Bikes and cars

secretsam

Right, confession: I am not an MTBist, but I feel you folk are best placed for advice.
I love thrashing round off road on my gravel bike. I sometimes go by car, and just pop down the seats and chuck the bike in. It's an old car, not worried about dirt.
But...if I had a nicer car, how would I keep it "nice" without faffing around with racks? This includes driver's seat, etc.
Thanks in advance.

hdow

Old carpet to line the back. Rolls up easy. Will soak up oil, mud & water. Let it dry then shake it out to keep clean

oxoman

Similar issues to you and I've managed for a couple of years with a large waterproof cover spread over the back of the car when the seats are down. I use a mechanics seat cover over my drivers seat if I'm dirty / wet. I have a plastic storage box that I can chuck dirty /wet stuff in. This has been with both my gravel and mtb. I am looking at replacing my car in the summer and the prerequisites include roof rails so I can fit my bike carrier again.

secretsam

oxoman said:

...so I can fit my bike carrier again.

Yeah, sadly a dislocated shoulder and general oldie knackeration mean that a tailgate rack is my option

oxoman said:

I use a mechanics seat cover

Any recommendations?

hdow said:

Old carpet to line the back. Rolls up easy. Will soak up oil, mud & water. Let it dry then shake it out to keep clean

I hadn't thought of that. Genius.

whyamihere

I just use a large tarp in the boot, folded so that it goes up the sides a bit to protect the carpet there.

oxoman

Secretsam I've just got a generic one care of mac tools. Machine mart, sealey, halfords etc do them or amazon. Just be aware car seat airbags.

me-109

I use a groundsheet meant for use under a tent. It's like a large heavy duty plastic sheet rather than a tarp that is woven material. It's more robust and fully waterproof. The edges have gone raggy after many years use and exposure to UV, heat and cold.

secretsam

I thought you'd all have vans...