Carrying the bike in the back of the car

[MichelleOH]

I can't help as I don't have a Rav or a mountain bike, but just noticed we both used the "Birder" tag line. I just added mine last week, so you probably had yours first. I'll be happy to change it....

[thekarens]

I can't help as I don't have a Rav or a mountain bike, but just noticed we both used the "Birder" tag line. I just added mine last week, so you probably had yours first. I'll be happy to change it....

Nope, don't change it. All birders are family And for that matter you could very well have had it first.

One of my big concerns with getting a mountain bike was that I may try paying more attention to the birds than trail. Birders are known for sudden inexplicable stops. I was trying to figure out the best place to keep my bins and camera

[MichelleOH]

Yes, carrying bins and camera at the ready are tough on ANY bike, but I'm sure easier on my MUP. I'm going to put a rack and trunk on mine. They won't be handy, but maybe that's a GOOD thing.

[Skierchickie]

I haven't seen anyone mention this yet, but grease isn't the only reason to put the bike in chain side up. If you put that side down, you risk damaging the drivetrain (if you bend the derailleur hanger, your shifting will get screwed up).

I put mine in rear wheel first, too.

[Penny4]

I'm just laughing as I remember the first bike a bought a few years ago...a Diamondback comfort bike that weighed a ton.

I wheeled it out of the store, and tried every which way to get it in the back of my car. I could barely lift it. It was the middle of summer and I was drenched in sweat, grease all over me and the car.
I haaaaated that bike right then and there.

Now I can get my road bike in the back in one swift movement.

[ny biker]

If the bike is dirty after a ride, like yesterday when I was riding on a wet rail-trail after heavy rain, I wipe it down before putting it in the car.

I keep a roll of paper towel in the back of the car all the time. Also a box of tissues and a plastic bag in the corner that serves as a trash bag.

[Desert Tortoise]

An old towel or blanket on the bottom helps keep mud and grease off the car. But they can fold up and move around if you are not careful.

Another option is to buy a outdoor mat that is cut to size at the hardware store. Its thin but doesn't fold on you and not terribly expensive if you look around. Also easier to pull out and shake out dried mud, hose down if needed.

[Jiffer]

My friend has a RAV. She takes the front wheel off and lays the bike in the back. I put my bike in the back of my car all the time, with wheel on. Definitely put the chain side out. That's about it.

[Pedal Wench]

I have fork mounts attached to a piece of wood lying in the back of the Rav. Front wheel off, rear wheel rolls over wood and fork attaches to mount. Easy breezy, and takes less than a minute. http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...301730__400172

[thekarens]

I have fork mounts attached to a piece of wood lying in the back of the Rav. Front wheel off, rear wheel rolls over wood and fork attaches to mount. Easy breezy, and takes less than a minute. http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...301730__400172

So, does this mean the bike is upright? If so, how do you keep it from falling over? I can see how the fork mount keeps the front of the bike from tipping, but what about the rear?

[fetchspot]

"I have fork mounts attached to a piece of wood lying in the back of the Rav. Front wheel off, rear wheel rolls over wood and fork attaches to mount. Easy breezy, and takes less than a minute."

is there any way to attach the board to the seat-cleats in the floor in a van? I would like the bike to be more stable in case of quick stop.

fs

[pumpkinpony]

"I have fork mounts attached to a piece of wood lying in the back of the Rav. Front wheel off, rear wheel rolls over wood and fork attaches to mount. Easy breezy, and takes less than a minute."

is there any way to attach the board to the seat-cleats in the floor in a van? I would like the bike to be more stable in case of quick stop.

fs

if you have carpet in the back, just put velcro on the underside of the board. works great! I have a board like that and don't use it unless I need to carry two or three bikes, as my car is too short... I have to let the bike seat down, and on the mountain bike I have to compress the front shock to get it in. Believe me that is not going anywhere once it is in! It leaves nice impressions on the ceiling too...

[Pedal Wench]

"I have fork mounts attached to a piece of wood lying in the back of the Rav. Front wheel off, rear wheel rolls over wood and fork attaches to mount. Easy breezy, and takes less than a minute."

is there any way to attach the board to the seat-cleats in the floor in a van? I would like the bike to be more stable in case of quick stop.

fs

I used to worry about it, but the it really doesn't slide around too much. The board sits right behind the wheel wells, so it can't slide all the way forward. With two bikes, the weight also helps keep it from moving.

[Pedal Wench]

Yup - bikes are upright, and once clamped by the fork, won't/can't tip over, unless the board with the fork mounts is tiny - one that goes across the lenght of the back is impossible to tip.

So, does this mean the bike is upright? If so, how do you keep it from falling over? I can see how the fork mount keeps the front of the bike from tipping, but what about the rear?

[thekarens]

Yup - bikes are upright, and once clamped by the fork, won't/can't tip over, unless the board with the fork mounts is tiny - one that goes across the lenght of the back is impossible to tip.

Thanks for pic. That's very helpful. We bought two fork mounts yesterday. When you take the bike out of the car do you just put it upside down on the ground to tl put the wheel back on?