How do you stop the SWAY?
 

When using a trunk rack on the back of your car, how do you all stop the bikes from swaying forward and backward when driving along, and you have to hit the brakes to stop, etc.

I figure, I can tie-wrap a stick to hold the two bikes apart, so they don't hit each other, but what do you use to keep the bikes from smacking into your rear bumper?

Just curious as to what you all do?

We used old tire tubes to tie the bikes down when we had a trunk rack. Suprisingly it works pretty well since it's somewhat stretchy.

That's a good idea, but what I'm worried about is when I hit the brakes hard, if I need to. How do you keep the bikes from slamming into the car? I have a bottom brace on my hitch rack for my truck, but no bottom support for the car trunk rack.

What type of trunk rack are you using? What type of straps securing the top tubes?

When I used a trunk rack I used to go for the theory of clamping them down at the top tube and bottom of each wheel, as tight as possible, to try and prevent any movement.

The trunk rack I have has a mount that is shaped like a 7. The top of the seven sits under the top tube with a strap that goes over top, and the side of the seven goes down the seat tube with a similar strap. This keeps the bikes from touching, or swaying into anything. It's a Yakima rack, in case your wondering.

To keep them from swaying,first get plenty of foam pipe insulation. Get a couple of sizes one that will fit on the smallest tubes on the bike and some for the big tubes. Put each bike so that only tire to metal contact, or foam to metal, (or foam to foam on your nicely painted bikes) is contacting. Carefully pad them and tie them so they are pinned against the bumper and cannot move. It takes a while to get used to it but I do on my four bike rack all the time. I'm the only one of my friends who never scratches a bike on the rack. I don't scratch the car either. HOWEVER I rarely put my best bike on a rack, you still may may mark the paint with the foam or just a rope rubbing on the bike. Tie them [B]solid and padded[B]
My suggetion is use the bike with the most expendable paint job on the bike rack. ? If you have one.:)

You may be able to tie to the lower part of the bike rack or go under the bumper to something solid. If there is a lot of space between the bikes or the bikes and the car, a couple of the old "boat cushion" type life savers can hang on the rack and make good bumpers. So can boat bumpers.

The Saris Bones ties down the seat tube to solve that problem.

+1

I bought this rack a few weeks ago and don't have a problem because of the seat tube strap.

the plastic dog-bone thingies that velcro on between the rack tube and seat or down tube and then between the bikes does the job for me

cinch em down
 

I lash them tightly to the rack. Cellulose sponges make cheap spacers. The bikes should not be dangling at all, they should be immobile. The rack has to have a bottom part. See http://www.stealthrack.com/home.htm

I use a Saris Bones 3.

I don't worry about sway. :)

+2. I also use a Saris Bones double. I bungee the front tire to keep it from spinning in the wind, put a sock under the pad that rests on the trunk, and rest the two lower pads against the license plate.

Well, there was no way I was going to let the Trek Fuel 80 touch the Orbea Dauphine so I bought one of these:

http://www.performancebike.com/produ...00/40_1639.jpg

Bikes don't touch each other; they don't move, they don't sway. I can't accidentally crash them into the garage and I don't need a ladder to get them off the Element.

But can you carry bikes for a family of five? :D

62vette Hi, you mentioned this in an old post:

the plastic dog-bone thingies that velcro on between the rack tube and seat or down tube and then between the bikes does the job for me

Talking about a product to keep bikes from swaying and hitting each other while hanging on a car rack.
What product is this? I can't find anything like it.
Thanks.

Thread is 15 years old, and 62vette has not been on the forum for 7 years. I hope someone else can answer your question but don’t get your hopes up.