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What if my bike won't fit on the bus rack? (commuting from Santa Cruz, CA to Bay Aea)

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What if my bike won't fit on the bus rack? (commuting from Santa Cruz, CA to Bay Aea)

Old 10-19-15, 06:17 PM
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What if my bike won't fit on the bus rack? (commuting from Santa Cruz, CA to Bay Aea)

I posted this to the Northern California group, but someone suggested that I also post to Commuting.

I want to commute from Santa Cruz, CA, to Mountain View, CA, by taking the 17 Express to link up with Caltrain (ambitious and time-consuming, but possible). Being able to bicycle part of the route is key, but I'm almost sure that my bicycle will not fit on the bus bike rack because my bike has fenders and a "foot forward" design. Feel free to chuckle, but I like my bike and it serves me well.

I've read that they will allow a couple of bicycles on the inside of the bus if it's not too crowded. But I don't want to annoy people. And I don't want to be that person who is holding up the bus because I can't figure out how to get my bike on the rack.

I'm wondering if there are any regular 17 Express commuters out there who can advise on whether I'm likely to be able to bring my bike on the bus, or if I should consider investing in another bicycle. I really love my bike and would prefer to use it for my commute.

Or maybe you've had experience commuting on similar bikes and can advise. My bike is an Electra Amsterdam Ladies 3i (with a rear rack).

Thanks!
DeDe
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Old 10-19-15, 06:58 PM
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Theoretically, you should be able to. In Arizona, the only bikes not allowed on a rack are ones with motors. Tire clearance shouldn't be an issue, since they accommodate wider mountain bike tires. Only concern I'd have would be the fender clearance.

Arizona buses have a sort of foam cover over the wheel latch, so I'm assuming it shouldn't be a problem with how it affects your fenders.

Have you looked on the local bus website to see if you can find more info on fit requirements/capacity? Also, are you comfortable lifting your bike? Looks like it would be more than 30lbs in my estimate.
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Old 10-19-15, 11:34 PM
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Find a local spot where busses have a layover and ask the driver if you can test the fit.
Beats holding up an in-service bus trying to figure it out.
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Old 10-20-15, 12:05 AM
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My new-to-me bike is the first I've owned with 700c wheels, and the wheelbase is 45". The first time I used the Fort Worth bus bike rack the driver said he didn't think it would fit. It was a close fit, but it works. Occasionally the bungee cords inside the telescoping wheel hooks feel a bit loose, so I keep my own bungee cord or Velcro strap handy to secure the wheel in the rack. Nothing too elaborate or time consuming. So far, so good. Probably a good thing I didn't get the Electra Townie I had my eye on - the much longer wheelbase probably wouldn't fit the bus rack.
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Old 10-20-15, 01:34 AM
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Looking at this photo.

it appears that the position closest to the bumper can take a longer wheelbase than the other two positions. Otherwise you may be able to take it inside.

Standard size bikes are allowed on the Hwy 17, Routes 40, 41, & 42. Up to (2) bikes can be accommodated inside the bus as long as the bus is not already at full seated capacity. (Hwy 17: You may only board bikes inside the bus at the Diridon Station southbound, Cavallaro Station northbound or Pasatiempo if northbound trip deos not serve Cavallaro Station).Bikes will be stored in the accessible area and secured with straps obtained from the Operator.
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Old 10-20-15, 06:24 AM
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I can't imagine being permitted to take a full size non-folding bicycle inside a bus. It would completely block not only the row of seats it is in, but also the aisle. If the bike won't fit on the bus rack, then I don't see any option but a different bike.
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Old 10-20-15, 07:35 AM
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Our bus systems in the area where I live and work in North Carolina won't allow bikes inside the bus unless they are folding bikes. And, they are supposed to be covered (in a bag). However, I've seen many times where the bus drivers don't care if the folding bike isn't covered. I've also seen where pretty young women have been able to bring their non-folding bikes on board. I've never had that luxury offered to me with my bike when the rack was full...

As for bringing a full size bike on board: If nobody needs the handicapped seating area, just fold up the seat and stand there holding the bike. On a recent trip to Belgium, the city buses in Charleroi did not have racks on the exterior, but did allow bikes on the bus. They had an area where a couple of benches had been removed and it was for anything: Bikes, wheelchairs, people just standing (as I was).

There are some bus racks that my Fuji "Touring" will not fit in. The wheelbase is just an inch or so too long. Those racks are on some of the older buses. Newer buses with newer racks accept the Fuji.

Having said that, there is one rack company, "Sportworks" that make the racks currently used on the buses. One type of rack has never been a problem for me. The other has allowed my bike to "almost" completely leave the bus... In both cases, the driver stopped quickly enough for me to rescue the bike. The type of rack that has proven a problem is the type that does not have the "loop" of metal that surrounds the rear wheel. If the spring-loaded hook over the front wheel is a little weak and the bike starts bouncing around, the front wheel can come up and over the "chock". And since the rear wheel has no "chock" behind it, the bike can separate from the bus. Solving this is easy: Remove the heavier pannier from the bike to get rid of weight on the rear. Also, I place a bungee on the front axle and under the rack. I also place a bungee under the rack and up to the chain stays. I never had this problem on the buses with racks that have the metal material that completely "chocks" the wheels. Oh well.

Look at the photo above in a previous response. It's a triple rack. The position closest to the bus has NO WHEEL CHOCK at all! Bizarre! Also, you can see how the metal frame of the rack doesn't completely surround the front wheel of the bike as the two other positions do. However, the two other positions have both a wheel chock for the front wheel and the metal does not dip down and leave the rear wheel "open." The metal frame continues to loop behind the rear wheel and creates a chock. I much prefer the middle and front type of rack as opposed to the one closest to the bus. That looks quite sketchy without any type of wheel chock.
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Old 10-20-15, 08:24 AM
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What are you talking about? The photo above shows the hook locked over the front wheel of the bike on that bus rack. Also you can't really tell what the middle position is like because it's out of the photo frame partially.
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Old 10-20-15, 09:04 AM
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In looking at the photo, to me, it seems as though the bike is not in the rack properly. Shouldn't the rear tire be against the rear of the rack, and then the arm over the front tire, securing the bike a bit more than how it is now? Seems to me that the bike would be loose and could shift around in the rack.
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Old 10-20-15, 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by TenSpeedV2
In looking at the photo, to me, it seems as though the bike is not in the rack properly. Shouldn't the rear tire be against the rear of the rack, and then the arm over the front tire, securing the bike a bit more than how it is now? Seems to me that the bike would be loose and could shift around in the rack.
It's in there as far as it will go based on the rack geometry and the bike's wheelbase. The rack has tubes on both sides of both wheels, and the hook over the front tire keeps it in place. It can't go anywhere.
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Old 10-20-15, 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94
It's in there as far as it will go based on the rack geometry and the bike's wheelbase. The rack has tubes on both sides of both wheels, and the hook over the front tire keeps it in place. It can't go anywhere.
I can see that now, right where the front tire meets the rack.
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Old 10-20-15, 09:58 AM
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The fender is my main concern. I called my local bike shop, and they couldn't say whether the bike would fit. Worst case, they can take off the fender, but I'd rather not do that.

The bus guidelines for bicycles clearly state that the hook holding the bike in place needs to contact the tire directly. So maybe I need to give up on the idea of taking this bicycle on the bus. :-( The guidelines also state that up to 2 bikes are allowed inside of the bus (assuming the area for wheelchairs is not being used), but I'm not sure I can count on that...maybe I will have to take the bus a few times without my bike to see how busy it gets.

I have no trouble lifting my bicycle.

Thanks for responding!

Last edited by DeDeMort; 10-20-15 at 10:04 AM.
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Old 10-20-15, 09:59 AM
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That's a great idea. Thanks!
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Old 10-20-15, 10:03 AM
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I wonder if the hook that holds the wheel place can extend out further so that I could position it past the fender of my bicycle?

Sorry about the multiple posts...still learning how the posting in this forum works.

Last edited by DeDeMort; 10-20-15 at 10:07 AM.
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Old 10-20-15, 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by DeDeMort
I wonder if the hook that holds the wheel place can extend out further so that I could position it past the fender of my bicycle?
I'm sure it can. The arm swings up and down and the hook extends out/in to adjust for different wheel sizes. So you could place it on the tire ahead of the fender.
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Old 10-20-15, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Bezalel
Looking at this photo.

it appears that the position closest to the bumper can take a longer wheelbase than the other two positions. Otherwise you may be able to take it inside.
No, they are the same size, just staggered...
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Old 10-20-15, 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by catgita
Find a local spot where busses have a layover and ask the driver if you can test the fit.
Beats holding up an in-service bus trying to figure it out.
Good advice, or perhaps he is near a bus depot.

I ride by the Big Blue Bus station all the time...
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Old 10-20-15, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by rmfnla
No, they are the same size, just staggered...
Look carefully it's a different tray design. The tray closest to the bumper holds the rear wheel at the edge of the bus so it can be flexible as to the location of the front wheel. The other two trays hold the front wheel at the edge so they lack that flexibility.
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Old 10-20-15, 01:43 PM
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My Fargo fits on the bus racks with fenders. I push the hook right up to the fender, and my fenders are tough (stainless steel) enough I actually wedge it a little between tire and fender. I don't think it would fit if I had the original 29er MTB tires though, even without the fenders. The hook won't pull out far enough. I have 700x50 tires on it for now.

What is the wheel base on the OP's Electra?
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Old 10-20-15, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Bezalel
Look carefully it's a different tray design. The tray closest to the bumper holds the rear wheel at the edge of the bus so it can be flexible as to the location of the front wheel. The other two trays hold the front wheel at the edge so they lack that flexibility.
Oh, I see. Yes, they are different although I'm not sure if it's for the reason you suggest.

On the other hand, it might be...
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