When it comes to traveling with your bike, safety is always a concern. You don’t want someone stealing your bike while it’s sitting on top of your car, do you? And you certainly don’t want to risk damaging it in transport, either.
So, in addition to having the right bike rack, it’s also advised to get a good bike cover.
Now, you might be wondering, what’s the best bike cover for traveling?
Well, that’s where my guide comes in. I’ve covered several tips for choosing the best bike cover and put together a list of my top five favorites.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Best Runner Up
Formosa Cover
Most versatile cover, offering the option for a two-bike configuration!
Our Top Pick
Velo Sock Full Bike Cover
The gold standard of bike covers! Offering full protection while being secure and flexible.
Budget Pick
TeamObsidian Bike Cover
Excellent cover with a two-bike option and reflective strips.
Top 5 Bike Cover Picks: Reviews & Recommendations
1. Velo Sock Full Bike Cover
The Velo Sock Bike Cover is considered to be the gold standard when it comes to bike covers. It’s arguably one of the most stylish ones on this list, but it’s also one of the most innovative.
It will protect your entire bike from dirt, dust, water, and salt.
The unique water-resistant material used in this bike cover is flexible, which is a plus.
Oh, and did I mention it’s also machine washable?
It’s pretty straightforward to put it on and secure in place, and it’s compatible with most bike rack styles.
In short, it’s a great option.
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Cons
2. Formosa Cover
If you’re looking to transport two bikes, the Formosa bike cover must be one of the best choices.
The bike cover comes with two options - one-bike and two-bike configurations - and it fits most bike racks.
This bike cover is also one of the most versatile ones since it can hold two bikes, no matter how you position them.
It features two reflective panels designed to reflect your brake lights, too - a huge plus if you're worried about visibility.
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3. TeamObsidian Bike Cover
TeamObsidian Bike cover is another excellent traveling cover for your bike.
It also features two options of accommodating one or two bikes - and features a 2-year warranty to boot.
While this cover has reflective strips for easier identification, there’s not much going on in terms of visibility.
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4. PRO Bike Cover
PRO bike cover is among the most cost-efficient yet most durable bike covers you can get if you travel with a hitch rack.
Oh, and much like my two previous picks, it also offers enough space for more than one bike.
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5. North East Harbor Deluxe Single Bike Cover
One of the cheapest covers for your bike that does the job right is the North East Harbor Deluxe bike cover.
It’s one of the cheapest I’ve tested, actually.
Given the price tag, you shouldn’t expect it to last too long or to withstand extreme conditions. But with that said - and to my general surprise - this cover does a pretty decent job of keeping your bike guarded against small debris and rain.
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How To Select The Right Traveling Bike Cover
There are many different bike covers on the market - and they’re definitely not all made equal.
My point is: You must be careful about how you spend your money.
Here, I’ve covered several factors to look out for to ensure you’re getting the perfect bike cover for your trip.
Material
When searching for the best bike cover you can take a trip or travel with, the first thing you must ensure is quality - as in, that the cover is highly durable and waterproof.
Your bike cover should hold up to the high speeds and the rough weather you might encounter on the road. And a significant factor in this is the material type used to produce the bike cover.
Now, you’re probably aware that several different materials are used to make bike covers, some of which are polyester, nylon, and polyurethane.
Polyester is the best type of material used for bike covers. More often than not, it’s waterproof - and it’s also relatively strong and long-lasting.
As such, it’s arguably the best material for bike covers if you’re traveling with your bike:
It will help you protect your bike from debris and rain you might encounter on the road.
Polyester will also last much longer than other alternatives.
Nylon is another popular material for making bike covers, primarily because it’s lightweight and boasts waterproof capabilities.
Unfortunately, nylon isn’t the most robust material on its own, so it's commonly mixed with other materials to enhance its durability.
If you’re going on a short ride or need limited protection, nylon might be the best option due to its low cost, though.
Polyurethane is an excellent material due to its waterproofing capability - but it’s not as durable and robust as polyester.
For any longer trips, you might want to find a bike cover that boasts a mix of polyurethane and some other - more robust - material.
Denier
When you’re looking to buy a bike cover, you’ll notice that most bike covers will list the durability and strength of the material with a number followed by the “D” letter.
What’s up with that?
Well, the “D” refers to the term Denier, which indicates a measure of the strength of a bike cover - or any other kind of fabric - based on the thickness and threads of the cover.
The higher the number, the more durable - and thicker - the material is.
Most bike covers have a denier of 120D to 240D. However, you’ll want a cover with a little more durability and thickness if you’re going to travel around with your bike.
I generally recommend a bike cover that features thicker nylon and polyester material to provide much-needed waterproofing and durability.
For those longer trips, I also suggest a denier rating of up to 600D. That’ll protect your e-bike from the rain and guard it against debris that could bounce up from the road.
Size
The next thing you should keep in mind is the bike cover’s actual size - and, more specifically, if it will fit your bike.
Now, I’ll assume you’ll be buying one online. So, I should probably warn you that it’s generally a bit more challenging to get the sizing right that way.
So, my first advice is:
Measure the length and height of your e-bike - then compare it to the bike cover’s measurements.
Ideally, you’ll want a bike cover that can cover your bike fully with some room to breathe. If you're unsure about the exact cover size you need, it’s generally better to go for an oversized cover than a smaller one.
A bike cover that’s too small won’t cover your e-bike entirely and will potentially leave it at risk of damage. However, if you buy an extra-large cover, you can wrap the excess around your bike or use it to cover another one.
Price
The next thing you should keep in mind is the bike cover’s actual size - and, more specifically, if it will fit your bike.
Now, I’ll assume you’ll be buying one online. So, I should probably warn you that it’s generally a bit more challenging to get the sizing right that way.
So, my first advice is:
Measure the length and height of your e-bike - then compare it to the bike cover’s measurements.
Ideally, you’ll want a bike cover that can cover your bike fully with some room to breathe. If you're unsure about the exact cover size you need, it’s generally better to go for an oversized cover than a smaller one.
A bike cover that’s too small won’t cover your e-bike entirely and will potentially leave it at risk of damage.
However, if you buy an extra-large cover, you can wrap the excess around your bike or use it to cover another one.
Features
As I mentioned before, some bike covers come with extra features that make them easier - and, all in all, better - to use.
But again, you won’t typically find these features on bike covers with a lower price tag. However, they make things so much easier in the long run.
One of the most crucial features of a bike cover is the area of reflective material. For example, on most bike covers, the manufacturer often ads several lines of reflective material to the ends, side, or front of the cover.
That’s a pretty handy feature because it makes it easier to see when it's on the back of your car.
Try to get a bike cover that has a decent amount of reflective material so you can put your mind at ease regarding someone crashing into your bike by accident.
Furthermore, security is another concern when you’re traveling with your bike:
Whether you’re making stops for a bathroom break or to eat, there are times when you’ll have to leave your bike unsupervised.
That’s where you need to worry about your bike’s security. You paid a good amount of money for it, after all. The bike cover that you opt for should have a way of accessing the bike so you can secure the bike to your bike rack or post.
Most bike covers with security features come with locking loopholes, allowing you to lock the front wheel of your bike to something without having to uncover it.
While this can come in handy, it’s not entirely secure. Keep a close eye on your bike, nevertheless - that’s all I’m saying.
Another bike cover feature that’s underrated - or flat-out overlooked - would be the handles.
This feature generally comes standard, but some cheaper covers might not include handles.
But are they even that important?
Well, the thing is, handles can be helpful in several ways.
First, they make it easy to line the bike cover up with your bike as they provide you with a reference point.
When it comes to removing or placing the bike cover, handles also make the whole ordeal a lot more manageable. Finally, you can use handles to hang the cover when it’s not in use, whether for drying or storage.
Now, while covers are designed to protect your bike, they, themselves, need some protection, too.
When driving, you’ll encounter high wind speeds that can cause your bike cover to flutter in the wind. And if your bike cover isn’t secured correctly, it could fly off, exposing your bike.
Obviously, this can pose a massive problem if you’re barreling down a highway or, even worse, if you’re in the middle of a storm.
To prevent damaging your bike - or putting other drivers in danger - most models will feature a securing strap to aid in tying them down. The more straps, the better - although most of them only feature one strap.
Color is another thing you should keep in mind when purchasing a new bike cover - and here’s why:
For starters, you probably want a bike cover that matches your car - and personal preferences. Plus, you don’t want a cover that might attract too much attention - especially not the unwanted kind.
As I already mentioned, you want to keep your bike protected and secured during your trip, so if you call too much attention to your bike cover, there’s a good chance a thief will take notice and try to steal it.
Trust me; they’re aware of how expensive your e-bike might be.
Finally, with just about any product you purchase, it’s a good idea to get a warranty if possible. Things aren’t any different when buying bike covers - especially if you want one to hold up on a long journey.
Where To Buy A Bike Cover?
When it comes to purchasing your bike cover, there are a few ways to go about it. Don’t just go to your local Walmart searching for the bike cover - not before exploring other options first.
Here are my recommendations regarding where to look for your new bike cover:
Online - The most popular way to purchase almost everything these days is by ordering it online. Things aren’t different when it comes to bike covers. Unlike purchasing one at your local department store, ordering a bike cover online allows you to check reviews and feedback regarding the one you plan to buy. That’s really helpful and can save you a lot of time - and, not to mention, money.
Local Bike Shop - The second great place to purchase your bike cover is a local bike shop. Bike shops generally keep reputable accessories and parts in stock - and there’s always a sense of trust in the product. In addition, the staff can provide real-time advice - and it’s a good chance they’re already using the bike cover you want to purchase.
Conclusion
There are plenty of choices when it comes to selecting the best bike cover for traveling - no matter the type of bike you have.
Refer to the list I’ve provided here as a guide to aid you in choosing the right bike cover for you. Keep in mind everything you’d want in a cover - such as a thicker, more durable material, price, size, and additional features.
Good luck - and stay safe on your next adventure!