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review
£29.99
VERDICT:
Exceptional waterproofing and plenty of room for two full size bikes
Weight:
2,500g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
- Exceptional
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Quite good
- Average
- Not so good
- Poor
- Bad
- Appalling
The original BTR Extra Large Heavy Duty Waterproof Bicycle Cover has been updated to be big enough for two bikes and has some extra features to improve performance over the original. BTR has managed to keep the price the same too.
- Pros: Excellent waterproofing; neat extras like the rings for a lock
- Cons: Can be a bit of a faff to fit quickly
We tested the original Heavy Duty Bike Cover back in June of 2016 and Dave was impressed with it.
His only real criticism was that claims made about being able to get two or three bikes inside was a bit of a stretch, although it was only technically designed for one bike.
BTR has been listening, though, and has come back with this Extra Large version which, with dimensions of 230 x 70 x 126cm will swallow two adult bikes easily, and you could probably squeeze a kid's one in there as well.
It's quite a heavy cover (2.5kg) to manhandle on your own, especially if you are trying to balance two bikes together, so I'd definitely say don't wait for the rain to start before trying to get it over the bikes in a hurry.
Once in place, the elastic front and rear keep the cover snug around the bottom of the wheels, and to stop it disappearing off down the road there are a couple of clips that you can pass through the wheels to keep it secure.
> Beginner's guide to bike security
To enable you to lock your bikes around a post or whatever there are two ring eyelets at the front, allowing you to pass a chain or cable through the cover and out the other side – neat little details.
It still uses the same 210D polyester fabric as the original, which has a thick PVC coating on the inside, although BTR says this new version has an improved lining. Protection against sun damage has been increased as well.
> Buyer's Guide: 10 of the best bike storage systems
All of the seams are double stitched for strength, plus they are taped to increase the waterproofing. It works brilliantly, and over the last month it has seen full days of steady rain and stood up to torrential rain from thunderstorms without letting a single drop of water through.
When it comes to the price it's impressive to see that BTR has managed to keep it at £29.99 for the larger size. We haven't tested a lot of bike covers so far, but looking at the usual suspects on the internet, a company like Oxford offers a similar two-bike cover for about £25, although reviews state it as more water resistant than fully waterproof so the BTR does look decent value.
Conclusion
This is an excellent, flexible storage solution. Not everyone has the option of a shed or garage, and if your bikes have to be stored outside then the BTR should keep them out of the elements year round.
Verdict
Exceptional waterproofing and plenty of room for two full size bikes
road.cc test report
Make and model: BTR Extra Large Heavy Duty Waterproof Bicycle Cover For 2 Bikes
Size tested: 230 x 70 x 126cm
Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
BTR says, "We designed our bike covers to last and be 100% waterproof. This product was a long time in the design as we tried & tested lots & lots of different materials to ensure we were happy with the quality and the seals on the seams as we don't want to leave your cycles exposed."
BTR seems to have recognised the flaws we found on the original and delivered a very good waterproof product.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
BTR lists:
Ultra Heavyweight – weighs 2.5kg
Double Stitched Seams – so they don't rip
Waterproof – ensures your bike remains dry
Waterproof Seal Over the Seams – prevents drips penetrating
Made from 210D Polyester material (325GSM) – it's tough and won't stretch or tear
Anti UV – stops it fading
Storm Clip – with Easy-Clip so you don't need to fiddle with buckles
Elasticated at the Front & Back – helps ensure a good fit
2 x Security Eyelets – so you can still use your Chain Lock, deter theft
2 x Reflective High Visibility Loops – so you can find it in the dark
Supplied with Drawstring Bag - for stowing away when not in use
Suitable for Use Indoors & Outside
Size L:230cm x W:70cm x H:126cms – you can fit 2 bikes under this or a Scooter. Please do measure your bike to ensure a good fit
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
9/10
Heavy enough for it not to blow away and flap about in the wind.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Plenty of room for two if not three bikes, and keeps the weather out.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Awesome waterproofing.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Can be tricky to fit quickly.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Compared with the few I found online, the BTR looks decent value considering the performance.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
BTR has taken the criticisms we made in our review of the original cover and fixed them, so it now delivers excellent performance and improved durability.
About the tester
Age: 40
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed
Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.
With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.
He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.
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