ChrisO Posted September 2, 2023 Posted September 2, 2023 Hi guys, looking for a suggestion on how to keep my bike relatively dust free when traveling longer distances on dust roads. I do quite a bit of travel on the Karoo gravel roads, now recently started eMTB riding, and I load my bikes on a Thule Velospace XT3 Towbar Rack. The drivetrain, motor etc is all so exposed to the dust coming off the back of my Wrangler, so it's quite a job cleaning up once I get to my destination. It's so bad sometimes that I now take my repair stand and pressure washer with me to clean up and do a mini lube service before I ride again. Ive tried wrapping black bags on, but was hoping someone has a good suggestion on how to handle this issue. Ive looked for a bag / cover to put the bike in, then on the rack, can anyone suggest something like this? Hoping someone has a solution for me. Thanks!
Dappere Posted September 2, 2023 Posted September 2, 2023 11 minutes ago, ChrisO said: Hi guys, looking for a suggestion on how to keep my bike relatively dust free when traveling longer distances on dust roads. I do quite a bit of travel on the Karoo gravel roads, now recently started eMTB riding, and I load my bikes on a Thule Velospace XT3 Towbar Rack. The drivetrain, motor etc is all so exposed to the dust coming off the back of my Wrangler, so it's quite a job cleaning up once I get to my destination. It's so bad sometimes that I now take my repair stand and pressure washer with me to clean up and do a mini lube service before I ride again. Ive tried wrapping black bags on, but was hoping someone has a good suggestion on how to handle this issue. Ive looked for a bag / cover to put the bike in, then on the rack, can anyone suggest something like this? Hoping someone has a solution for me. Thanks! Part of the reason I use a roof rack, but that also opens a whole other can of worms 😅 I have never used this myself, but I am aware of evoc and Thule that offer covers you could have a look at. https://www.thule.com/en-za/rv-racks/rv-rack-accessories/thule-bike-cover-_-307335 https://evobikes.co.za/product/evoc-bike-rack-cover-mtb-black/
ChrisO Posted September 2, 2023 Author Posted September 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Dappere said: Part of the reason I use a roof rack, but that also opens a whole other can of worms 😅 I have never used this myself, but I am aware of evoc and Thule that offer covers you could have a look at. https://www.thule.com/en-za/rv-racks/rv-rack-accessories/thule-bike-cover-_-307335 https://evobikes.co.za/product/evoc-bike-rack-cover-mtb-black/ Thanks a stack for the links, the Evo looks the business - pricey 😩but looks affective. My bike's a bit heavy for the roof, but agreed it would be the best solution. Much appreciated!
100Tours Posted September 2, 2023 Posted September 2, 2023 A cheaper option? - Bicycle Drive Chain Cover - Chain Baby (cycle-africa.co.za) assuming your drivetrain is where most f the problem is. thebob and Pieterlab1 1 1
ChrisO Posted September 2, 2023 Author Posted September 2, 2023 33 minutes ago, 100Tours said: A cheaper option? - Bicycle Drive Chain Cover - Chain Baby (cycle-africa.co.za) assuming your drivetrain is where most f the problem is. This looks like a great option, solves 90% of the issue. Thanks man!
cadenceblur Posted September 2, 2023 Posted September 2, 2023 On a recent trip, Jako De Wet, peetwindhoek, The Ouzo and 3 others 3 3
Rowl Posted September 2, 2023 Posted September 2, 2023 Have bought some of these but never actually used them (yet): https://www.takealot.com/fluir-waterproof-bicycle-covers/PLID73157919
ChrisO Posted September 2, 2023 Author Posted September 2, 2023 Yeah I took a look at these, worth a try for net time. But how to get the wheel straps through?
ChrisO Posted September 2, 2023 Author Posted September 2, 2023 (edited) 46 minutes ago, cadenceblur said: On a recent trip, Bloody hell 😂 Edited September 2, 2023 by ChrisO
ChrisF Posted September 2, 2023 Posted September 2, 2023 2 hours ago, cadenceblur said: On a recent trip, Friends had similar in Namibia .... carbon rims sandblasted and damaged over long distances .... Lost of cars have ineffective mud gaurds ... Worth checking OP ... behind the car the drive train is going to be covered in fine dust. With the roof rack the bike is protected from this.
BikeisLife Posted September 2, 2023 Posted September 2, 2023 8 minutes ago, ChrisF said: Friends had similar in Namibia .... carbon rims sandblasted and damaged over long distances .... Lost of cars have ineffective mud gaurds ... Worth checking OP ... behind the car the drive train is going to be covered in fine dust. With the roof rack the bike is protected from this. Until you plant your bike in to a garage, height barrier etc. Also, objects flying in the air are a danger then. Stones etc. off the car in fronts wheels. Evoc do a bike rack cover specifically for road or mtb. They also allow all straps, arms etc.
ChrisF Posted September 2, 2023 Posted September 2, 2023 1 minute ago, BikeisLife said: Until you plant your bike in to a garage, height barrier etc. Also, objects flying in the air are a danger then. Stones etc. off the car in fronts wheels. Evoc do a bike rack cover specifically for road or mtb. They also allow all straps, arms etc. I have done many thousands of km with bikes on the roof. ONLY issue was a neighbours low hanging tree branches. Easy enough to drive around that tree
Dirt Tracker Posted September 3, 2023 Posted September 3, 2023 I've done a lot of gravel and farm roads and to be honest it's always an attempt to beat the inevitable if you stick with a tow bar rack of any sort. I've been though all sorts and essentially you are trying to stop the flow of air and all the nice dust that comes with it. Those covers work to a degree and this one works the best for the price (https://www.cycle-africa.co.za/page-253-bicycle-drive-chain-cover-chain-baby.html)but for me it's either in the car or on the roof and then you don't have to fight the inevitable. If you're looking at throwing over R3k some of those other bike covers I'd just take that cash and put it into a roof rack. ChrisF 1
ChrisO Posted September 3, 2023 Author Posted September 3, 2023 5 hours ago, Dirt Tracker said: I've done a lot of gravel and farm roads and to be honest it's always an attempt to beat the inevitable if you stick with a tow bar rack of any sort. I've been though all sorts and essentially you are trying to stop the flow of air and all the nice dust that comes with it. Those covers work to a degree and this one works the best for the price (https://www.cycle-africa.co.za/page-253-bicycle-drive-chain-cover-chain-baby.html)but for me it's either in the car or on the roof and then you don't have to fight the inevitable. If you're looking at throwing over R3k some of those other bike covers I'd just take that cash and put it into a roof rack. Thanks for the reply, I completely would have preferred the roof option, but 2 of the 3 bikes are eMTBs which are too heavy at around 24kg's each. Im going to try the drive chain cover and see how iy goes. Thanks! Dirt Tracker and Mtree 2
cadenceblur Posted September 3, 2023 Posted September 3, 2023 1 hour ago, ChrisO said: Thanks for the reply, I completely would have preferred the roof option, but 2 of the 3 bikes are eMTBs which are too heavy at around 24kg's each. Im going to try the drive chain cover and see how iy goes. Thanks! Some strength training 🤔? ChrisF 1
dasilvarsa Posted September 3, 2023 Posted September 3, 2023 VW Transporter 6.1 Panel Van | Volkswagen South Africa PhilipV, dave303e, Ispeed_V and 1 other 4
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