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Cover for racked bike?

jhpiiijhpiii
in Racing Forum 🏎

Racing Eagleman this weekend. My first race with mandatory bike racking the day before. Is it really necessary to cover the bike/seat/headset overnight? It is not supposed to rain. Thanks for any advice.

John

Comments

  • Peter GreaggPeter Greagg
    Why would you want to cover your bike?
    Presumably it's waterproof?
    And you are going to be wet from the swim when you get on the bike, so it will get wet anyway.
    Just sayin'
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    While I agree with Peter's bemisement at triathletes who cover the saddle to keep it dry, there are parts on the bike that don't do well if they get a soaking ... Derailleurs, chain, rings and cassette. Rust and stiffness builds up pretty quick. If overnight rain is in the forecast, I use a plastic bag over those parts, which I remove in the morning during T0, not after the swim. Online, you can get prefab covers for just the drive train.
  • Peter GreaggPeter Greagg
    Good point Al.
    Although in Australia, we are forbidden to place any covers on our bikes in IMs and 70.3s.
    The TOs will remove them if we leave our bikes covered.
  • Satish PunnaSatish Punna

    newbie comment/question here: if rain is in the forecast is there any harm in coating the sensitive mechanical bits (derailleurs etc) in light water displacing oil, like WD-40? obviously you wouldn't want to do this for your saddle but what about the mechanical stuff? 

  • mpaonempaone
    Eagleman has stated no plastic coverings (garbage bags) on the bike, they will be removed. Only official bike covers will be allowed.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Eagleman's sponser last year was Rack Jacket the race's offical bike rack cover.  I bought one there last year.  I personally use them when bike is racked the day before.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    I had no idea there were strong policies on bike coverings.... Who knew. Vey little rain in the Southwestern US, I suppose...
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Most races won't let you cover the whole bike...only parts. If wind kicks up, it gets very bad.

    Stay away from WD-40. It's a solvent to remove grease, not a a lubricant. It could wash the legit grease out of your system and then evaporate. not good.

    If bad weather is in the forecast, ask them if they are enforcing the bike check-in. At KS 70.3 last weekend, they broke with tradition and said you could bring your bike Sunday morning because thunderstorms overnight were forecast. They didn't widely announce it and 3/4 or more of the people left their bike overnight. I had already checked mine in when I found out and went back to take it out. I think they were more concerned about wind than rain, but it's a legit question if it looks like it's going to be bad.
  • Satish PunnaSatish Punna

    Posted By Dino Sarti on 09 Jun 2013 08:36 PM


    I had no idea there were strong policies on bike coverings.... Who knew. Vey little rain in the Southwestern US, I suppose...

    Don't rub it in.  I was preparing to build an ark on Saturday. 

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    At Peter- So funny because in Europe they issue all IM competitors the same heavy duty plastic full bike cover.
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