How to choose your bike cover?

Storage and transport present many risks for a bike. In order to keep it in good condition for as long as possible, purchasing a quality cover is recommended.

A cover protects your bike from scratches, impacts and general premature wear. In addition to its protective function, it offers practical storage to reduce clutter once the bike is put away or placed in a car boot. It also protects the interior of your vehicle or home.

Bike cover features

• Types of covers: protective covers, transport covers, accessory covers

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BIKE COVERS

Protective covers

A soft protective cover, made with lightweight, smooth, waterproof and durable fabrics, serves several purposes. It can be used at home, whether you store your bike indoors or outdoors. It helps protect your bike from dust, UV rays that fade the paintwork and dry out the tyres and seals, moisture, or even accidental scratches that someone might inadvertently cause when passing nearby. When you take your bike somewhere, for example by car to get to a race, the soft cover can also help protect it to some extent and make it easier to handle inside the vehicle. Soft covers come in different sizes and can sometimes accommodate two bikes! A shoulder strap can make carrying by hand easier.

Transport covers

These covers can of course be used for storage, but their real value lies in the high level of protection they offer your bike during travel by car, train, boat or, above all, by plane where hold luggage is often roughly handled! Fully rigid models, fitted with padded reinforcements, securing straps and internal foam padding form a true protective shell around your bike: nothing can happen to it!

Other models combine a rigid frame with soft walls made of thick, durable fabric (anti-tear ripstop nylon). Here too, the level of protection is very good.

Transport covers come with a whole range of features that make handling easier. Handles at various points, as well as wheels, will make you forget the weight of the bike you're pulling! Wide zip openings make loading the bike straightforward.

Depending on the model, you may benefit from a reliable TSA (Transport Security Administration) certified lock system, waterproofing, secure spaces for very fragile components such as the derailleur, wheel straps to keep the bike firmly immobilised, or even a separate dedicated compartment for the wheels. It would be a shame for the teeth of your cassette to rub against your beautiful carbon frame on a transatlantic flight!

Covers for accessories

To transport your wheels separately, or to secure a second pair of wheels, manufacturers have developed specific reinforced covers that are practical to carry. Covers for other components also exist: chain cover, drivetrain cover, fork cover, battery or motor cover for electric-assist bikes, and aerobar covers for triathlon or time trial bikes. These allow you to protect the most fragile or prominent parts of your machine.

Which bike cover should you choose?

A few simple precautions will help you make the right choice. Even a high-end model must be well suited to your bike and your use to do its job!

Always check that the cover dimensions are compatible with your bike, especially if it is a hard case. Remember that to transport your bike in a hard or semi-rigid case, you will need to remove certain components.

Do not underestimate the weight of rigid transport covers. They can weigh more than 10 kg! Select the lightest models fitted with smooth, quiet wheels. Call your airline to find out the hold baggage weight limits and avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport!

If you opt for a soft protective cover, check its waterproofing and its exact UV resistance. We recommend models with a rigid base fitted with mini feet. You will be able to slide the bike easily into the cover without risking damage to the frame.