rms13

I do not live 100% car free like some of you. We still have 1 car( suv actually) in my household that I am paying for but rarely use and have to plan carefully and in advance if I want to use it. I am 90-95% car free and commute to work and do most errands and shopping via bike.

On to my story. I'm currently building a new fixed gear track bike for the road. I bought everything on line and will build most of it but I have to take it to my LBS to get the headset and bottom bracket installed because I don't have the tools and it's cheaper to let them do it instead of buying tools. But the irony is....I need to use a car to bring the bike frame and parts to the LBS. That's the end of my story

Roody

How come you need a car for this?

cooker

It's not cheaper if you factor in the cost of the car

DX-MAN

I'd like to know that, too; is this new bike not N+1?

I carried my nephew's new 16" training-wheel bike home from the store across my handlebar, back in '98; my reward was seeing his face when I purposely mis-adjusted the training wheels before he rode it...rolled four feet, hit a dip in the sidewalk, the rear wheel was off the pavement, and he SPUN OUT!

It's pretty simple, really -- "bandolier" the frame across your torso and ride to the shop. Any parts that go with you for installation can ride in a pack or bag.

rms13

New bike. I need to take the frameset , headset and bb to the LBS for them to install then I will pick it up and build the rest of the bike at home. Carrying a bike frame and fork and parts 5 miles to my LBS while walking is possible but nothing I want to do. Carrying on the bike is impossible unless I invest in a trailer first

rms13

Believe me, I would love to completely get rid of the truck. Unfortunately my fiance doesn't have a vehicle and she doesn't feel the same way about being car free as I do. It's an argument I've had and lost several times.

wahoonc

I have carried a bike frame over my shoulder while riding many times, especially for a short distance of 5 miles. I have ridden two bikes home over a distance of 3 miles, riding one while ghost riding the second by holding onto the handle bars.

Aaron

Artkansas 

You couldn't do that on the major streets here. Too much traffic and too many steep hills. I've tried and ended up walking them both.

I fail to see why people are so intent on telling the OP that he shouldn't use his car.

Me, I'd slap the bike onto my BaW trailer or use a bus. But what he does is his own decision.

wahoonc

Just offering options...

Aaron

DX-MAN

CRAP.

If I was where you are, I'd pedal it to the shop MYSELF, just to show you HOW. TOO easy.

alhedges

And Tom Sawyer's plan comes together...

gerv 

you just have to figure it out once... amazing what you can accomplish with a rear rack.

The other trick is to buy the tools and do it yourself at home.

rms13

Headset press and bottom bracket tool is not worth the investment unless I start making bike building a regular habit.

You guys are making me feel guilty! Maybe I will walk it. I don't trust riding in L.A. traffic while carrying frame and fork. The rest easily fits in my panniers

gerv 

Another options is to take the frame on the bus. I've done this before and it works pretty good.

One thing about not having a car is that you need to plan more. You can't just hop in a car, so you need to devote a little mental energy to route planning. So... get a LBS that accessible on a bus route. Or learn how to move a bicycle with a bicycle (actually, a trailer would be helpful... as you point out). Or find a friend who can help you. Or learn to do it yourself... a skill you can use to help others and barter services.

Also, feel free to ask here. Most of us have faced the same transportation issues you have and we've figured a way...

Roody

Don't forget that sometimes you have to make more than one trip. I would strap the frame to my back with webbing or bungee cords. The fork and bb will be a piece of cake.

To be totally honest, if I had a car, I would probably use it, since maybe I'm a bit of a lazy old dog. But lacking the car, I would figure out another way.

I do guarantee that the carfree way would be both more fun and more work.

rms13

Just because I'm up for a challenge. If you were me , how would you transport the frame, fork and crankset ? Here is my set up on my other bike:



That is a banjo brothers expandable top bag with fold down panniers so I have some good storage space. I could also take the bag off and use the rack and a back pack if that would be better.

gerv 

ms13, I think this is about your only option. Try something like this. Ride it around the block. If it isn't comfortable enough for 5 miles to the LBS, look for a bus.

Smallwheels

You've got an SUV that you're paying for so use it. Don't feel guilty for using a tool that you've sunk a lot of money into. Bicycles aren't trucks, at least not regular ones. Cars aren't evil. They're just tools that can be used for good or evil.

Roody

Well sure, if you always like to do things the easy way instead of the fun way.

gerv 

I was just going to post a picture of an SUV sitting on my rear rack... but the camera is out of film.

Roody

Yeah, I got me one of these new cell phones that supposedly takes pictures. But I can't figure out where to put the damn film!

prathmann

Shouldn't be too hard if it's just the stripped frame

alhedges

That's not living car free!

And it's definitely not car light!