Bicycle Mechanics - Bike in car: will this hurt cranks/pedals?

In order to get my girlfriend to and from school every day, I drive my car into town, and then use my bike on campus. The back seats of my sedan fold down, and if I remove its front wheel, it's really easy to put my road bike in the car. This is what I've been doing, because it's easier than a trunk rack and doesn't cost me anything.

I have wondered, though, whether this is good for the bike. Most of its weight seems to be resting on one pedal. I can't imagine the pedals - or, even more so, the cranks - are made to resist forces from the side like this. Am I worrying for nothing, or is there some danger to my cranks or pedals? Should I just buy a trunk rack instead?

Couple of pieces of styrofoam under the frame and drive side up.

I have wondered, though, whether this is good for the bike. Most of its weight seems to be resting on one pedal. I can't imagine the pedals - or, even more so, the cranks - are made to resist forces from the side like this. Am I worrying for nothing, or is there some danger to my cranks or pedals? Should I just buy a trunk rack instead?

I think if your crank, bottom bracket and pedals can't take a side loading of around 25lbs. then you might want to reconsider riding it. I've transported my bike like this often and I don't believe it will cause a problem.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/2003STP-1/PICT0001.jpg

you might want something to brace the fork legs so they dont get bent.

I think if your crank, bottom bracket and pedals can't take a side loading of around 25lbs. then you might want to reconsider riding it. I've transported my bike like this often and I don't believe it will cause a problem.

http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/2003STP-1/PICT0001.jpg

Agree laying a bike on it's side doesn't create any significant loads.....how could it? I carry my bike inside this way all the time. In fact, I folded down the seat and test-loaded it on the lot before buying my car just to be sure it would fit.

Don't loose sleep over something like this......your bike gets a heck of alot more abuse simply from riding....... just ride....

George

Frankly, I'd say your bike is much safer than it would be on a trunk rack.

Very good to hear! The fork is very safe, as I turn the bars so that it slants away from the seats and doesn't toch them at all.

Thanks for the help, all!

I have a Ford Taurus wagon, before that, a crown vic wagon. I lay the seats down and put the whole bike in, no pulling the front wheel. I have been doing this for the last 15 years. No problems to report.

Same with the Taurus sister, the Mercury Sable wagon. With the 60/40 split, I can fold the 60 side down and still have my son ride in the back.

yeah, no worries... just don't put anything REALLY HEAVY on top of the bike... if you have fenders it's really easy to break them... otherwise the biggest problem/worry is getting your carpet greasy! although the rear deraileur is a little sensitive so i always lay mine with the drive-train side up.

I was always concerned about this too and I still never put weight on the pedal. I always think if I hit a reall big bump than it could warp the chainring or something? You probly don't need to go nutz over it but If possible I always lean mine drive side up with something under it so the pedal 'floats'.

How much force could be on the cranks, when you ride it takes your body weight. When it is lying it is holding such little weight i doubt any damage could occur.

I was always concerned about this too and I still never put weight on the pedal. I always think if I hit a reall big bump than it could warp the chainring or something? You probly don't need to go nutz over it but If possible I always lean mine drive side up with something under it so the pedal 'floats'.

Caution certainly doesn't hurt. But really, the only potential harm I could see here would be if you had the bike laying in a stiff truck bed and it was bouncing and landing on the crank. Repetitive pounding on the axle wouldn't be good for the BB bearings. I've been transporting my bikes inside cars for years, drive side down, weight on pedals without any problem at all.

Yea I do put it in an old pickup with a 'topper' (camper shell ) and rest the seat on the edge of the frame of the shell and the weels accross the bed of the truck fit just rite so that the pedals are off the bed. True a car is a much smoother ride. I prefer to just ride out of the house though :) I've sceen/heard a lot of people down on trunk racks. Why is that?

I've sceen/heard a lot of people down on trunk racks. Why is that? Your bike takes the brunt of the damage if you get rear-ended, for one (spoken from experience...). Plus, depending on brand/model, it can restrict access to the trunk. Then there's the aerodynamic factor (not as bad as with a roof rack, but still there).

Trunk racks are good for a vacation or where you need to transit 3 or 4 bikes, but are a pain for a quick transit with one bike. They take 10-15 minutes to set up, and you cannot get inside the trunk with it attached.

Trunk racks are good for a vacation or where you need to transit 3 or 4 bikes, but are a pain for a quick transit with one bike. They take 10-15 minutes to set up, and you cannot get inside the trunk with it attached.

Right. When I used to do Weds night races, would put the trunk rack on, then take it off before going to work on Thursday....or drive around until the weekend with the thing on my car. Really gets old after a season.

My 58 cm road bike fits in my NB, so I'd say most any hatchback or car with folding rear seats should work.