Price: $145
Dimensions: 8.86’ L x 3.35’ W (270 x 102cm)
Weight: 6.6 lbs (3kg)
Material: Water-resistant, UV-resistant
Fits Cars: Fits virtually any car
Fits Bicycle: Suitable for most bikes
Availability: Online or retail
How Obtained: Company sample
RBR Advertiser: No
Protect Your Ride: Bicycle and Car
When I’m alone and transporting my bicycle, I prefer to keep it inside my Toyota Highlander SUV. The bike stays cleaner and safer than on a hitch rack. As you might recall, I had two bikes stolen from a hitch rack. For years, I’ve used a ratty old blanket with a rubber backing to protect the floor of the car. Unfortunately, the blanket failed to protect the bumper and sides from getting dirty and scratched. More times than I want to admit, I’ve scratched the bumper while loading or unloading the bike. The flat pedals with spikes on my MTB are the worst offender. However, the problem was solved by installing Hiplok’s Ride Shield Bike and Car Protector. A game changer, and I wish I had it when the Highlander was new.
Easy Installation
Installing Ride Shield was quick and straightforward. Simply unfold the mat, secure it with the two elastic straps around the car’s headrests to prevent shifting, and attach the protector wings to the side using Velcro. The wings are designed to protect the sides of the car’s interior from dirt and scratches, giving you one less thing to worry about.
Ride Shield protects the interior of nearly any size car or SUV, offering many unique benefits. One of my favorite features is the padded bumper protector. The end of the mat flips down to cover the bumper, allowing for the loading and unloading of a bike without worrying about scratches. Plus, it provides protection when leaning a bike against the bumper. The extra padding also makes it more comfortable to sit on the end of the bumper to change your shoes after a ride. Other key features of the Ride Shield include a security cover that hides the bike from view. The black cover blends into my SUV’s black interior, making it virtually impossible to see what’s underneath. When not in use, the security cover rolls up and stores behind the headrests.
Hiplok also designed the Ride Shield with a large storage pocket for a wheel, tools, or accessories. If removing the front wheel is necessary to fit your bike into the car, the large storage pocket keeps the wheel safe and prevents the frame from being scratched.
Not all rides are in dry, sunny conditions. With Ride Shield’s water-resistant material, it’s perfect for protecting the car’s interior from mud or snow. I’m excited to use it after a snowy fat bike ride this winter.
Bottom Line
The Hiplok Ride Shield’s thick, padded mat protects the interior and bumper of your car and bike from dirt and scratches. At $145, this mat is durable and functional for virtually any type of car, SUV, or bike.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.