evilcryalotmore

So we are trying to fit four bikes on top of one car for the Palm springs race.


Any pictures of you guys running more then 2 bikes?

91MF

i've done it. forwards, backwards, forwards, backwards. this is done using racks that do not require the front wheel removal. all the bikes had drops. you need to try it out on the ground first - if the bikes are different sizes you may need to adjust position for handlebar clearance.

vw addict

4 bikes is easy, I used to get 6 mtb's on the roof of my GTI when going to races and events. 4 of which had thru axle front wheels. It took very careful placement of 4 uprights front to back to front to back and 2 fork mount trays as far outside on the bars as they would go. Sorry pics were wiped out on my old computer.

carleton

You will get better responses in the Road forum.

Leukybear 

Once you learn how to mount all 4 of them; it always pays to double, triple, and quadruple check the set up as you don't want 4 of these happening:

Clif

6 Mountain bikes on a GTI???
That is absurd. I can't see 6 fitting on my mkiv, my hats off to you. haha

Leukybear 

Somebody's got em' mad tetris skillz.

KyleOndy

So... Where is the rest of the top tube?

Leukybear 

It's called road debris

vw addict

It took a bunch of messing around to set up the trays, and we had to remove all the seatposts to make it work. It also took at least 2 people to get the bikes up there, but you gotta do what you gotta do right?

Leukybear 

Yup; getting the job done by all means.

vw addict

I really wish I had pics still, it was a complete abortion. I'll email the Thule rep to see if he still has the pictures.

Leukybear 

Lol what was his reaction?

"Well, somebody's just voided their warranty"?

vw addict

no but I just texted him and he reminded me they were 58" load bars, but still a tight squeeze indeed.

evilcryalotmore

Alright, Tomorrow im dropping the rack and fitting the bikes on top,

How did you guys cover the bikes?

We got a local tailor to make us some bike covers based on the covers at the LBS.

But the bikes in reverse we are just gunna put a big pillow case essentially.

As far as we've gone is LA to santa barbara with 2 bikes.

so this is the first for four bikes.

Each bike will have an individual seat belt also. Did you guys have to move your handlebars etc?

Corwings

The drive to Palm Springs goes down the 10 which is a 70mph freeway, and gets EXTREMELY windy. You might really need to make sure everything is very secure..

evilcryalotmore

Yea, We are thinking of heading out at night, we are going to use double seatbeats, And We are trying to make a bigger fairing right now,

I have a big box van. But driver is so LAME and cant be seen in a van... ugh.

carleton

You don't need covers on your bike. Have you EVER seen a cover on a bike on a roof? They will either fly off or make a sail.



This sail will either push your car off the road or push the bikes enough to break the rack.

The seat belts will vibrate back and forth and probably come loose. You need some sort of nylon tie down straps.

prathmann

Do they all have to go on the roof? I only have two bike mounts for my roof rack, but when I do Sag duty for our club's sponsored ride I can also carry up to 3 bikes on a cheap trunk rack and one inside the trunk for a total of 6. Unfortunately I can only carry 4 riders but sometimes one of the other Sag drivers has a minivan and can carry more people than bikes.

carleton

You are trying to MAKE a faring? Are you qualified to do this?

The fairing helps with wind noise and gas mileage. Dude, you are driving an hour...not across the country.

evilcryalotmore

By bigger i mean like 1 inch lower, What is happening right now is the wind is coming from under the fairing and its lifting our covers.

what we did now is lay down some vinyl and sealed it to the roof and stock fairing its working pretty well.

carleton

Wut?

What is wrong with doing this:


(random pic from google images)

...like every other cyclist in the world.

You are making it hard and creating a hazard with vinyl and covers and stuff.

Your bike will not die if it gets wet. I drove 15 hours through torrential storms to Frisco TX with two Tiemeyers worth a lot and they lived with no issues. People with bikes waaaay more expensive than mine do the same. Covers are a very bad idea.

joker8baller

It's not 4, but you could probably fit another

evilcryalotmore

Im just sealing the bottom of the fairing not making anything bigger.

The bike covers are just https://www.wekeepyoucycling.com/en/s...ear-bike-cover

carleton

That is designed for storing the bike INSIDE a vehicle:

That will still produce a sail effect.

Dude, you ask for advice, then don't listen to it. I give up. Good luck.