Carrying the bike in the back of the car

[thekarens]

I'm going to start bringing my bike to work with me and stop at a local park on the way home. The bike will need to go in the back of my Rav. I don't have a bike carrier yet, but I'd still put it in the back because frankly I wouldn't trust the bike being on the back of my car all day while I'm in the office.

I'm going to have to lay the bike on it's side with the backseat down. Are ther any precautions I should take or any particular way I should be putting it in? I'm guessing it's better if the chain side is up.

[ny biker]

I transport my bike in the back of my car (Prius) all the time. It could fit with both wheels on, but I find it easier to maneuver if I remove the front wheel. I put it fork-first with the drivetrain side up. Someone recently told me it would be easier to handle if I put the rear wheel in first, but I haven't tried that yet.

It you take either wheel off, make sure you remember to put everything in the car before you drive off. A friend once left her front wheel behind after removing it to put her bike inside the car. Fortunately it was still sitting where she left it when she went back to look for it. I always check around all sides of the car before closing the hatchback, just to make sure I haven't left anything on the ground.

Another thing I've learned is to avoid wearing light-colored clothing, especially pants, if I'm going to be getting the bike in and out of the car while wearing street clothes. It's easy to get your clothes dirty while handling the bike, especially while you're still getting used to lifting it in and out of the car.

[Trek-chick]

I always do chain side up.

One mistake I made was letting the handle bars and brake on the front end bang on the side of the frame, when it swung over itself, on some bumpy roads. Of course, I did not know it until I stopped but, I had a nice chip in the paint from it.

Now, I cover her up with a blanket

[OakLeaf]

Here's a video I made a couple of years ago of loading my bike into my Prius. I've had a friend's 57 cm road bike in that car as well, so it isn't only small bikes that will fit.

My flat bar fat tire hybrid won't go with the front wheel on. Too much stuff sticking perpendicular to each other. Still, either bike goes in easier rear wheel first, as shown, so you can steer it directly in without trying to keep the forks from flopping.


When you take the bike out, check your quick-releases - I've had them come loose once or twice from inattentive loading/unloading. And just like parking the bike, if you have a wireless cadence or wheel sensor, make sure it's not inline with the pickup so you don't drain the battery.

[thekarens]

Might have to get creative with the clothing. I wear khakis to work. In theory I could put the bike in the night before, but I don't want to inspire a thief since my car doesn't live in the garage. Maybe put the bike in before I get dressed in the morning. :-)

The blanket is an excellent suggestion. We have a few spare I could use.

[szsz]

In theory I could put the bike in the night before, but I don't want to inspire a thief since my car doesn't live in the garage.

I have locked my bike inside my car to a grab bar when having it in the car overnight.

Also, maybe a sheet (or tablecloth) instead of a blanket: Easier to manage.

[ny biker]

I never leave my bike in the car overnight.

I cover the bike with a blanket that is the same color as my car interior, so you can see there's something lumpy in there but you don't know what it is.

The first year I had the car, I had a vinyl shower curtain under the bike to protect the car from dirt. After a while the shower curtain got some holes in it, so I tossed it and since then I don't put anything down. I haven't had a problem since then with dirt inside the car.

The blanket that covers the bike, however, has plenty of grease stains on it.

[thekarens]

Well, it wasn't pretty, but I managed to wrangle it in with only one spot on my pants. My bike is on the heavy side so I think next time I'll have my partner help me. I ended up putting it 3/4 of the way in and then pulling it the rest of the way in. I'm not sure how I feel about it resting on the pedal and handle bar. I'm assuming that's ok.

[szsz]

The other thing I do: I have a nylon re-usable shopping bag positioned so that when I put the bike in the back, the front tire lands on it and I can slide it all forward.

This helps!

[thekarens]

Ohhh, thanks for the video. Very helpful!

[Kubla]

I have a Rav4 as well, and also transport my bike inside the car. I always place it on its side (chain-side up), and prefer to set it in the car backwards. It takes me an extra minute or so to position it and back it into place, but taking it out is much easier for me. My rear windows are tinted, but I still cover the bike with a flannel sheet so it isn't so visible. (Hopefully it doesn't look like a body...)

[Kubla]

Muirenn, that's a good point. I've personally never carried my bikes on a really hot day, but have wondered how the extreme interior heat would affect the tires and/or other parts of the bike. Thank you for mentioning it.

[pumpkinpony]

I don't think you mentioned if it's a mountain or road bike... If mountain you might think about a mat or protector for the car, as you can end up with quite a bit of dirt after a slightly muddy ride! I have a piece of canvas cut to fit the back of my Santa Fe. It goes in nice and easy chain side up. I have learned to be careful loading it, so I can load with my khaki's and not get dirty.

BTW I have had helmets start to melt over 100F. Maybe they were already partly defective, but the foam just started melting for lack of a better word. It looked really weird. The bike store guy was impressed when I took it in and asked if I should replace it... (yes) So I take my helmet inside with me now if it's going to be much over 85-90 outside.

[Penny4]

I always put mine in the back of the car, chain up, rear wheel in first.

I have really light interior, so I put an old sheet in the back of the car. I don't have to worry about wet, dirty tires marking up the back.

Also, I kind of wrap the edges of the sheet over the handle bars and tires and it seems to help the bike from shifting around when I go around a corner, or if i stop short.

[thekarens]

My bike is a mountain bike. Road bike in the spring hopefully :-)