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My next car will be able to take a bike inside, as I don't like having it outside for a few reasons. I'm wondering though, does it do much harm having a bike on the outside at all? Mechanically that is; so excluding theft, advertising, and collisions.
Driving in the wet it's constantly bombarded with rainwater and dirty/salty road water. On the back, it picks up the road grime, some people cover their discs against this. On the roof, it's in the chilling wind or in summer gets peppered with dead flies (probably not harmful, but not nice).
I'm sure it's all ok in moderation, but I can't see it doing your bearings and cables etc. much good if you do long trips regularly. Or does it pale into insignificance against what the bike is put through while being ridden?
I’m sure it’s all ok in moderation, but I can’t see it doing your bearings and cables etc. much good if you do long trips regularly. Or does it pale into insignificance against what the bike is put through while being ridden?
Road grime at 70 mph will have about 10 times the energy than at 20 mph. Inside a vehicle will always be better.
My bike is meant always on the roof rather than in the car. Apparently kids not allowed on the roof?!
Other than a few flies I've never had any issues. Just use a decent carrier and wipe the contact points before loading it on.
I have had very slight damage to the car from cheap roof bars, but nothing a polish couldn't fix.
On the roof I might put some sort of foam on the stanchions if was doing a motorway / a road drive. Otherwise absolutely no worries at all, worst case would rinse it off when home. Fix with reusable cables ties.
A friend was driving a VX220 (similar to an Elise for the non-car folk) and a stone flicked up, went through the open roof and shattered the rear screen - seeing chips on screens and the leading edge of roof/bonnet and knowing this suggests you could see damage if unlucky, and 30 seconds protection to avoid that seems sensible, especially on expensive forks.
Been carrying bikes on the roof for 30 years. No issues. Your bike gets more hammer from riding it. Just remember to clean off the grit before clamping the down tube - or use an old innertube like I do.
Overthinking it. Will be fine.
I've been carrying bikes on a towbar rack for years and never had a problem until this year. January was very dry here (NE Scotland) and I was riding my bike without needing to wash it (so I thought). But I had 3 different sets of brakes seize in a short period. I figured it out as salt from the roads corroding the inside of the brake callipers. At this time of year I now wash the bikes when I get home after every ride even if not muddy.
Been using a towbar carrier for the last 9 years and haven't noticed any difference in how long bike bits last. But then I do wash my bike after almost every ride (Mobi in the boot so washed at the car park before loading) so the mud doesn't sit on the parts. Have noticed a bit if salt and road muck on the bike in the winter but never had any I'll effects from it. The one time I did notice an effect was when I had a roof carrier and had been out on a freezing ride at Lee Quarry. In the way back I drove through a snow shower for 40 mins or so and the soft flakes cleaned the bike incredibly well, no washing required!
As long as you keep on top of maintenance (lubing the chain, cleaning stanchions and keeping bearing seals clean) when you get home it won't be an issue.
Given the hammer bikes are designed to take, I've never been precious about having them outside the car if we can't fit them inside.
the boot of my old diesel had a layer of greasy grime on it. Thats not really something I want on my bikes. The newer petrol doesn't seem to suffer from this but I'll always prefer to put them inside if there is room. Often see people on the M4 driving solo in a big, empty estate with a bike on roof.
the boot of my old diesel had a layer of greasy grime on it
How much of that was from one drive to a ride? And go does that compare to the crap thrown on the bike on that ride?
I've been doing it since the 90s without issue.
Way more risk of damage from me constantly parting company with it on the trails.
You’re right, we always put the bikes on the rack. Our bearings need changing more often than our friends with vans.
It’s basic physics really
Salt and aluminium is a nightmare. Give bike a quick rinse with fresh water after winter drives. Have seen unlucky stone chip on stanchion too - if bike on roof, put on with back wheel at front of car
On the roof I’m not sure what extra wear or damage can occur?
I cover the fork stanchions and dropper post in that foam pipe lagging stuff. Just because, well maybe, a stone might chip them and by I'd be annoyed at myself for not....
Despite having a good car bike carrier rack I always put the bike inside the car for most rides. Firstly it’s quicker for me. I only ever use a rack when the car is full up like on long journeys. As well as potential salt corrosion and road film issues there are also security considerations.
Had a few stone chips. Once had a long drive in the rain and had a lot of water get inside the frame.
Much prefer the bikes inside the car. But mostly due to a bad back and hassle of getting a very heavy rack out the garage and on the car which inevitably puts my back out and ruins the ride.
A few years ago when we had a big freeze and a lot of snow just before Christmas my bike was on the roof coming back from Coniston to Stafford.
The M6 was slush just about all the way. When I got round to riding it again a week or so later the chain had just about rusted solid with all the salt. There was no way back for it.
On the roof. Avoid low stuff
As said, overthinking it...however, no harm in given the bike a rinse down once back from your bik ride trip as it helps keep any mank acquired from settling...same with what you'd do after a non-dry bike ride really.
Just use a decent carrier and wipe the contact points before loading it on.
Yes, I've also put thick tape on the contact point of the carrier arm; helitape wasn't enough.
On the roof I might put some sort of foam on the stanchions if was doing a motorway / a road drive.
Interesting idea.
if bike on roof, put on with back wheel at front of car
Sounds good, I don't think a rear mudhugger would like that though.
In the way back I drove through a snow shower for 40 mins or so and the soft flakes cleaned the bike incredibly well, no washing required!
Did that once. It's also nice to have a washed bike dried off by the time I get home. But it does mean you must do that post-ride wash, and do it well, otherwise you end up with a muddy roof.
there are also security considerations
That's the main one for me. I'm usually alone, so can't venture out of sight of the car e.g. into a shop or toilet. Also advertising while I'm setting off or returning home.
If you live in an urban area then being followed home (with nice bikes on showw ) by a tealeaf is a very real thing. I used to carry the bike on a towbar mounted carrier and had selveral nightime visits from scrotes to the house over the years, used to take circuitous routes home to make sure I wasn't being followed.
Once had a long drive in the rain and had a lot of water get inside the frame.
Frames are basically a load of holes held together by tubes. I doubt i've ever finished a rainy ride without a couple of cupfulls of water inside the frame... (except those frames with decent sized drain holes.)
It saves a lot of fuel inside the car. I put mine inside as it's also easier, if I can.
I always used to put bikes in the car even if it meant taking a wheel out except on holiday when the car was full.
That car died and the current one is a pain to get even one bike in plus we now have grandkids and it's a lot less trouble to use the rack than move the childseats.
However I have noticed the rack gets seriously filthy which it didn't so much when just used in the summer.