Carrying bikes

[ian.foxall]

Hi forum,

Looking to take our kids bikes away with us on future trips.
Have researched a bit there’s not really a lot of options or advice out there, that i can find anyway!

So, how do you do it?

I’m thinking of a rear car-mounted rack. Don’t really want them on the roof of the car as I’ve heard they’re not great.

But any ideas or tips welcome!

Thanks

 

[GaryB]

I carry mine on a rear mounted rack on the caravan BUT mine's a carbon fibre racing bike, I've got heavier socks.... Depends how many bikes and how much they weigh if considering a rack on the caravan as (ignoring stability for a minute) a couple of bikes PLUS the rack can quickly eat away your payload allowance. Prior to using the rear rack I put mine on the roof of the car, no real issues.

 

[JTQ]

We could help more with a bit of info:
How many?
Sizes?
Car type?
How much room in the tow car?
What particular hang up is there with roof rack mounting?
Is transporting with the car solo a requirement?

 

[otherclive]

I used to hang my bike carrier over the rear door mounted spare wheel in my Pajero, but after that it went on the roof with grandchildren’s bikes. I’ve never had a car since that would accept a carrier mounted off of the rear door. Various aero bits prevented it.

 

[JTQ]

I over decades have carried multi bikes in differing ways depending on vehicle, how many of us and intended cycling.

This has been on the spare wheel of our 110 LRs, both tight behind and over the top. PIA as this inhibits use of the rear door, and behind the rear mounted spare wheel limits the reversing "jack knife lock".
On roof using fork clamps.
In car using fork clamps.
In caravan again using the fork clamping technique.[need the weight margin]
Stripped with front and rear wheels removed, pedals off and bars turned in line. Then carried variously on roof bars and in boot.

I have become a firm convert to fork clamp based solutions, converting any bike to have Quick Release front wheels, and usually rears as well.


Have also used a tow ball carrier for solo runs off site, as tend to want to explore places too far off from campsite to also have to cycle there, and back. Two on the back two on the roof on occasions, all 27" or 700s.

Now carry my "Fairy cycle", Brompton 100% of the time in boot of Golf our normal run about.

 

[borderbilly]

bung them inside the caravan 👍

 

[jimmyg352]

bung them inside the caravan 👍

I’ve done this. I have a dedicated charity shop duvet cover for the very purpose. Just make sure the bike is laid so it can’t move enough to whack any woodwork.