Rooftop TAB transport
08-09-08, 08:27 PM
#1
"Fred" in training :)
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Rooftop TAB transport
Since others may have run into this same need I thought I would share my experience, however I am sure I am not the only person who has had to put a TAB on the roof, so if there are other/better solutions I would love to hear them.
We recently added a TAB to our collection and have to transport it for those trips that do not originate from home. After visiting several LBS(s) and rack stores we were told there was no way to transport it on our roof rack.
My wife would tell you that telling me something cannot be done is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. Below is what I came up with. It seems to work well and is very rigid. It is not quite as rigid as my fork mount trays, but I have never used a tray that attaches to the downtube, so this may be normal. However when I try to move the TAB it moves the car.
What I did:
After trying several configurations with a tray that attaches to the downtube of a standard bike without liking the results I turned the "stand" 180 degrees so it folds forwards instead of backwards. My thought was that with the rear wheel secured the forward movement of the stand would pull against the rear wheel providing stability. It worked "okay", but there was still some movement of the TAB. I then found that putting a rope over the arm of the TAB just above the point where the stand attached to it and applying downward pressure pulled the TAB forward a bit more. This extra pressure provided great stability and really locked it in place. Because of the added pressure on the rear wheel strap I also lashed the rear wheel to the loadbar with rope before I applied to rope to the front. This way I was not depending on just the rubber strap. It worked well today on everything from residential streets to interstate travel. It can be done with one person, but I think it would be even easier with two. One to control each end of the TAB. If you are doing it alone be prepared to support the whole thing when securing the rear wheel strap (before the stand is attached) so the front does not come down on the roof.
In short:
1) reverse down tube stand
2) secure rear wheel with standard strap
3) attach stand to TAB
4) lash rear wheel with rope
5) attach rope to front and "crank down" which provides good font/back stability
6) test and make sure you are comfortable with it
We recently added a TAB to our collection and have to transport it for those trips that do not originate from home. After visiting several LBS(s) and rack stores we were told there was no way to transport it on our roof rack.
My wife would tell you that telling me something cannot be done is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. Below is what I came up with. It seems to work well and is very rigid. It is not quite as rigid as my fork mount trays, but I have never used a tray that attaches to the downtube, so this may be normal. However when I try to move the TAB it moves the car.
What I did:
After trying several configurations with a tray that attaches to the downtube of a standard bike without liking the results I turned the "stand" 180 degrees so it folds forwards instead of backwards. My thought was that with the rear wheel secured the forward movement of the stand would pull against the rear wheel providing stability. It worked "okay", but there was still some movement of the TAB. I then found that putting a rope over the arm of the TAB just above the point where the stand attached to it and applying downward pressure pulled the TAB forward a bit more. This extra pressure provided great stability and really locked it in place. Because of the added pressure on the rear wheel strap I also lashed the rear wheel to the loadbar with rope before I applied to rope to the front. This way I was not depending on just the rubber strap. It worked well today on everything from residential streets to interstate travel. It can be done with one person, but I think it would be even easier with two. One to control each end of the TAB. If you are doing it alone be prepared to support the whole thing when securing the rear wheel strap (before the stand is attached) so the front does not come down on the roof.
In short:
1) reverse down tube stand
2) secure rear wheel with standard strap
3) attach stand to TAB
4) lash rear wheel with rope
5) attach rope to front and "crank down" which provides good font/back stability
6) test and make sure you are comfortable with it
Last edited by keeponriding; 08-09-08 at 08:55 PM.
08-10-08, 06:51 PM
#2
GATC
sweet!
