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I'll be traveling this summer (1000km each way, with one stop in between) and would like to take our bikes (4) along with us.

I have a Thule Apex installed in a 1.25" hitch that will be host to 2 mountain bikes (29er, 27.5), 1 woman's hybrid and 1 kid's mountain bike (20"). I have storage at destination.

How do I limit the impacts of the elements (rain, road debris, etc) on our bikes, most particularly the disc brakes and drive train, when traveling?

Edit #1

  • Consider the encountered wind (ie. highway vs. storage) as reviews seem to indicate that certain products may not withstand various degrees of wind.
  • Using RV in the keywords also tends to help
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There are several companies that make covers for trailer hitched bikes. It's essentially a giant bag that's designed to cinch down over your bikes and rack. For a long trip like you are suggesting, it's probably well worth getting one. I have seen bikes after such road trips on a rear rack coated in horrible, horrible road slime.

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  • Do you have models/brands to suggest? Currently googling various keywords and I'm getting too much noise in the results (ie. panniers, frame bags, etc). I was able to find something from Swagman though.
    – TechFanDan
    Jul 25, 2016 at 14:44
  • I don't have any experience and wouldn't recommend any particular brand here. However googling "hitch mount bike cover" seems to pull up a good start for me.
    – Deleted User
    Jul 25, 2016 at 14:49
  • Ah, there you go. I wasn't using appropriate keywords it seems.
    – TechFanDan
    Jul 25, 2016 at 14:51
  • I'd get a big plastic bag, the kind that matresses come in, and put that over top of the bikes once they're on the hitch. Wrap with plenty of tape or rope to stop it catching wind. Another option is a roll of cling-film (saran wrap/glad wrap/ food wrap) and use that.
    – Criggie ♦
    Jul 25, 2016 at 20:13
  • Both of those are good options for minimal or one time use. However, if you plan to use one often (or want to use the bikes during your trip) I think a bag may be worth the expense.
    – Deleted User
    Jul 25, 2016 at 21:54

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