Worried about traveling with bike on rack...
Hi everyone,
I am traveling to the Sierra Nevada in June and am considering bringing my bike on the back of my car. My girlfriend and I like to hike and it is possible we may stop for a dayhike here or there. We would probably be gone a couple hours, maybe more. Is there a way to secure my bike (Motobecane Immortal Pro) so it will still be there when I get back from my hike? Thanks! |
Depends on the type of rack you are using. I have a hitch mount rack that is locked to the vehicle, the bike has a wheel lock that is locked and then a cable is threaded through the frame and around the rack. If you are using a trunk mount you can still lock it to the rack but it is harder to secure the rack to the car. I made a rig for my daughter that was comprised of some very thin, coated, stainless steel air craft cable that looped around the rack and was fastened to something large in the car trunk. The cable was closed up in the trunk, you could remove the rack but it wouldn't go far without cutting the cable.
Aaron :) |
Most newer cars have tow "hooks" under the rear bumpers. Even with a strap on trunk rack a cable lock between the bike and the eyes would at least slow someone down.
I have left my bike in the bed of my truck on a fork mount and locked to my fifth wheel hitch before without any problems, so far, for short periods. |
Originally Posted by Montagnard
(Post 12414032)
Hi everyone,
I am traveling to the Sierra Nevada in June and am considering bringing my bike on the back of my car. My girlfriend and I like to hike and it is possible we may stop for a dayhike here or there. We would probably be gone a couple hours, maybe more. Is there a way to secure my bike (Motobecane Immortal Pro) so it will still be there when I get back from my hike? Thanks! That said, unless you really need your bike.........leave it home and don't worry about it so you can enjoy your trip. |
an enclosed cargo trailer will be Best, as long as someone doesn't steal the trailer.
|
Originally Posted by fietsbob
(Post 12414544)
an enclosed cargo trailer will be Best, as long as someone doesn't steal the trailer.
I have had a couple of those disappear over the years...last one was in 2006 and it was attached to a Ford truck...truck went with it too:eek: Never been recovered, state police figure it went straight to Mexico. Aaron:) |
A cable lock saved our bikes on at least one occasion. On a trip from Mi to Az we stopped in Chicago to visit the Museum of Science and Industry. When we came back out we saw both of our bikes had been pulled off the trunk rack we had on the car and were hanging there askew. The would-be thief had slashed the bungee cords with a knife but apparently hadn't noticed the cable securing the bikes to the bumper until he started to pull the bikes off the rack. Fortunately he didn't have any tools to cut the cable.
|
Originally Posted by prathmann
(Post 12414679)
A cable lock saved our bikes on at least one occasion. On a trip from Mi to Az we stopped in Chicago to visit the Museum of Science and Industry. When we came back out we saw both of our bikes had been pulled off the trunk rack we had on the car and were hanging there askew. The would-be thief had slashed the bungee cords with a knife but apparently hadn't noticed the cable securing the bikes to the bumper until he started to pull the bikes off the rack. Fortunately he didn't have any tools to cut the cable.
Aaron :) |
Parking lots for trail heads are notorious targets for thieves. If it's a popular place with lots of people coming and going it's better than if it's one that is deserted most of the time. Can you take one or both wheels off and stick it in the rear seat or something?
|
Originally Posted by Looigi
(Post 12415050)
Parking lots for trail heads are notorious targets for thieves. If it's a popular place with lots of people coming and going it's better than if it's one that is deserted most of the time. Can you take one or both wheels off and stick it in the rear seat or something?
|
I would rent a motel room, condo or bed-and-breakfast and LOCK the bike up inside the room.
|
We drove across the country with our bikes locked like this:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CR4yNJ2gHA...onny%2B010.jpg |
Originally Posted by TromboneAl
(Post 12415452)
We drove across the country with our bikes locked like this:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CR4yNJ2gHA...onny%2B010.jpg just another reason to love my Windstar. I was planning a trip to Dayton OH, and being single I can just put my bike/s inside and my suicaes between them. |
If I take the front wheel off my road bikes one bike and the front wheel easily fits in the back seat of my little Corolla. There would be room for one in the front seat too. Some other bikes like mtb or bikes with fenders do not fit.
It might be a pain, but you might fit two bikes in the car, if you take the front wheels off. |
please send locations and dates....Trailheads are notorious....I had my drivers license and credit card stolen, from my wallet....they left the wallet were I "hid" it in the locked car....and relocked the car.....
|
Originally Posted by Nightshade
(Post 12414508)
Sure, you can secure it to your car but what plans do you have for vandalism to your bike??? .... unless you really need your bike.........leave it home and don't worry about it so you can enjoy your trip.
FWIW, I carry two bikes on a cartop rack secured with a cable. If I have to leave them in a place I'm not sure of, I loop together two cables, pass them through the frames and wheels and put the lock inside the car. When I need to, I can get my 64cm roadie and my wife's smaller bike inside the car, with the wheels off. But the chance of a random hiker in a remote location just arbitrarily deciding to trash your bike before he goes on down the road is pretty small. |
A couple of well placed claymore mines will do the trick.
|
Back Seat Boogie
Thanks everyone for your input. I think I will remove the front wheel and put the bike in the back seat with a sheet underneath it and another on top. I'll be riding at Mammoth Lakes, Tahoe, and along the American River near Sacramento. Should be nice weather in mid June I hope. Thx again!
|
I spent a week in the Los Angeles area appearing in a film last week. I do that every so often with the same producer and director. One day, I spent the day on horseback in the mountains above Santa Barbara. Another day, we were in downtown Santa Monica near the pier. A couple other days we were shooting in Oakland and San Francisco, including along the beach. Everywhere we went, I was wishing I had brought my bike. But with the costs of checking baggage these days, getting my Lady Xizang there and back again would have been cost prohibitive. Not to mention the hassle getting through the larger airports.
I envy those who can travel by road and take their 'babies' with them in the back seat... |
Originally Posted by xizangstan
(Post 12506041)
I spent a week in the Los Angeles area appearing in a film last week. I do that every so often with the same producer and director. One day, I spent the day on horseback in the mountains above Santa Barbara. Another day, we were in downtown Santa Monica near the pier. A couple other days we were shooting in Oakland and San Francisco, including along the beach. Everywhere we went, I was wishing I had brought my bike. But with the costs of checking baggage these days, getting my Lady Xizang there and back again would have been cost prohibitive. Not to mention the hassle getting through the larger airports.
I envy those who can travel by road and take their 'babies' with them in the back seat... Aaron :) |
Originally Posted by xizangstan
(Post 12506041)
I...Everywhere we went, I was wishing I had brought my bike. But with the costs of checking baggage these days, getting my Lady Xizang there and back again would have been cost prohibitive. ...
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/02/h...h-my-bike.html The soft case is a lot light and smaller making it much easier to lug around. |
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:19 PM. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.