1,103
    Sorry. One of those days, I will grow up
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    cooldad wrote:
    Don't drive under any height restrictions.

    or behind any gritting lorries...
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Put your luggage up on Top and the bike inside ?

    Seriously nothing is going to happen to it. You don't get stones flying over windscreen height normally.
  • DavidJB
    DavidJB Posts: 2,019
    I'm putting my bike in my bike box alan and trying it to the roof rack with luggage straps.
  • barongreenback
    barongreenback Posts: 229
    mamil314 wrote:
    barongreenback wrote:
    I’m planning to take my bike (carbon frame) down to Brittany this summer, which will involve around 9 hours of driving and much of it on motorways. It will be in a Thule roof rack with the carbon frame protector. Does anyone have any good tips for avoiding any potential sources of damage on the journey? Don’t mind cleaning a few flies off with a baby wipe but was wondering if there are any potential pitfalls I am massif. Thanks.

    Not what she said.

    Bloody autocorrect!!!

    Cheers all. If anyone knows any good cycling routes that way (Dinan), let me know!
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    Could use this
    https://sciconbags.com/products/protect ... ender-road
  • mr_mojo
    mr_mojo Posts: 200
    FatTed wrote:
    Could use this
    https://sciconbags.com/products/protect ... ender-road

    I’ve got and used one of those on two return trips to Cornwall so just shy of 2000 miles with no problems whatsoever. Really protect the bike. I put pipe insulation around the forks and head tube for a little more protection.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    What hazards are you envisioning happening to it up there? As long as you don't crush the tubing whilst clamping it it will be fine.
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • figbat
    figbat Posts: 680
    FatTed wrote:
    Could use this
    https://sciconbags.com/products/protect ... ender-road

    Nice idea but will add a tonne of drag. I think the pipe lagging idea is a good one; put it around the bits you are most worried about with a few cable ties - job's a good 'un.
    Cube Reaction GTC Pro 29 for the lumpy stuff
    Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
    Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
    Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
  • imafatman
    imafatman Posts: 351
    I use clingfilm to stop the insect apocalypse. Cheap and easy to remove.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    clingfilm - or just give it a good polish before leaving - it'll make it easier to wipe clean afterwards.
  • moonshine
    moonshine Posts: 1,021
    the chaps at the carbon repair shops say the most risky way to transport a bike is on the roof, followed by on a rear carrier, and the safest is inside....

    height barriers are the biggest threat to bikes on roofs. i've hit one once 20yrs ago, and a pall did the same about 5 yrs ago - wrote off his bike and almost wrote off his car - new roof, smashed rear window, new boot etc... messy!
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    I've seen the results of a roof racked bike going under a height barrier - or rather not ... and seen a bike carrier fall off the back of a car going down the french motorway - fortunately the lorry following managed to miss it.
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    figbat wrote:
    FatTed wrote:
    Could use this
    https://sciconbags.com/products/protect ... ender-road

    Nice idea but will add a tonne of drag. I think the pipe lagging idea is a good one; put it around the bits you are most worried about with a few cable ties - job's a good 'un.

    Dont think so its made of mesh
  • mr_mojo
    mr_mojo Posts: 200
    figbat wrote:
    FatTed wrote:
    Could use this
    https://sciconbags.com/products/protect ... ender-road

    Nice idea but will add a tonne of drag. I think the pipe lagging idea is a good one; put it around the bits you are most worried about with a few cable ties - job's a good 'un.

    I get about 25% less mpg with bike on roof and the Scicon protector.
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Its definitely going to affect fuel use. Mesh would probably be worse than a slippery fabric.
  • haydenm
    haydenm Posts: 2,997
    Mr_Mojo wrote:
    figbat wrote:
    FatTed wrote:
    Could use this
    https://sciconbags.com/products/protect ... ender-road

    Nice idea but will add a tonne of drag. I think the pipe lagging idea is a good one; put it around the bits you are most worried about with a few cable ties - job's a good 'un.

    I get about 25% less mpg with bike on roof and the Scicon protector.

    Maybe buy a more aero frame? obviously that is the only solution :wink:
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    Mr_Mojo wrote:
    figbat wrote:
    FatTed wrote:
    Could use this
    https://sciconbags.com/products/protect ... ender-road

    Nice idea but will add a tonne of drag. I think the pipe lagging idea is a good one; put it around the bits you are most worried about with a few cable ties - job's a good 'un.

    I get about 25% less mpg with bike on roof and the Scicon protector.

    I've not noticed any difference, admittedly didn't look for it
  • the_cyclist_of_catan
    the_cyclist_of_catan Posts: 354
    cooldad wrote:
    Don't drive under any height restrictions.

    This.

    I did it once - wrecked both wheels, the shifters, the forks, the roof rack, and the roof. The only reason the frame survived was that it's made of metal not plastic.

    I've heard that some bike shops can rely on a significant upswing in sales in the spring, when people head out to the hills with their MTBs, drive home, and put the car away in the garage forgetting that there's a bike up there. And it's terribly easy to do, if you're tired, distracted or not thinking about it.

    The only other thing worth worrying about is what security you have that keeps the bike from being nicked while the car is out if your sight.

    But travel at 70mph on the roof is otherwise no risk for a bike; the pros can descent at that sort of speed down an Alp, and the wind does not cause the bike to spontaneously collapse.
    They use their cars as shopping baskets; they use their cars as overcoats.
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,106
    Yeah my bike and 3 others were written off by a mate along with damage to his car roof, you think it won't happen to you but....

    Apart from accidents though I don't think the bike needs protecting up there.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Friend of mine wrote off three bikes by stopping for a drive through on the way home...

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