Bicycle covers: varieties, pros and cons, selection recommendations

Owners of bikes and electric bicycles, especially those who love long trips and trips, need to get a case-box or a bicycle. You should know what it is, what these accessories are, and how to use them.

Protective bicycle covers are needed for many reasons. First of all, they are necessary for lovers of trips and trips to other cities and countries. In accordance with the rules for the carriage of goods, the transport of bicycles on trains and airplanes is only allowed unassembled and compactly packed. In addition, as practice shows, bike bags find their application not only in active cycling, but also in everyday life:

• a bag for a bike makes it more convenient to move and store, reducing the number of protruding elements (pedals, front wheel and steering wheel turned to the frame);
• a packed bicycle does not stain others, does not scratch and does not tear the skin of the car;
• covers are often used as hats for camping trips;
• individual models in expanded form, if necessary, play the role of an awning.

The bike cover must meet the following requirements:

• to be made of strong, but at the same time light fabric;
• freely hold a bicycle with wheels;
• fasten securely and quickly.

Many bike owners prefer to sew luggage covers on their own. To do this, use sugar bags or ordinary shopping bags.As a rule, they buy the largest model, which is only presented in the store, and redraw along the contours of the bicycle. Such cases have serious drawbacks: their appearance is not aesthetically pleasing, and the material of such products is usually not particularly strong and hydrostatic. Loose canvases, which are used to make bags, are quickly torn by levers on the steering wheel of a bike, pedals and speed switches.

It’s best to give preference to the ready waterproof luggage covers that can be purchased at any sports store. In this case, you can spend the night in the forest or on the river bank, even in the rain. A waterproof product can be used as a cloak for your bike, and if necessary, take cover under the cover yourself, just pulling it between the trees. However, for comfort you have to pay extra: waterproof models are much more expensive.

Experienced users recommend covers made of modern dense fabrics, for example, from Rip Stop Sport. This material is used in the manufacture of branded sportswear and all necessary equipment. The advantages of fabric are obvious:

• when tearing, the material does not tear further due to the use of special technology for weaving threads;
• the canvas is light weight;
• the fabric does not get wet even with heavy rain;
• soft and hard bike covers made of Rip Stop Sport fabric have a weight of not more than 300 g.

There are 3 types of covers that differ significantly from each other.

• Soft bike accessories. They are sewn from the fabric in 1 layer. Such models are the most used: most often cyclists purchase covers for storing bikes and for the purpose of comfortable transportation. Soft products are the most affordable budget models.
• Solid. These luggage covers are made of a special coarse cloth, which is used in 2 or more layers. In most cases, these fabrics are treated with impregnations that increase the resistance of the material. Solid models can be used as a bag for transporting bikes and are much better than soft products. The dense fabric protects the bicycle from any external damage and impact. Typically, such models have an average cost, the price depends on the number of layers of the canvas.

• Hard cases are called bicycle boxes. Products are made of plastic and visually resemble suitcases for moving double basses. Most often, hard covers are used for sports, mountain and professional tourist bikes, as well as for electric bicycles. They are the only reliable protection when transporting an “iron friend” in an airplane. Coatings prevent rust on metal parts, and therefore can be used to store bicycles in the winter. The hard case is optimal for an electric bike.

However, the boxes are not without some drawbacks:

• while riding a bicycle, you will not be able to carry trunks on it;
• the product has a large weight and dimensions, so the transportation of such baggage in a car is difficult;
• the purchase of such a bicycle case “will cost a pretty penny”: their cost is quite high.

Having flaws, tough bicycle covers were not widely used. Their use makes sense only when transporting high-level bikes and value. Depending on the design, the covers can be made in several versions.

• Toe cover - a mini-version of the "clothes" for the bike. The bike carrier is put on from wheel to wheel, can stretch for 160-200 cm.
• Velocity Case - models with a rigid frame hide the entire product.

At first glance, it might seem that choosing a bag for a bike is not difficult. This is not so, when buying the necessary accessory, attention should be paid to several fundamental points.

• If possible, give preference to luggage with wheels. This will allow you to easily move the bike along the road from the car to your destination, around the airport, train station. Agree, this is much easier than carrying a lot of weight on your own shoulder.
• When choosing a luggage case, preference should be given to models with handles. On the way you will encounter steps, bumps in the road or other obstacles, and in this case you will have to lift the bike - then you will need belts or handles. They will allow you to carry the bike over your shoulder and unload your hands.
• Some bike owners prefer lock cases. On the one hand, such products increase the safety of transportation. On the other hand, think about how often you plan to leave your bike unattended. Moreover, if you are going to fly on an airplane, and customs officers, for example, consider it necessary to check the contents of the bag, they will open it anyway, even if it is locked. Therefore, decide for yourself whether you should pay extra for this dubious security.
• Choose roomy models, even if you now have the smallest or folding bike. It is possible that after a short time you will change it to a larger road or sports model, which will require a more impressive storage.

Before buying, determine the minimum dimensions of the cover. To do this, take into account 2 parameters:

• the length of the bike from the lowest point of the rear wheel to the upper position of the seat;
• distance from the extreme point of the rear wheel to the extreme point of the steering wheel.

To place the bike in a soft or hard bag, it should be turned upside down. You need to start putting on the cover from the rear wheel: in this position, during all manipulations, the steering wheel will act as a support for the bike and will not let it roll over. In general, the packaging principle is simple: first, voluminous parts, after them - smaller ones.

See the video below for an overview of the bicycle case.