How to Put a Bike on a Car Rack

Driving your bike or bikes to a killer ride is easy once you get the knack of putting your bike on your trunk or rooftop rack. Here are the basics.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic Bags
• Bicycle Racks For The Roof
• Plastic bags
• good ropes , bungee or elastic cord, or nylon straps

Trunk Rack

1. Place the first bike on the rack so that the rack is supporting the frame. Adjust the pedals so they don't interfere with the bumper.

2. Tie the bike frame to the rack at the two points where the rack supports the frame. Use bungee cords if you don't trust your knots.

3. Place the second bike on the rack facing in the opposite direction of the first. For a better fit, lift the handlebars of the second bike over the rear tire of the first.

4. Secure the second bike to the rack, also at the points where the bike frame and the bike rack meet.

5. Tie the front wheel of each bike to the frame. This keeps the wheels from banging and spinning.

6. Tie the outside bike's wheels to the car's bumper, or beneath the car, to keep the bikes from swinging.

Roof Rack

7. Remove the front wheel of your bike, if needed, depending on the type of roof rack you own.

8. Lift the bike using your legs, not your back.

9. Place the rear wheel in the channel of the roof rack, and place the front wheel or fork in the clamp.

10. Tighten the front and rear clamps.

11. Shake the bike gently to make sure the clamps are secure enough.

12. Remember to put the front wheel in your car's trunk if you removed it.

Tips & Warnings

• Note how high your car is with the bikes on top, and remember that the bikes are there when driving below trees, through drive-throughs or into a parking garage.
• If you park your car in a garage after the ride, post a note on the windshield to remind yourself that you have bikes on the roof.
• In case of rain, tape a plastic bag over the seat with heavy, waterproof tape. The rest of the bike will dry quickly, so don't bother with a tarp - it'll blind your rear vision or flap around on the roof.

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[4140viu]

on 4/5/2009 ANYBODY KNOW HOW TO PUT A BIKE WITH CENTRAL SUSPENSION ONTO A BIKE RACK. I HAVE A Avenir Ohio 2-Bike Spare Tyre Mounted Car Rack BUT AM HAVING DIFFICULTY PUTTING THE BIKES ON. (HAVE LOST THE INSTRUCTIONS)

[velocipede2288]

on 6/6/2008 On the other hand, you may just like to get a folding bike and put it in the car boot,or better still, take it on a bus or a train and do the planet a favour.
http://pawild.net/alanherper

on 8/10/2006 The entrance to a garage may not be the lowest point. I ruined a bike seat because a garage had a sign mounted that was lower than the entrance point.