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Bike Blanket protects bicycle frame during transportation - is seeking Kickstarter fundingbike blanket 4.png

Bike Blanket protects bicycle frame during transportation - is seeking Kickstarter funding

The Bike Blanket aims to protect your bicycle during transportation - and it’s on Kickstarter now
by David Arthur @davearthur
Fri, Apr 22, 2016 12:03
7

Here’s the latest cycling product to hit Kickstarter. The Bike Blanket is a protective cover for the bicycle frame and is intended to be used when transporting the bicycle on a car rack or on the train. Or just when it's leant up against the hallway wall.

The Bike Blanket is made from a “continuous membrane of protective material” and the one-piece design is claimed to make it easy to fit over the bicycle in just 60 seconds. It also wraps around the rear mech and chainset as well, to prevent them from getting damaged. 

bike blanket 2.jpg

The idea for the Bike Blanket came when cyclist Matt Franks was fed up with damaging his bicycle frame when transporting it, and didn’t want to use an expensive bike bag because it requires disassembly of the bicycle and wouldn’t fit in the car anyway. After speaking to other cyclists that apparently experience the same problem, he set about developing the Bike Blanket. 

Fitting the Bike Blanket looks, from the photos, to be quite easy. It fixes to the forks, then goes up over the stem and wraps around the seat post, stretches down to the rear mech and then loops, via the chainset, up the down tube and lastly fixes in place at the head tube. It covers the main parts of the frame and fork. It apparently takes just 60 seconds to install.

It’s designed to fit road bikes ranging in size from 54 to 58cm. The company plans to increase the range of sizes in the future, and will be adding mountain bike and hybrid bikes versions.

bike blanket 3.png

The best use for the Bike Blanket does appear to be for using with a car rack. If you do use a car rack, you probably take extra precaution with pipe lagging or old rags to ensure the bicycle, especially if racking several bikes, is protected and won’t get scratched or even worse, get damaged. 

bike blanket 5.jpeg

And when it’s not needed, the Bike Blanket rolls up very small, so it could be useful for cycling trips. 

The company has done all the design work and applied for a patent, it needs a successful Kickstarter campaign to put the Bike Blanket into production. You can currently pledge £39 and receive one of the first production versions, with an estimated delivery of July 2016.

bike blanket 6.jpg

Currently, the Bike Blanket has gained £906 of support, but it needs £13,750 to become a reality. With 22 days to go, it's likely it'll hit that target. We'll be keeping an eye on it.

Check it out at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1322521520/the-bike-blanket-the-sim...

bike blanket
Kickstarter
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

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7 comments

Avatar
handlebarcam | 8 years ago
0 likes

I've seen worse ideas on Kickstarter than a Borat-style mankini for bicycles, but I think I'll pass just the same.

Avatar
Jeffmcguinness | 8 years ago
0 likes

Its a good idea but with my bike having external gear cable routing, I'm not sure that this is designed to fit between the frame and the cables - which is where its needs protection when transported on my bike rack.  My old piece of towel will have to remain in use a little while longer.

 

Avatar
tritecommentbot | 8 years ago
0 likes

For first gen, it's looking good and fit for purpose.

Pricey though. I'm not the target market here, as either I have my eye on the bike or it's in a really protective bike bag.

 

Thing I didn't like was the 'not a pro' comment. I'm not a pro either, but my best bike is as expensive as theirs, and I have to work real hard to have it, unlike them, who can treat their bikes like crap and get them replaced. That's why normal people need as good as they can afford bike bags/cases to look after their hard earned kit.

 

Just doesn't sound very grounded, but maybe I'm being a bit harsh, it was likely just a silly throwaway remark.

 

This thing is easily copied. I could sent it to some manufacturers today on Alibaba and have it out on eBay by the end of May at half the price and be making some greens. Could have it better looking and have a really cool looking brand and logo on there too.

 

He needs to up his game quickly as it's low tech and therefore all it takes is a whim from someone with a few hours and internet access to ruin.

 

That said, reckon it's useful and a welcome addition to the market. Good on him.

Avatar
Bradfasta | 8 years ago
1 like

hmm, why go to all that effort to protect a PlasticX?

Avatar
schlepcycling | 8 years ago
0 likes

Or 6 of these cut down to fit around each tube and with the tube name written on in permanent marker.....£6...done.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/economy-pipe-insulation-28mm-x-1m/38391

 

Avatar
Butty | 8 years ago
0 likes

£39 of bubble wrap goes a long long long way

Avatar
DaveE128 replied to Butty | 8 years ago
0 likes

Butty wrote:

£39 of bubble wrap goes a long long long way

True, but you'd have to use quite a bit of tape to make it stay in place, so it would be a tonne of hassle putting it on the bike and taking it off again.

I don't think it's a bad idea - if I still used a boot rack I'd consider it.

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