Welcome to Motorhomefacts, we are a thriving motorhome community (Largest in Europe). Why Not JOIN NOW and get instant access to more of the website. It costs nothing to join and only takes a few minutes. We have 200,000 different people visiting our site monthly and this amount of motorhomers in one place guarantees a fast response to any questions you may have. We also have unique facilities not found elsewhere such as our Online Logbook, stopover tracker, Motorhome directory with Ebay type feedback and the largest repository of motorhome campsites reviews found anywhere
Anyone know of a good source of cycle covers for when the bikes are on the rack at the back of the van?
We have a fiamma rack (see Avatar photo, left), which seems to hold the bikes securely by means of wheel clamps and additional arms that clamp round the cross bar.
I never gave our old mountain bikes much thought and just bunged them on the rack.
However, we just bought a new bike for my wife, and she'd like it to be afforded some protection. Trouble is, I can see the crossbar clamp 'arms' really getting in the way.
Has anybody found a way round this - either by cutting the cover, or a source of covers with strategically placed holes in them?
______________________________________________________________ cheers
Roger
---------------------------------------------------
I´m not really as paranoid as everyone thinks I am
We fund the Fiamma one to be so difficult to put on as to be not worth bothering with.....
BUT when we used it, after a long battle we could get it on, although we often used to have to turn the handlebars through 90 degrees so that they were in line with the rest of the bike.......
It needed a step ladder though to get to the top, and then gorilla arms to get it down the back where it snagged everything I could see, and loads I couldn't see - very frustrating.........
We no longer bother and the bikes remain perfectly clean (cleaner than when we ride them through the mud and gunge of forests etc....)
@rogerblack: makes perfect sense that Fiamma would make them (why didn't I think of that?). Has to be the best solution. Thank you!
@Penguin: Yes, totally understand about the stepladder think, especially considering I am, er., how do I put this?, "vertically challenged"?
We carry a small step with us in the van but even so, reaching the securing arms can be difficult if you're on a bit of a slope.
If my experience of wives is anything to go by (and I'm on number 3 so I speak from [bitter?] experience), it will be better to buy a cover and find it's impossible to use than to try pointing out that a bike will be perfectly fine exposed to the elements.....
Very tough cover that fits well and keeps evrything out. Packaging says not for use on moving vehicles but I've had no problems. Fit it to the bike, then lift onto rack and mark where steady arm would need to pass through. Cut a hole in that location about 2" dia (material doesn't fray).
Works very well.
They also do a cover for multiple bikes which looks similar.
______________________________________________________________ If you lend someone £20 and never see that person again, it was probably well worth it.
I use two covers, one over the other, purchased from a pound(ish) shop! Just tug away and fit over as best you can. O.K, it leaves something of a gap between the bikes and rear wall of the van because of the arms, but the van wall in itself gives good protection, then clamp the whole caboodle in a cargo net (pound shop again!). Looks neat,does the job, and so cheap you can replace after a few outings. I used this method for 3 months touring, bikes kept clean, and no upsets. just replaced the covers, cost £3. As a bonus,you can slide the warning sign under the net,no messing about tying it on etc.
Bought a Fiamma one, disintegrated on the first trip.
Replaced it with the Fiamma Premium version, lasted 2-3 trips.
Dropped lucky and found an almost new Omnistor one off eBay for £15. Has been to through thick and thin of Heat and snow and a quick rinse sees it looking like new.
Would pay the New price of £80 or so new and save my money on buying the Fiamma Cr4p.
Cheaper and better alternative to the Fiamma is a tarpoleon type thing from the likes of B&M or Bargain stores.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
All times are GMT + 1 Hour Page 1 of 2Goto page 1, 2Next
France
