rack system

[waterlilli]

Well ladies I need your help. I am looking for a better way to transport our bikes. So far I have tried two hitch mounted racks. One holds the bikes by the top tube, it swings forward and has lots of clearance, I would like it except for it trashes the bikes. the other hitch mount is a tray for the front tire. I like that it does not touch the frame, but it so low that we can not get over waterbars in the road without it hitting. I have also tried top of the car trays, and do not like them at all. I saw a really neat design in a magazine that was on a ford, but can not find it anywhere. So this is where your help is needed, what have you found to work well, maybe I just need a trailer?? Suggestions and opinions wanted.

[Jacqui C]

Waterlilli,

We've tried many racks, the best solution I have found is use a van! Your bikes don't get all the rubbish (salt and flies) from the road, no spinning freewheels wearing out bearings and no one can see what you are carrying and therefor less chance of theft.

The only really good rack I've used was a tandem specific one by Pendle bike racks in the UK. I know they also do racks for solo's so if they are as good at the tandem one, they should be pretty good. Only thing is I don't know if they export. But you could try thier web site.

http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/index.html

Jacqui.

[waterlilli]

Thank you! They have a trailer that is really nice. I requested information from them, so I will find out if they ship to the US. At least that gives me an idea about a trailer.

[hibiscus09]

I carry mine around in the back of a Pathfinder.

[DoubleLori]

A pick-up bar, e.g. Yakima, works well in pickup trucks. For the interior of SUVs or vans, you can get something similar that allows you to secure the front fork to a quick-release mechanism. I have one of these too, but I forgot what it is called. I think Nashbar or Colorado Cyclist sells them.

[waterlilli]

The pick up bars would be nice for local rides, but we go on riding vacations and the back is stuffed with camping gear and the top has kayaks, or raft. It would be a lot eaiser on the bikes to have then inside the truck.

[Trek420]

I have a Yakima trunk rack, it's the only one that works well on my car which has a spoiler. But I'm thinking more about a roof rack, I'd feel better about having my baby on the roof or somewhere safe.

I read here that trashes the bike? Is that from flying debris or the rack itself. Trailer hitch rack is not a good option, my car is so low.

[Irulan]

I've got too many racks. For our SUV, we have a hitch mounted beefy 2" reciever Hollywood rack.. we could take it 4 wheeling and it would still be stable. Note- on hitch racks you really need to stabilize the wheels so that the bikes don't swing, this rack has that built in.

I have 14 year old yakima trays on top of my subaru, not recommended for taller vehicles.

I have two strap on racks, the $12 gargae sale special is incredibly stable.

You can get roof rack "bras" to protect the paint but I don't worry about it with mountain bikes.

Irulan

[Trek420]

I've had no problems since this but once, with a loaner bike from the shop, I went over a traffic-calming bump and 2 of the 4 straps for the rack came off, the front wheel of the bike slammed into the pavement, nothing broken but seriously out of alignment.

I thought I was going very slow at the time. LBS was very forgiving ;-)

Since getting the new bike I'm giving a roof rack some serious thought, the reason I did not get one before is I'm short and thought it would be a problem. One of the gals at my club has a trailer hitch rack affixed to her Miata. Looks funny but works well and she's more verticly challenged than I am

[spazzdog]

I drive a Jeep Wrangler, so I use a spare tire rack. It rides high on the spare so the bike wheels are about the same level as the bumper.

I strap my wheels to the forks with velcro straps to prevent spinning. The Wrangler is a pretty rough ride, but the bike is very stable on this rack.

Allen makes all kinds. Here's the website:
http://www.allenracks.com/

Good luck!

[veekcee]

We use a Hollywood hitch rack for 4 bikes. Most of the time we are only hauling 2 bikes so we have ample space between the bike's and they don't touch each other. When we have all 4 bikes, we cut pipe insulation and wrap the areas that touch. Works great!

[pedalfaster]

Mini-vans are the way to go if you have more than one bike or a tandem in your bike-stable.

It's so nice to have your bike(s) inside, out of the elements and safe if you stop off to eat. Vans also make great pre/post race changing-rooms and you can sleep in them in a pinch.

[Veronica]

We carry our tandem in the back of a pick up truck in a bed fork mount. The truck's not very comfortable for long trips. The tandem barely fits with both wheels off and the captain's handlebars turned in the back of a Forrester. I can get Fluffy in the back with no problem.

We also have Yakima King Cobras for the top of the Forrester. They work okay. I'm a little short (or the Forrester is a little tall!) so I carry an old smoke grenade case as a step. The problem with the racks is that the part that cinches around the front tire has a tendency to loosen up. On the drive to Wyoming we stopped every couple of hours for gas, food or bathrooms so it worked okay. They never loosened enough that the bikes were in any danger. But I wonder what would happen on more bumpy roads. The bikes also got lots of bugs on them, so I want to look into covers before doing another long road trip. They do lock so I felt pretty comfortable leaving the car to go eat. Of course I always managed to get a table where I could see the bikes. Would have hated to ruin our trip.

We can add a tandem topper to it if we want.

The truck has about another year until it gets replaced. We'll get another pick up with a little more power and a CD player so it will be better for longer rides. A pick up is just too useful for yard work and carrying the mast of our sailboat.



Veronica

[Irulan]

Here's how my friends do it, a trick learned in Canada. Big rubber mats help.

~I

[Trek420]

Veronica "The problem with the racks is that the part that cinches around the front tire has a tendency to loosen up....."

Once on 101 I raced to pull alongside two guys their bikes were nearly at 45 degree angles. Picture me driving making "pointing upwards" motions. They got it and pulled over. Other than that I've never seen a loose roof rack.

"They do lock so I felt pretty comfortable leaving the car to go eat. Of course I always managed to get a table where I could see the bikes. Would have hated to ruin our trip. "

Inside a truck with a camper shell is the the best way to go. I've had stuff stolen off the bike (water bottles, tire pump) with bikes in the back of a camper shell. I can't see (or afford) just getting a new car to better haul the bike right now tempting though it is.

Guess this is how you know you're hooked, when you pick your next car by how it'll be hauling the bike or adding a rack.