General Cycling Discussion - How do you transport your bike?

What is everyone's opinion about carrying your bike in your vehicle? My husband and I just bought an Acura MDX, and there is an available accessory to mount our bikes inside the car - just by removing the front wheel. My only concern is about how dirty it will get the seats after we're finished riding, so I don't know if I should spend the money on that or just get a rack for the rear. If we used the inside mount, we would not have to worry too much about theft - but is it worth it? I would like to hear opinions from people who ride a lot - we just got into it, so we don't know a whole lot about it yet.

kgilkerson: Welcome to the forums! I own a Nissan Xterra and they also have a similar setup as the MDX has. I elected to go with a receiver hitch rack. The primary reason is I can buy an extension for the rack and can carry another two bikes if I want. This would allow me to carry 4 bikes, passengers and gear. With keeping the bikes inside I could only carry 1 passenger and two bikes.

One of these days I may make my own indoor rack system for the bikes. I have the idea for it in my head, I just need to construct it.

As far as getting the seats dirty - come on, its an SUV it's supposed to get dirty! :) Seriously though, just buy a small tarp and put it down before you put the bikes into the back of the vehicle.

Zack

I have a set up similar to the one you pictured in my Explorer, I also have a 2 bike hitch rack from Hollywood racks. I use the hitch rack the most. I only use the interior on when I want to bring 3 bikes and 2 other people.
The hitch rack is much easier and quicker. I do not have to remove the wheels. With the model I have I the only place the rack touches the bikes are the wheels and the seat post.

I have a rack that goes on the spare tire of my 95 Rodeo. Still don't have 100% confidence in it so I just put the bike inside the back w\the seats down. The place I ride has a washing station so you can hose it down before putting your bike in your vehicle. A little dirt\water never hurt an SUV. Heck, my nephews do a lot worse than my dirty bike!

on my grand cherokee, i didn't want to have to worry about clearance, so roof rack was out. keeping it inside takes away the rear seats. so i opted for the hitch rack. i've got a yakima that holds 4 bikes right out of the box. it drops down in a cinch when i need to open the back up. the only way to go for me.

I bought 2 quick release holders for the front wheel,
mounted them on a 1x6 board and presto, instant rack inside
the SUV (yeah yeah, I know. . . ).
The bikes are safe from rocks, dirt, being rear ended
by some yahoo (I live in Dallas area, read the thread
about the drivers here), and from casual theft.
If you're worried about dirt in the new vehicle put
a drop cloth, tarp etc. on the cargo area and put
the rack on top of it.

Zack, most shops sell the holder, they're about $16 each.
I'm attaching a pic of the Yakima Blockhead, same idea.

Marty

Fortunately I have three options: roof rack, rec. hitch rack, or inside my Trooper. If it's just me I usually just throw it inside the truck. If it's a group of us then I can accomodate eight bikes (but only five people) and all the approprite gear. Throwing a bike inside is really easy. I purchased one of those rubber floor protectors so even if it's my muddy mtn bike it's no problem.

My wife and I just faced the same dilema with out 2003 Grand Caravan. Dodge has hardware (and relatively cheaply) to carry the bikes inside. We considered it but in the end decided losing cargo space for other gear or passengers plus the dirt factor outweighed the lower cost and added security. We opted for the Hollywood Teamrider hitch rack. It's pricey (in my opinion) as far as racks go but we are completely happy with it. It's easier for my wife to load than our old trunk mounted rack and very easy on paint - both the vans and the bikes.

How do I transport my bike? Why I ride it to where I'm going of course.

Dave
who got rid of his car in favor of his bike(s)

I just can't bring myself to put a filthy MTB or the front tire for that matter in my $40,000+ SUV. I have a receiver hitch rack. Plus, I don't have to take the front tire off at all.

well it is a Sports Utility Vehicle, ya know?
After the scuba equiptment with requisite sand and
water, and one German Shepard in a perpetual state
of blowing coat, whats a little mud?
(anyhow I'm a devoted roadie so mud isn't really that
much of an issue). :lol:

Marty

I just picked up my brand new Hardrock Comp on Monday, and carried it home on the back of my MAZDASPEED using a Thule 3 bike trunk rack. It was a bit scary, considering I have never done it before. I actually stopped twice in my 20 mile journey home to check everything. I am going to get some bungy to hold the bike down to the rack, since it begins to lift at speeds approaching 40 mph or so.

The rack was given to me, and considering I saved about $100, I will keep it; and just be damned careful, making sure everything is secure.

Greg :beer:

Trunk rack ... but, it scares the heck out of me every time I put my wifes bike, and my bikes on it ...
a rear ender would suck for the bikes, who cares about the car.:eek:

My bikes fit in my Olds, when I go out alone.:D





Post edit :rolleyes:

Originally posted by velonuts
Trunk rack ... but, it scares the heck out of me every time I put my wife, and my bikes on it ...


:eek: :eek: :eek:

You put your wife on your trunk rack????

With your wife on the rack you should be able to fit the bikes in the car then, right.:D

Roof rack. We have a Audi A4 station wagon and the factory-installed rails are actually designed to hold stuff, unlike the just-for-show rails you see on some vehicles. Bikes on top + dog in the wayback+ my wife and I in the front = happy family.

Putting my wife on the rack works pretty well ... but her feet drag, and I can't afford a roof rack, because I'm always replacing her shoes.:lol: :lol: :roflmao: :lol: :lol:

Still can't get the bikes in the car though ...:D

Originally posted by lotek
I bought 2 quick release holders for the front wheel,
mounted them on a 1x6 board and presto, instant rack inside
the SUV (yeah yeah, I know. . . ).

<snip>

Zack, most shops sell the holder, they're about $16 each.
I'm attaching a pic of the Yakima Blockhead, same idea.



Hey Marty,

I'm going to take a route similar to your 1x6 board and holder like you included in your post. One extra thing I'm going to do is cut a slot into the board so that one of the tie down hooks in the floor can be extended through the board. I'll wedge a screw driver or something inbetween the board and the top of the hook. This should really keep things from moving around any.

I may have to try making it this weekend.

Zack

Originally posted by ZackJones
I'm going to take a route similar to your 1x6 board and holder like you included in your post. I may have to try making it this weekend.

Don't waste your time and money on a home built... Rhode Gear made a bed mount rack called the Truck Shuttle that Bell Sports (who bought out Rhode Gear several years ago) has been liquidating for almost a year. These things are fantastic rear cargo floor mount systems that will out last you....

Performance has the basic rack with four mounts for $89:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/cboProfile.cfm?SKU=14740&Store=Bike&CFID=9847144&CFTOKEN=34636058

However, Sierra Trading Post has the basic rack with two mounts for $25:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.ASP?wc=true&base_no=66129&str_base_no=66121,66127,66128,66129,66130,66936,66937,66939,66941,66942,66943,66944,66947,66948,6695 0,66951,66952,66953,66954,66955,&header_title=&page_name=prod_list_display&search_type=L1~403&size1=&size2=&gender=0&ShowImages=yes&sq=20&cont=1&sqlSearchStr=&intPgNo=2&special_type=

Performance sells extra mounts for $19 so if you needed four mounts, buy the rack from Sierra for $25, spend $40 at Performance at you're ahead of the game by about $14 (after shipping costs are factored in).
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=14641

Bottom Line: I've got two of the home built rack systems and the Rhode Gear Truck Shuttle... I wish I'd found the Shuttle first.

Zack,

Due to the height of my bikes I can wedge the bike in
(saddle to roof) and then use a box (carries spares, tools etc.)
between board and lip on tailgate. Nothing moves at all.
If you have retracting seatbelts for 3rd row, they make great
front wheel straps!

Velonuts, I always thought that a wife's feet had to be
at least 6 inches off the ground if carried on a trunk rack,
or was that only a statuate in New Brunswick?

Marty

Oh yea, I haul bikes and tandems around inside and/or on top of my Chevrolet K1500 Suburban.

On Top: http://home.att.net/~thetandemlink/articles/cartopping.html
Inside: http://home.att.net/~thetandemlink/articles/Cartopping/burbantote.jpg

Ref. my posting on the Rhode Gear Truck Shuttle, you'll note the home-builts are depicted inside the Suburban on the two-year old photos of the "inside" hauling methods. I have acquired the Rhode Gear product and it is far superior to my own mounts if only because of the ease with which they can be moved side to side.

NOTE: I recommend putting a tie-down strap on each end of the Rhode Gear or any other floor mount that connects it to your cargo ties to prevent any bikes from flying forward inside your vehicle in the event of an accident. It's bad enough to crash; it's just insulting to be hit in the back of your head by your own bicycles during the secondary crash that occurs inside of a vehicle involved in an accident.

If that deal at Sierra had been offered I'd do that.
Heck the 2 blockheads are more than the entire
rhode gear rack.

great deal, I may even buy one for me and
another for a christmas present
for my sister-in-law.

Marty

OK, I have a suv and I have roof racks, trailer hitch mount AND interior rack! I'm a Yak-head! All Yakima stuff.

For the MDX, a roof rack is too much of a hassle. The roof is too tall for you to access with any convienence.
I use the interior rack 90% of the time.
The hitch mount is ok but it gets in the way if you want to access the rear for other things (like dogs, groceries, excursions,etc). I only use the hitch for trips to races or when I need to fill up the inside.

I say go for the interior rack. If you road bike, inside will not get dirty. If you mtn. bike, buy a cargo area protector and you'll be ok.
The interior rack is non-intrusive, simple, hidden and secure.

Only by riding it :( No other way available, in fact, if I take it home from work, I have to somehow walk 25 miles back, to get the car... Pretty confusing.

It seems that the type of rack would also depend on the bike transported. I have a hitch mounted Thule. It slides back even with 4 bikes on it to open the rear van door/hatch. I also built a interior rack with a 1x6 and two mounts ($10 each at LBS). My Specialized Hardrocks go nicely on the hitch rack. The Serotta Legend Ti, however, is very comfortable inside (safe from evil elements). The tandem may travel either way.

NOTE: I recommend putting a tie-down strap on each end of the Rhode Gear or any other floor mount that connects it to your cargo ties to prevent any bikes from flying forward inside your vehicle in the event of an accident. It's bad enough to crash; it's just insulting to be hit in the back of your head by your own bicycles during the secondary crash that occurs inside of a vehicle involved in an accident.[/QUOTE]

I realize this is a really old post but I am looking into putting our bikes in the back of a Nissan Murano using the Rhode Gear Truck Shuttle. Since I don't believe there are any cargo ties, do you have any ideas for stabilizing it?

How do I transport my bike? Why I ride it to where I'm going of course.


Dang it, that's what I was going to say! Why wasn't that an option?

I throw it in the back of my ES YOU VEE!

The Force;)

The ride is over, pull up to my Eclipse, Open hatch, drape blanket across opening, QR front wheel, place on blanket, fold side of blanket over wheel, QR rear wheel, lean against bumper, place frame on blanket, fold other side of blanket over frame, place rear wheel on blanket, close hatch, drive to tavern, drink beer.

I have the yakima rear hatch trunk rack for my ford focus and other than a few annoying shakes once in a while it is working great...

Ever since the BiC pen issue came out I transport mine in this:
http://cybermark.he.net/~armored1/search/images/paside-89254.jpg

LOL, mount a couple sniper rifles and you'd be set.

I have used rear rack to carry my bikes. Several years ago I was rear-ended at a stop light - completely smashed my Trek 2300. The crunching sound of carbon fiber tubes sounded remarkably like bones breaking. I took the remains of my 2300 to my bike shop, where they wrote up a statement that the bike was "totaled" and reported the replacement value. At that time the pricing on Trek bikes had recently changed and I was able to upgrade. The guy's insurance paid for my car repairs and a new Trek 5200. So, it wasn't all bad...