Best Bicycle Cover for Bike Rack Travel: Guide & Reviews
If you need to store your bike outside for any meaningful length of time, then you need to cover it up. A quality bike cover provides protection from rain, snow, and UV rays, all of which can damage components, fade paint, and generally shorten the lifespan of your trusty and beloved ride. When transporting your bike, using a specific Bicycle Cover For Bike Rack Travel can prevent scratches and shield your ride from small rocks and gravel that can get kicked up on roadways. Plus, covers keep your bike clean, preventing bird poop, pollen, and other outdoor detritus from making their marks. It’s helpful in your garage as well, where dust and debris can build up quickly. Either way, a cover means you spend less time cleaning and more time riding. Most bike covers cost no more than $100–and you can get one for significantly less than that. It’s a small investment that will minimize maintenance and care, saving you time and money. Just remember to clean the bike before stashing it in its cover. Storing your bike without cleaning off the dirt, grime and/or road salt from your ride can lead to rust, causing extensive damage.
Why Use a Bike Cover for Travel and Storage?
The main function of a bike cover, whether for travel or stationary storage, is to protect your bikes from rain, sunlight, road salt, dust, bird droppings, and other random debris. Prolonged exposure to the elements will cause corrosion and damage over time. You do not want to store your bike outside, uncovered for an extended period. If your situation dictates storing your bicycles outside, investing in a quality bike cover will greatly prolong its life and reduce the amount of time and money you invest in upkeep and part replacement. Likewise, if you routinely mount your bike on the back of your vehicle for extended travel, a bike cover designed for transport will keep road salt and moisture from building up on the bike. Covers also help keep your bike clean, even indoors, preventing dust accumulation or protecting your home from grime brought in after a ride.
Understanding Bike Cover Types: Travel vs. Stationary
Bike covers come in two general flavors: “travel” and “stationary.”
Travel covers are specifically made to protect your bike while mounted on a bike rack during transit. They feature lots of buckles and straps, allowing them to get a tight, wind-resistant fit around their cargo. This ensures everything stays in place when you’re cruising down the highway. They often feature reflective elements, as well as see-through areas so they don’t block your car’s taillights (though external auxiliary lights might still be needed sometimes). These essential features tend to make travel covers a little more expensive than those made solely for storing your bike in a garage or yard.
Stationary covers are designed for storing your bike when you aren’t using it. These come in two main styles:
- Tarp-style: These effectively act as tarps that you drape over your bike–easy to put on and take off. They should be lightweight and fold down into a carrying case for portability, ideal for commuters.
- Tent-style: These are constructed more like tents, with poles providing structure to create a semi-permanent home for your bike, often complete with a floor for more complete protection. They should mimic the design and build of a well-made camping tent, featuring poles, stakes, vents, and zippered doorways.
In most cases, you should be able to use a travel cover in place of a stationary cover, but not the other way around. Stationary covers typically lack the necessary straps and secure fit required for safe highway travel, unless heavily supplemented with extra cords and straps.
Key Features to Look For in a Bicycle Cover
The best bike covers have a distinct shape, making it easy to differentiate the front (wider for handlebars) from the back. Consider the primary use: long-term storage, weatherproofing a commuter bike, or extra protection during transport on a bike rack.
Material and Protection: All the covers recommended here are constructed from materials with waterproof and UV-ray resistant properties. Fabric weight is measured in “denier” (D), indicating the thickness of individual threads. Most quality outdoor gear uses tear-resistant technical fabrics like ripstop nylon, oxford cloth, or polyester, treated with a water-resistant coating. Higher denier (e.g., 600D) generally means greater durability compared to lower denier fabrics (e.g., 210D).
Fit and Security: Look for features like elastic hems and adjustable buckles or drawstrings to ensure a snug fit, especially crucial for travel covers to prevent billowing in the wind. For stationary covers used outdoors where theft is a concern, choose one equipped with grommet holes large enough to accommodate a bike lock.
Travel-Specific Features: For a Bicycle Cover For Bike Rack Travel, prioritize numerous adjustable straps for a secure fit, reflective elements for visibility, and potentially transparent panels for taillights or a license plate holder.
How We Selected The Best Bike Covers
The selection process is based on years of testing and travel experience, recommendations from Bicycling editorial contributors and fellow riders, and analysis of reviews from online retailers. The author brings 15 years of experience writing about cycling gear for publications like Bicycling Magazine, Adventure Cycling Magazine, and BBC Travel, combined with over 30 years of professional experience as a tailor and pattern maker, providing deep knowledge of fabrics and construction quality. This guide features durable, protective, and user-friendly covers suitable for various needs, including options for single or multiple bikes.
The Best Bike Covers Reviewed
Best Overall: Topcrown Bike Cover
Topcrown Bike Cover in black draped over a bicycle
Pros:
- Reflective details enhance visibility
- Lock holes lined with fabric prevent scratches
- Packs down into storage bag for easy transport
Cons:
- Less durable than some heavier-duty picks
Key Specs:
- Sizes: XL (1 bike), XXL (2), XXXL (3)
- Material: 210D Oxford fabric
- Lock access: Yes
- Adjustable fit: Yes
For most users, an inexpensive, straightforward cover like the Topcrown provides essential protection from the elements. It features a water-resistant coating, an inner polyurethane coating for UV protection, and fabric-lined lock holes. Small flourishes make it stand out: reflective details aid visibility in low light, and reflective handles on top help orient the cover correctly, reducing frustration when covering your bike in the rain. Available in three sizes with elastic hems and buckles for fit adjustment, the XL version weighs only 14 ounces, making it great for commuters.
Best Value: Puroma Outdoor Waterproof Bike Cover
Puroma black bike cover shown over a bicycle
Pros:
- Adjustable, secure buckles
- Lock access with substantial grommets
Cons:
- Thin material may impact long-term durability
Key Specs:
- Sizes: L (1 bike), XL (2), XXL (3)
- Material: Polyester with PU and UV coating
- Lock access: Yes
- Adjustable fit: Yes
The Puroma cover offers affordability combined with practical features like substantial, rustproof grommet lock holes, making it a good pairing for a bike lock. Its double-stitched elastic hem and adjustable buckles around the wheels ensure a secure fit against wind. It provides waterproof, tear-resistant, and UV-blocking protection. It conveniently folds into a carry pouch attachable to your bike frame. While effective, its thinner material might not last as long as premium options.
Best for Indoor Storage: Riverhiker Stretchy Bike Cover
Riverhiker stretchy bike cover with colorful pattern covering bike wheels and drivetrain
Pros:
- Fits a variety of bike sizes due to stretchy fabric
- Lightweight
- Made from a washable fabric
- Available in fun prints and colors
Cons:
- Can be tough to get on
Key Specs:
- Sizes: 1 Bike
- Material: Polyester and spandex
- Lock access: No
- Adjustable fit: No (relies on stretch)
Ideal for indoor storage, especially near living areas or when bringing a bike into an office, the Riverhiker stretchy cover wraps around wheels, pedals, and the drivetrain. This prevents dirt, grime, and scuff marks on floors, walls, and furniture. It’s also useful for bikes stored on wall racks. Available in eight colorful, whimsical prints, it’s machine-washable and quick-drying, offering a more aesthetic option than typical outdoor covers.
Best Stationary Cover: Happy Travel Bike Storage Tent
Happy Travel bike storage tent set up outdoors
Pros:
- Large sizes accommodate multiple bikes
- Fully enclosed design, including a floor, minimizes exposure
- Ventilation flaps for temperature and humidity control
Cons:
- No specific access for locking bikes to an external anchor
Key Specs:
- Sizes: XL (2 bikes), XXL (4-5), XXXL (8-10)
- Material: 210D Oxford fabric
- Lock access: No
- Adjustable fit: No (structured tent)
For secure outdoor areas like backyards, the Happy Travel bike storage tent acts as a pop-up shed. Available in sizes ranging from accommodating two bikes up to ten, its structured design offers excellent protection. Unlike tarp covers, it includes a floor, protecting wheels from ground moisture and buildup. It simplifies daily storage during cycling season compared to draping fitted covers. Built like a tent with taped waterproof seams, UV protection, fiberglass poles, and vents, it packs into a carrying case, potentially useful for group travel despite the setup effort.
Best Travel Cover: Formosa Travel Bike Cover
Formosa travel bike cover enclosing bikes on a rear car rack
Pros:
- Small U.S. based business
- License plate holder included (dual-bike model)
- See-through panels for tail lights enhance safety
Cons:
- Installation can be tricky
Key Specs:
- Sizes: Single, dual, quad
- Material: 600D polyester, mesh-reinforced PVC ends
- Lock access: No (focus is on securing the cover)
- Adjustable fit: Yes
The Formosa Travel Cover is specifically designed as a bicycle cover for bike rack travel, protecting both bikes and your vehicle during road trips. Made from thick 600D polyester with water- and UV-resistant coating, its dual-zip design completely encloses bikes and cinches tight with a drawstring around the hitch mount. Transparent mesh-reinforced PVC panels allow taillights to show through, and the dual-bike model includes a license plate sleeve. Crucially, eight adjustable buckle straps on the zippered top and sides ensure a secure, road-ready fit, minimizing flapping and protecting bikes effectively during transport.
Best for Mountain Bikes: Zettum Bike Cover
Zettum bike cover in black, covering a bicycle
Pros:
- Lock holes on both front and rear ends
- Made from thick, heavy-duty 600D oxford cloth
- Waterproof with taped seams
Cons:
- May need an additional strap for security in very high winds
Key Specs:
- Sizes: L (1 bike), XL (2 bikes), XXL (3 bikes)
- Material: 600D Oxford cloth with polyurethane coating
- Lock access: Yes (front and rear)
- Adjustable fit: Yes (buckles and elastic)
Constructed from heavy-duty 600D Oxford cloth with double-stitched taped seams, the Zettum cover offers superior durability and protection against water and sunlight compared to standard 200-300D covers. Its large size (70 x 31 x 47 inches for L) effectively drapes over bigger bikes like mountain bikes and e-bikes, with XL and XXL options for multiple bikes. Quick-release buckles, elastic hems, and lock holes on both ends ensure it stays put and allows for secure locking, making it suitable for public or semi-public parking.
Best with Handles: Team Obsidian Waterproof Bike Cover
Team Obsidian black bike cover with reflective handle detail
Pros:
- Available in multiple sizes and types (stationary/travel)
- Reflective handles for easy removal and adjustment
- Durable construction
Cons:
- Plastic buckles on safety straps may wear out over time
Key Specs:
- Size: L (1 bike), XL (2 bikes), XXL (3 bikes)
- Material: 210D ripstop (stationary), 300D or 600D (transportation) with PU coating
- Lock access: Yes (stationary version)
- Adjustable fit: Yes (drawstring cords and buckle)
Team Obsidian covers feature substantial reflective grab handles, making removal and adjustment easier, especially when the bike is on a rack. They offer both stationary (210D ripstop) and bike rack-compatible (300D or 600D) versions, each available in sizes for one to three bikes. Drawstring cords at each end and a bottom safety buckle provide a secure fit.
Best for Bike Racks: Comnova Bike Cover
Comnova bike cover designed for rack transport, shown in grey
Pros:
- Heavy, waterproof 600D fabric
- Five windproof buckles for secure fit during travel
- Comes with a cloth for bike cleaning
Cons:
- Instructions not included
Key Specs:
- Sizes: L (1 bike), XL (2 bikes), XXL (3 bikes)
- Material: 600D Oxford cloth
- Lock access: Yes
- Adjustable fit: Yes (multiple buckles)
The Comnova Bike Cover excels for transport use due to its five windproof buckles, offering a tighter and more secure fit than most covers to prevent flapping during drives. Four additional bottom holes allow for extra bungees if needed. Made from strong 600D fabric, it’s waterproof, windproof, UV-resistant, and tear-resistant. A reflective handle aids removal in low light. This is a strong contender for those seeking the best bicycle cover for bike rack travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bike Covers
Do I really need a bike cover?
While bikes are built to handle wet conditions, prolonged exposure to elements like rain, snow, and UV rays causes corrosion and damage over time. Storing a bike outside uncovered for extended periods is not recommended. A quality cover significantly prolongs its life and reduces maintenance needs. For travel, a cover protects against road salt, moisture, and debris kicked up during transport. Indoors, it prevents dust buildup and protects your living space from dirt.
What kind of bike cover should I buy?
This depends on your primary use. For locking up outside during commutes, choose a lightweight, packable cover with lock holes. If using it mainly for transporting bikes on a vehicle rack, buy a cover specifically designed for travel, featuring robust straps and potentially visibility panels. For all uses, ensure the cover offers waterproof and UV-resistant properties.
How do I clean a bike cover?
Bike covers don’t require delicate handling. Rinse off outdoor grime with a hose or wipe down with a damp cloth. For excessive dirt, machine washing on a gentle cycle with minimal detergent is possible. Always air-dry your cover. Putting it in a machine dryer can damage the waterproof treatment.
When should I cover my bike?
Cover your bike whenever you plan to leave it outside for longer than a day. Daily commutes where the bike is parked outside during work hours are generally fine, as riding it home helps shake off standing water. However, for overnight storage or longer periods outdoors, a cover is essential. For travel on a rack, always use a cover designed for that purpose.
