Comments on: This Post Might Save Your Bike’s Life

By: Myrna CG Mibus

Myrna CG Mibus — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:30:28 +0000

Oh no! I’m glad that Tina is back up and running again. She’s a beautiful bike.
(I am curious to know if you took an “after” picture)

I’ve never used a top rack or even a rear-mounted rack. So far, I’ve been able to fit all of our bikes (four) in the back of my minivan. We have to take front wheels off. Not sure how things will fit when Ryan gets into a bigger bike but we’ll tackle that when we get there. If I’m just hauling my bike I can get it in my van without taking the wheel off.

Myrna

By: Darryl

Darryl — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:17:58 +0000

Yeah, the roof top definitely looks cool…but can be a little scary. It also is more difficult to mount the bike on top of the roof as well.

I got my rack mostly for the few times when I need to transport my bike, but generally ride from home.

By: trailsnet

trailsnet — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 18:17:01 +0000

You’ve got quite a following on your blog. Nice job.
You’re experience is one of the reasons I prefer a hitch-mount bike rack. I am super spacey and would definitely forget I had a bike up there; then I’d drive into the garage or under a tree, or into a car wash or…
Besides, I don’t like to take the front wheel off like you have to w/ most roof mounts and I don’t like having to lift the bike that high.
Of course I prefer to skip the whole “car” step all together and just ride my bike to the trailhead. Unfortunately, that’s often not feasible.
Take care and happy trails.

By: bikerly

bikerly — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 14:48:36 +0000

Great post, Darryl.

Oh man I hate to say this but one time I actually forgot my bike was mounted up top and drove into the garage with it!

A noise like I’ve never heard happened and I thought for sure my beloved Gary Fisher Paragon was busted to itty bitty pieces. Luckily, I was in college driving a cheap economy car that rode low to the ground and only my seat needed replacement.

Your reminder is a good one. Sorry you had to experience this. I remember that awful feeling in my gut when it happened. I didn’t even want to get out of the car to look. Love the post it tip. I do this on my garage door when I have to take something to work… my ‘stupid human trick’.

Lake Travis Cyclery – BRAVO! Service like that is more rare than an albino buffalo. This February I’m gonna drive down there (from MN) and buy stuff from them – and hopefully go for a ride.

your new bike – what!? no singlespeed fixie flip-flop? I hope professor @egggman doesn’t see this post : ]

By: Loving the Bike

Loving the Bike — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:41:51 +0000

Thanks Heather, I can imagine how you felt after it happened. Lucky for me it wasn’t my road bike.

Darryl

By: Loving the Bike

Loving the Bike — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:40:17 +0000

Thanks Kendall, that is another great tip.

Darryl

By: Loving the Bike

Loving the Bike — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:39:58 +0000

Definitely a safer way to go.

Darryl

By: Sabinna

Sabinna — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 06:07:23 +0000

A timely reminder…for this reason I have always gone for the rear carrier solution. It’s easy to remove when not in use and the only thing you have to worry about is somebody crashing into the back of the car.

By: Kendall

Kendall — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 05:15:26 +0000

I hear you. That is some good advise to share. We always put the garage door opener in the glove box, just so we don’t accidentally drive into the garage after a long day. Even so, my wife one time drove into my mom’s carport with my bike on top of the van. She got two rafters in before she remembered. Somehow the bike survived with only some scuffing on the seat.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:34:28 +0000

Did the same thing with my mountain bike a few years ago parking near the 360 bridge. Bike ok, rack ok…top of car not so much.

It only takes one time. Never done that again.