What do you look for when you are buying a new car? Horsepower? Fuel economy? Paint color? The first thing I look for in a new vehicle is the bicycle hauling capacity (seldom listed in the owner’s manual). If you made the mistake of buying a car that will not support a trailer hitch bike rack, or at least one that has folding seats, then you are probably going to have to take the front wheel off your bike and transport it in your back seat—in which case you need to get a White Lightning Chain Johnny to protect the interior of your car.
White Lightning Chain Johnny
The White Lightning Chain Johnny slips over the drivetrain of your bike (front rings, rear cogs, chain, and front and rear derailleurs) to protect your car’s interior from grease and oil stains, and it also keeps your gears and derailleurs from snagging the carpet or seat fabric. The Chain Johnny is made of a rip-resistant, 2-ply rubber/nylon material and is held in place by Velcro closures. This product should fit all road and mountain bikes.
White Lightning Chain Johnny
The folks at White Lighting sent me a Chain Johnny for review and I did use it and can tell you it works exactly as advertised. It only takes a minute to slip the cover over your drivetrain, and even less to take it off. Since I have a trailer hitch bike rack for my Jeep I didn’t need the Chain Johnny myself, so after using it for a few weeks I gave it to another cyclist who normally just threw an old blanket in his back of his car to protect his seats—now with the Chain Johnny he has better protection with a lot less effort.
The White Lightning Chain Johnny retails for $20 and if your local bike shop does not have it in stock they will gladly order it for you. I also found this product listed on Amazon.com for $18, but it was through one of their associate merchants and they wanted $5 extra for postage. By the way, when this product was first introduced it was known as the Chain Condom (a funny name, but maybe not the best marketing decision).
billgncs
August 13, 2012 at 8:03 AM
what a good idea
All Seasons Cyclist
August 13, 2012 at 10:41 AM
If you don’t have a trailer hitch bike rack you really need this cover. In fact, even with a bike rack you could use it to keep road debris off your drivetrain while transporting your bike.
loren24250Loren Chudy
August 13, 2012 at 9:03 AM
It looks like you have to remove the pedals, or at least the one on the drive train side. Is that right?
All Seasons Cyclist
August 13, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Great news — you don’t have to remove anything! The Chain Johnny slides over the drivetrain and is held in place with Velcro — it literally takes one minute (or less) to put it on.
aishaloveslife
August 13, 2012 at 12:10 PM
I can’t wait to start cycling on the Seawall in Vancouver!! Any tips for a beginner’s first bike!
All Seasons Cyclist
August 13, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Best tip: If you are going to buy a new bike get it from a real LOCAL bike shop — don’t even think about buying anything at Walmart or Target — it will save you a LOT of heartache in the future. Your local bike shop can help you find a bike that is comfortable and actually fits you. Second, get a good helmet, cycling gloves and a pair of Lycra cycling shorts (the chamois in the short will make you a lot more comfortable during AND after the ride). Ride safely!
aishaloveslife
August 13, 2012 at 12:10 PM
(The only bike I ever had was one that had broken gears so my whole life I assumed biking was very hard)
Chuck Huss
August 13, 2012 at 5:34 PM
Great idea. Never new something like that existed. Thanks.
All Seasons Cyclist
August 13, 2012 at 6:08 PM
Glad I could help — I am always looking for new cycling products to review!
dw64
August 20, 2012 at 9:12 PM
Sometimes I travel by car. Or sometimes I go see my friends to a city by bike, drink some beer and come back carrying a bike (I don’t know about the US but in Japan if you put it in a special carry back for bike, you can ride on a train). Every time I do that I take great care about chain and the main section. This looks great. I’ll think about getting one.
All Seasons Cyclist
August 20, 2012 at 9:35 PM
You will like this — it only takes a few seconds to put it on.