Folding Bikes - Downtube mishap

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hbob
06-12-06, 10:28 PM
I was so proud of my ability to save money by being able to fold the handlebars of our Downtubes
down while commuting on the ferry (we live on an island and the
ferries charge an overheight surcharge if you are over 7'6"). But I was driving
this weekend and one of the bikes fell right off the truck and tumbled down the road.
Fortunately I noticed it and was able to retrieve it. The rack was defective.
The bike only sustained a broken mirror and mangled bar end caps. I hated
the mirror I had anyway. I ordered a new Cat Eye mirror and am now searching
for a pair of end caps for my bar ends.... any ideas?
I attached a photo of the bikes on the rack, before the FS fell off.

dalmore
06-13-06, 12:47 AM
I always knew those bikes could fly!! ;)

Glad no serious damage occured - sounds like everything will be ok.

Is that a tonneau cover under that rack setup? how's that work? I'd love to have a rack like that over my cover.
14R
06-13-06, 12:57 AM
The rack was defective.

I believe that is your way to find your caps (if not a lot more).

Local Bike shops usually have a bucket full of those, just ask, it may be a buck or 2.

Good luck,

Rafael

rdh
06-13-06, 08:36 AM
I agree that the rack looks cool, but wouldn't it be a lot safer if the bikes were folded and underneath the tonneau cover?
hbob
06-13-06, 08:48 AM
The bike did not so much fly as it cartwheeled. Fortunately the derailleur did not hit anything.
However, I am waiting for that to happen so I have an excuse to get an internal gear hub on the rear.

The underside of the tonneau is full of our gear for the trip. That is where I squeezed the FS
after the rack opened up. I have since replaced the defective rack (It is 8 years old and installed its second truck) When two bikes are on the rack it is a little bit hard to lift the lid, but it has some air shock assisted
arms that hold it up.
The rack bars came with the tonneau which is an insulated metal lid made by Gemtop and the base bars
are made by ProRack. The bike rack attachments are Yakima Rack. It can also be fitted with ski racks etc.
hbob
06-13-06, 08:50 AM
I agree that the rack looks cool, but wouldn't it be a lot safer if the bikes were folded and underneath the tonneau cover?
Yes, but I think they look cool on top.