Adapting a rear mount bike carrier??

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Does anyone have some insight on transporting 'classic' a.k.a. non-diamond framed bikes on a trunk/tow hitch mounted bike carrier?

Need some advice.

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[jalopyjimmy13]

huh i got a schwinn 4 bike rack i never have a problem only girls are a lil trickier

 

[expjawa]

I've usually had to put a cantilever frame on at an angle. Because of the curve of the top tube, the rear of the bike would be high. Then it's just a matter of threading the carrier bar (and its frame craddles) below the top tube and above the cantilever extension tubes. A straight-bar frame ought to similar or maybe simpler. If the bike has a tank though, it's a bit tougher. The carrier I had was difficult to fit under the canti-tubes. Step-through frames can be tough to mount as well, but you can get clamp-on top tube adapters to allow easier carrier mounting.

I've since moved to roof mounted racks. It's a little bit of a pain to put a 50-pound bike on the top of a mid-size SUV (especially for someone that's 5'6"), but I've got a system figured out. I have 4 carriers on my roof now, two that are axle mount, and two that are tire-on. The latter definately work better for a cruiser, especially one with fenders. The photo below shows me maxing out both the roof and rear carriers:

 

[yoothgeye]

A bike... outside of the car? Have you no heart? I make my kids ride on the bike rack (they call it the moving monkey bars) and the bikes lay in the soft velour seats.

 

[aka_locojoe]

Mine the wheels sit in the rack instead of hanging.

 

[brett4christ]

Has anyone tried a Yakima Lockjaw or Raptor (tire-on top rack like on expjawa's Explorer) crossways BEHIND a vehicle (same orientation as the rack just above)?

I have one, and I'm thinking I might try to rig up a hitch-mount base and mount my Lockjaw on it.

Any thoughts?

 

[expjawa]

Has anyone tried a Yakima Lockjaw or Raptor (tire-on top rack like on expjawa's Explorer) crossways BEHIND a vehicle (same orientation as the rack just above)?

I have one, and I'm thinking I might try to rig up a hitch-mount base and mount my Lockjaw on it.

Any thoughts?

For one, it's a Mountaineer. Identical to the Explorer, except for the fancy options that don't work anymore. :mrgreen: That and the roof rack. I had to swap on an Explorer's roof rack tracks to make what's pictured work. Ford, however, changed the bolt pattern in the roof for the Mercury. Made things more difficult than it should've been.

But regarding what you're talking about, my father and I were talking about doing the same thing for mounting behind his motorhome. He likes the rear tray mounts, like Locojoe's, but they're expensive. The roof top mounts, like my Thule Big Mouth, can often be found relatively cheap on craigslist. We talked about making up a frame that's attached to a 2" drawbar and bolting the carriers to that.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Randy,
That's one of the ones I'm looking at, I just need to add in the cost of adding a tow hitch to the Mrs. Volvo wagon.. :mrgreen:
Will it hold a 24 x 3 tire inflated?

Found it online for $250
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1031411_-1_1624008_20000_400170

Cheers,
Dr. T