Transporting a Lightning Stealth?

[rjacob]

I bought a Lightning Stealth recumbent over the weekend on eBay ($280). This is my first recumbent. I am trying to figure out how to transport the bike. I have a Bell trunk mounted rack that I have used on the back of my Honda Civic for my other bikes. But I don't think it work for the Lightning.

I don't have rails or anything for a roof rack. I also don't have a hitch mounted, though I have considered getting one installed.

Whats the best, or most economical route to go for transporting my new recumbent on my car?

http://www.bicyclebikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/lightning-stealth.jpg

[JanMM]

I haul my RANS Tailwind (CLWB) on a garden-variety Graber rack on the back of my Ford Escort. Sticks out a bit on the sides.
I'll bet you could hang your bike on a typical rack.
That looks like a really great $280 'bent.

[rjacob]

I haul my RANS Tailwind (CLWB) on a garden-variety Graber rack on the back of my Ford Escort. Sticks out a bit on the sides.
I'll bet you could hang your bike on a typical rack.
That looks like a really great $280 'bent.

I started playing with building a rack, and came up with some cool ideas. But out of curiousity, I tried to put the bent on my Bell trunk mounted (2 bike) rack, and it did work. I will only be able to carry the single bike. It sits awkwardly, but I think it will be safe. It is a bit top heavy, but I may add a bungee cord to keep it from moving around.

Thanks,
RJ

[JanMM]

Bungee cords, toe straps, etc. should stabilize things.

[rjacob]

Bungee cords, toe straps, etc. should stabilize things.

Toe straps?

[rjacob]

With regards to your Lightning, I seriously would have it checked for microfractures in the tubing below and behind the seat and also the rear wheel stays. I had a serious problem with them when I had my Lightning Thunderbolt. The frame is pretty well standard for all of their lines and they don't build the frames in-house.

I just checked the frame, and everything looks fine. I will keep an eye on it.

[BlazingPedals]

I had one frame almost break in two while coasting down a hill and I almost crashed. I got off the recumbent just in time so I saved it from breaking apart completely and I was lucky that somebody had a portable welder close by. Lightning gave me another frame and that cracked in another place. They did some extra welding on the third and final frame that I got from them and just 300 miles down the road microfractures started up again in a spot beyond the welding. I had to stop at a farm machinery repair store to have it emergency welded.

How much do you weigh? While tales of P-38s cracking at the head tubes are legion, (As Tim Brummer once wrote, he builds them for light weight and speed, not longevity,) Thunderbolts are built heavier and yours is the only one I've heard of breaking.

[JanMM]

Toe straps?

Anybody who used to use toe clips has toe straps hanging around waiting to be useful again.

[martianone]

I rode a Thunderbolt several thousand km, didn't have any issues with the frame.
transported it in the back of my pick up- made sort of a bike holder with a section
of 2" plastic pipe bisected the long way to put the wheels in, then secured it with
a pair of tie down ratchet straps.
Also transported it on the back of my spouse's care with a T2 transport rack, I have
an older model made before Thule bought them out. My HPV StreetMachine also fits
nicely in this rack. This past summer I got a Thule InstaGater for the pickup,
which has nicely transported ever bike i've tried in it- the StreetMachine, various
mountain bikes, my youngster's 20" wheel bike and a CrossCheck with 42x622
tires; handiest "bike rack" i've tried.

[rjacob]

I transported the Lightning Stealth to a group ride this morning using my Bell trunk rack. The bike was a bit top heavy on the rack compared to an upright so I secured it was a bungee cord. It worked out great. Very solid.

Thanks all! :)

[bookishboy]

I transported a Lightning Stealth in the back of my Hyundai Accent. Open back hatch, seats down..... it was a tight fit, but it worked, and I only had to drive it a few miles.

[Pupsocket]

I transport my compact LWB Sun EZ1-SC on a Yakima hatchback rack inverted. Except for the wheels, the rest is behind the car. If I hauled it upright, a considerable amount of seat and handlebars would be above the roof in the airflow.

I use a cable lock through the rear wheel as a theft deterrent, and snug up the chain with a nylon cinch strap that also secures the handlebars from flopping left-right.

http://www.stcroixap.rchomepage.com/images/0679.jpg