RiverHills

I have one of the rear mount bike racks that supports the bike by the top tube. Works like a charm, but the issue is that the bike is free to swing back and forth as the car stops and speeds up. I'm concerned this rocking back and forth my eventually wear and scuff the paint where the top tube rests on the rack.

Has anyone ever had issues with this, and if so, what innovative ways are there to either protect the paint or prevent the bike from swinging? I'd rather not spend hundreds of dollars on a Saris or other big name brand that cradles the wheels, but I do recognize that to be one solution.

FWIW, my rack is a Bell trailer hitch mount variety.

CbadRider

I have used bungee cords to cut down on the bike swing. I've also seen some bike racks with foam taped on the support to prevent paint damage.

CNY James

painters tape on whatever parts of the frame are actually prone to contact with the rack or your car

tie it down tight someplace to reduce movement

painters tape on whatever parts of the frame are actually prone to contact with the rack or your car

foam/cloth padding secured to rack to reduce/prevent chafing

painters tape on whatever parts of the frame are actually prone to contact with the rack or your car

Retro Grouch 

If you value the paint on your car you also need to pay attention to where the bike pedal is going to hit when the bike swings forward.

RiverHills

Nope, my bike is worth more than my car.

cehowardGS

Good question!

As soon as I hooked up my Reese trailer hitch rack, I noticed that the bike was moving, and not only that, the hitch mount that holds the bike was moving too.

A good ending though. First, I have no mechanical skills whatsoever, but I tackled both of those problems big time. At the thrift stores, they usually have bicycle helmets selling for about a dollar or two. I got a couple of them, not to wear, but I put that in between the trailer hitch arm, and the bike, all snugged together with a couple bungee cords..Nothing moves. As for the hitch arm moving, ahh, this was pure genius on my part.. (patting myself on the back)

I got a Ford F150 pickup. In the bed of the truck, I sling a ractched tie-down from one side to another. Then I take another ratchet tie down wrap it arond the arm, and hook it to the one in the bed. Tighten everything. End result, the bike is rock-solid stead, the hitch arm is rock solid steady. Will post a picture the next this evening when I get home, because I got the rig all hook up to my truck right now.

For a person that can't turn a screw, and that is the truth, this was a big thing for me...

cehowardGS

Pictures of my hitch rig with bikes..The bikes don't hit the rack, and the bikes don't hit each other, and the rack doesn't move.

A combination of tie-down-straps, bungee cords, old computer packings, and old helmets.

The hitch and bikes do not move, even at 100mph..

elstepho

I haven't had a problem with frame paint but with other parts (i.e. handlebars, seatpost, and fork) using the same type of rack. This summer we fit 4 bikes on a rack and drove from Ohio to Utah. I didn't think to care about any movement since the bikes were closely packed. Over the many miles the bikes rubbed up against each other causing significant wear. My handlebars got the worse of it; it looks like the seatpost of another bike got molded slightly into the aluminum. Wont do that again.

PomPilot

Another option is to use foam pipe insulation over those part of the frame that will have possible impact. Such as over the rack support arms*, chain stays, seat stays and front fork. You can secure the foam in place with painter's tape or Velcro. It does add a little bulk, but could reduce motion related damage.

*It looks like your rack has a top tube clamp, whereas mine has just hooks. I use bungie cords to help hold the frame in place, and not bounce off.

RiverHills

I've tried the foam pipe insulation but I found that creates just as much friction against the paint as anything. Lately I've been wrapping all parts that contact the bike with cut up old T-shirts. That seems to be working well.

tsl

Old socks. I wrap the top tube with them right where the rack clamps to it.