Mountain Biking - Best way to transport bike with vehicle

How do you guys perfer to transport your bike by vehicle? I am pretty sure I am going to go with the trailer hitch set up over bike rack on roof what are your thoughts?

In the bed of my truck, under a locked cap.

Last year I would have said roof. But a couple of months ago I finally did it: close encounter with a parking garage in Bellingham - - oops. Subaru's back out of the body shop and I used the insurance money from the destroyed roof rails to buy a receiver hitch. I already have a Thule hitch rack, so everything will go on the back now.

There are advantages/disdvantages to both:
Roof: Wind noise sometimes; bikes pick up a ton of bugs; overhead clearance issues if you're forgetful like me :o
Back: If you live on a dirt road, or travel them much, the bike gets filthier than when it's being ridden; if you ever get rear-ended, there go the bikes too.

dminor about sums it up.

I like to carry in the back of my minivan, protected from all.

After crunching two bikes in a roof rack and someone crunching a bike on my receiver hitch by backing into it, I pull the front wheel and slip my bike into the back of my hatchback. Being inside the vehicle prevents all sorts of problems (I know that doesn't work for everyone).

I like to carry in the back of my minivan, protected from all.

Yes but minivan not protected from post-ride mud... :D

I carry mine in the minivan with my dad, but it's really really tough fitting his XC bike and my DH bike in the back. Plus, my mom is not too happy about the major marks the handlebars have made on the ceiling of her car :p

I keep saying we should buy a trailer hitch, which is what we'll do after this last trip. Way too much of a hassle to get em in there.

Don't buy a roof rack; my uncle's had some issues with them. He had used one for about a month and a half or so when he hit a bump and the bike actually unclamped and fell down. He wasn't going very fast, but he scratched the crap out of the side of his car and had to replace a lot of parts on his bike. Plus, getting a bike on the roof rack seems kinda hard.

Yes but minivan not protected from post-ride mud... :D
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I use a roof rack - I like it, it's easy, keeps the mud out of the car, AND I don't park in the garage or use drive-thru's when I have a bike up there (race days, mostly). But sometimes, we toss the bike in the back of the outback (it fits with the back seat down). I like the Cobra rack (leave front wheel on) better than the copperhead types where the bike is fork mounted. I've never used a hitch-mount, but have used trunk racks, which were ok, but a pain to put on the car.

Yes but minivan not protected from post-ride mud...


*some silly product link*

Nah, I prefer to use the crappy old van method. Mud just hides the stains on the upholstery.

My biggest headache about searching for a new car is finding one that matches the mud & dust on my road. Why don't car companies paint cars mud colored?

Mount QR fork clamps onto a 2x4 cut to the same width as the inside of your truck or minivan. Leave the rear wheel attached and clamp the forks, similar to what would be done if the bikes were on the roof. It's the best way that I've seen to transport bicycles on a van or truck yet...plus it can be removed in less than five seconds.

Nah, I prefer to use the crappy old van method. Mud just hides the stains on the upholstery.
Don't look at me, I use a trunk rack

Back of my truck, no tailgate (it broke off...), some bungee cords, and some packing quilts. As long as it doesn't fall out, I'm happy :D

I turn the front bike tire 90 degrees and hang it over the tailgate of my truck. Front tire is outside the truck and the rest of the bike is in the box. The bike magically stands on its own (even when going around corners). I do use 1 tiedown just to be safe.

I also use pipe insulation on the frame and fork where the bike contacts the truck to stop the truck from getting scratched.

i have a fork mount on the bedrails of my pickup .. the bike sits sideways in the bed.. I would have done it facing forward, but I have a toolbox there and I would have to leave the gate down. The front wheel rides shotgun, unless it's got smelly mud on it then it goes in the back to roll around.

The best thing about a hitch mount is that you can put the bike on in 5 seconds and drive away. I have appreciated this when returning from a ride later than expected.

I prefer the roof mounts or inside the car because it's atually locked to the car

My bike fits the the back of a toyota matrix and you can still fit 4 people comfortably

In the bed of my truck, under a locked cap.

Similar... no bed cap, but I carry the bike in the bed, bungeed to the rails. I'll run the cable lock through the metal loops in the bed if I have to leave the bike in the truck.

My biggest headache about searching for a new car is finding one that matches the mud & dust on my road. Why don't car companies paint cars mud colored?Haha. But they do really. What about the plethora of bland beige-gold Toyata Camrys running around? Borrrrring!

I went the other way - - decideng that I wanted the color I wanted even though it's going to be filthy 90% of the time. So we have a dark blue Legacy and a black Outback - - both with clay highlights :)

White's supposed to be the dirt-road color of choice; believe it or not shows dirt less than any other color.

After crunching two bikes in a roof rack and someone crunching a bike on my receiver hitch by backing into it, I pull the front wheel and slip my bike into the back of my hatchback. Being inside the vehicle prevents all sorts of problems (I know that doesn't work for everyone).

+1

Yes but minivan not protected from post-ride mud... :D


not a problem with my honda element

Trunk rack for the Corolla.

Hollywood swing away hitch rack for the Suburban.

i use the Bell Universal Trunk mount rack on my SUV...no complaints at all...very sturdy and its small enough to where i can leave it on all the time.

I had a trailer hitch installed on my accord, it works for me.

Are there any single-bike trunk racks out there? All I can seem to find are racks for a minimum of two bikes.