Best way to carry a bike

[JD001]

Why do you want to carry your bike?? Try riding it, it's much more fun...

[JesseG]

Originally Posted by JD001

Why do you want to carry your bike?? Try riding it, it's much more fun...

Oh that’s what bikes are for?!!




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[soundman98]

Originally Posted by JD001

Why do you want to carry your bike?? Try riding it, it's much more fun...

it's like a salt life sticker!

[ShackAttack]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

I've been running the Curt for 7 years. While it does hang a little low and I bang it on the ground occasionally it has been bombproof and has never rattled against anything. The weight is actually a good thing, this car needs a few pounds in the rear. Having to drill out a couple of the holes was annoying at first but, whatever. I've carried bikes for probably 50k miles and never had a problem and one of my bikes is a 46 pound e-brick.

So the hitch they put on was the Curt, rebranded for uhaul. Based on the hardware they left on the car, they installed one of the spacers under the frame rather inside. This shifted the whole assembly down about 1/8 inch so there was no clearance.

Now they left a rattle in my exhaust and refused to fix it. Told me to file a claim against their insurance.

I have my mechanic working on the exhaust now. Trying to decide whether to try the Curt again with a competent installer or get the Slambert. I'm leaning towards the latter, but am worried about the strength of the tow hook.

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[gravitylover]

Originally Posted by ShackAttack

So the hitch they put on was the Curt, rebranded for uhaul. Based on the hardware they left on the car, they installed one of the spacers under the frame rather inside. This shifted the whole assembly down about 1/8 inch so there was no clearance.

Now they left a rattle in my exhaust and refused to fix it. Told me to file a claim against their insurance.

I have my mechanic working on the exhaust now. Trying to decide whether to try the Curt again with a competent installer or get the Slambert. I'm leaning towards the latter, but am worried about the strength of the tow hook.

Sorry you're having a hard time with all of this. I could see where a mistake could leave that stupid large and heavy muffler rattling against something. The thing about using the tow hook style is you really are limited to one lightweight bike, I could never use it for 2 heavy(ish) mt bikes and certainly not for my 46 pound e-mtb. Well, maybe if I could drive on perfect pavement all the time and the bike would never need to bounce around. The problem is that "moment" when that long lever, with the weight up high, hanging off the tightly sprung rear end needs to move up/down/sideways all at the same time will likely overload those two 1/2" diameter bolts. I guess if I only had to transport a 20 pound road bike I wouldn't be as concerned especially if the rack was something really light also or maybe if you use a stabilizing strap or two to the leading edge of the trunk lid so the bike can't wobble as much to reduce the stress on those bolts it might be more feasible.

[ShackAttack]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Sorry you're having a hard time with all of this. I could see where a mistake could leave that stupid large and heavy muffler rattling against something. The thing about using the tow hook style is you really are limited to one lightweight bike, I could never use it for 2 heavy(ish) mt bikes and certainly not for my 46 pound e-mtb. Well, maybe if I could drive on perfect pavement all the time and the bike would never need to bounce around. The problem is that "moment" when that long lever, with the weight up high, hanging off the tightly sprung rear end needs to move up/down/sideways all at the same time will likely overload those two 1/2" diameter bolts. I guess if I only had to transport a 20 pound road bike I wouldn't be as concerned especially if the rack was something really light also or maybe if you use a stabilizing strap or two to the leading edge of the trunk lid so the bike can't wobble as much to reduce the stress on those bolts it might be more feasible.

Thanks for relaying this. I have a 30 lb double bike rack, but don't anticipate taking a second bike. I may exchange it for a single rack, but it's not going to weigh much less. My mountain bike is also 30 lbs. Do you think this will be too much weight for it?

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[dragoontwo]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Sorry you're having a hard time with all of this. I could see where a mistake could leave that stupid large and heavy muffler rattling against something. The thing about using the tow hook style is you really are limited to one lightweight bike, I could never use it for 2 heavy(ish) mt bikes and certainly not for my 46 pound e-mtb. Well, maybe if I could drive on perfect pavement all the time and the bike would never need to bounce around. The problem is that "moment" when that long lever, with the weight up high, hanging off the tightly sprung rear end needs to move up/down/sideways all at the same time will likely overload those two 1/2" diameter bolts. I guess if I only had to transport a 20 pound road bike I wouldn't be as concerned especially if the rack was something really light also or maybe if you use a stabilizing strap or two to the leading edge of the trunk lid so the bike can't wobble as much to reduce the stress on those bolts it might be more feasible.

I carry my 30 lb mtb on the 23 lb rack over the KY insterstate and have yet to have any problem. With that being said, I am looking to modify my rack so I can move the bike closer to the car to shrink that lever arm.

[gravitylover]

Originally Posted by ShackAttack

Thanks for relaying this. I have a 30 lb double bike rack, but don't anticipate taking a second bike. I may exchange it for a single rack, but it's not going to weigh much less. My mountain bike is also 30 lbs. Do you think this will be too much weight for it?

Like dragoon said above, you'll probably be fine. I think if you add two stabilizing straps to reduce the bounce and sway it will make all the difference but you'd still be limited to one bike. Sometimes you just have to move two and that limit might be a problem.

[ShackAttack]

So, my mechanic called. He says uhaul probably dropped a bolt inside the frame when they installed the hardware. Now I have to get a body shop to fish it out.

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[RWDWeekend]

Seasucker Talon has my vote. I went with their Monkey Bars option (more typical cross bar style rack) so I could outfit it for a board, bike, anything really. Just more versatile. I've had it for a month now, and left the rack & board on the car for 5 days straight as a sort of test. I've had to give the cups a few extra pumps twice, and everything remained buttoned down when I tested it at 80mph for 30 mins or so on two occasions. I think it looks halfway decent as far as racks are concerned! Photo for reference.

[dragoontwo]

Shameless post ride picture.

[Aluma007]

I had the 1.25"curt hidden hitch that mounts to the rear bumper's inner support with a saris super clamp for 3 years. no problems, no funny business. Regularly took two MTBs to trails and long trips too. And for less than $150 too.

[ShackAttack]

Originally Posted by dragoontwo

Shameless post ride picture.

What bike rack is that? Looks nice!

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[dragoontwo]

Originally Posted by ShackAttack

What bike rack is that? Looks nice!

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That's a 1Up rack.