Traveling with bikes.... recommendations

[OpenSpace]

Have you ever had problems with the grease being blown out of the headsets with the NS? It looks like they are positioned just about the right height for that. I have one bike with a roller bearing headset that i have to wrap the head tube to keep it from getting blown out.

No. The crown of the fork rests in the "cradle" of the rack and takes the weight of the bike. It's a really well thought out piece of gear. Bummer is I can't use it with my Hallmark w/o some kind of hitch extension because my camper extends past the truck bed.

 

[Taku]

we use two different racks. A Yakima Swingdaddy and a Thule tilt model. Using a hitch extender keeps them to where you can open the door enough to get in, or using the swing feature it is no problem. Actually did modify the Thule so the door opens all the way without tilting. I also added extra brakelights to the jack mounts so there is no issue with brake lights/taillights being obstructed by the bikes. We also us a bike cover to keep the dirt/rain off. When you drive 20 or 30 miles of red dust road in UT, then find your brakes don't work cause of all the dust that packed in the cables, the cover saves a lot of maintenance.

 

[sportsman]

The tandems are a Santana Arriva and a Salsa Powderkeg. Sounds like I have a couple options. I was just curious if I could squeeze two single bikes inside and not have to worry about a hitch rack. I have a thule but it will require being unhitched/removed to get in and out of the camper. Not a huge deal but an inconvenience.

My wife and I have slid 2 CX bikes and 2 mtbikes into our fleet (not all four at the same time), and now our hawk, along with our daughter's bike. We normally use our Yakima hitch mount bike rack with a swing-arm, which, unfortunately is a top tube rack, but it s sturdy and easily survives rough dirt roads. I'd love to switch to a wheel mounted rack, but have't found a swing arm rack yet. there was a small (one man) company in the LA area that made swing-arms, but he has essentially stopped making them.

 

[sportsman]

Second WestCoast on this:

https://www.northsho...oto 4bike18.htm
We're serious riders. Wife used to race. We travel to ride. Had a NS rack about 4 years. Best I've used by far.

Northshore racks, not recommended for road bikes or cx bikes.

 

[WilcoOffroad]

One solution is our Hitchswing.

I have a fleet on order.... any recommendations for adding bikes to the mix? We do alot of riding. I was wondering if they would fit inside in the aisle if I take off the front wheels? We also have a hitch rack but it doesn't swivel out of the way so that could be a pain putting it on and off. We did order the yakima tracks, just not wild about having them up top....... I would probably drive under some low hanging limb....

Just wondering what others do / recommend. Thanks

 

[Squatch]

I bought one of these a while back to carry my bikes behind my Smart car. I've been very pleased with it. It doesn't swing out of the way but is simple to load and unload and the arms fold up. It works fine behind the camper with a 9" hitch extension. It has a built in screw down anti rattle pin for the hitch. Lotta bang for the buck.
https://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross-Country-2-Bike-2-Inch-Receiver/dp/B0001VO1YY









Just bought a front receiver hitch for the Tundra. I'm curious to see how/if this will work up front.

 

[Hardcastle]

This is what i use:
https://rockymounts.com/collections/hitch-racks/products/backstage-swing-away-platform-hitch-rack


Rocky Mounts Back Stage Swing Away Platform Hitch Rack

It swings out and away from the door on My Hawk.

 

[mitch h]

We use something like Squatch uses. our extention is a little longer and we can open the door and step in, on problem. Mitch

 

[windy]

Kuat or 1up are the sturdiest options I’ve run across. We use the Kuat for our 2 e mountain bikes.

 

[buckland]

Some folks look puzzled as I have 2" hitch on the front of my truck that I use to move equipment around and into tight spots in the barn. It is very easy to see where you are going. I also store my camper on a wagon that goes in the barn for winter and that is also easier with this set up. If I get a winch it can be mounted both front and rear depending.
Bicycles... I have a bike rack that goes into the 2" hitch in the front. It is nice as the camper rear door is not blocked and the bikes can stay there with a lock. Visibility is also fine and the headlights are not blocked. A bit more weight moved forward as well.

 

[Vic Harder]

Some folks look puzzled as I have 2" hitch on the front of my truck that I use to move equipment around and into tight spots in the barn. It is very easy to see where you are going. I also store my camper on a wagon that goes in the barn for winter and that is also easier with this set up. If I get a winch it can be mounted both front and rear depending.
Bicycles... I have a bike rack that goes into the 2" hitch in the front. It is nice as the camper rear door is not blocked and the bikes can stay there with a lock. Visibility is also fine and the headlights are not blocked. A bit more weight moved forward as well.

which rack are you using for that front mount? The wheels on on bike look a little low to the ground... ever crunched those on a steep incline?

 

[buckland]

I think I bought it from Cabela's 25 years ago... it is heavy, made of steel pipe. We drove 4,000 miles through New Brunswick, Maine and though never on bad off road it did fine. My bike ha a crossbar but my wife's has to have an adapter to hang it on the rack and the front wheel is low but a foot of clearance works. I am mindful when pulling into a parking space that the curbing may cause a problem. I would feel more comfortable with it higher and will ponder a fix.

 

[DextMorg]

I know I have seen options for "bike carriers" when I've made reservations for rental vehicles in the past, although I can't remember which company that was. You may just need to make a special request when making the reservation. My guess it would be the truck-style of bike rack though. You're probably better off renting an SUV and doing what DugS suggests. Plus the bike can be locked inside the vehicle when you at the local watering hole refreshing after your ride.

If you want to rent a truck, check with United Rentals or possibly UHaul for the best prices and availability. You won't be able to pick it up at the airport though. Maybe a UberXL can get you there. You could also get moving blankets to use as a tailgate pad.

Since you are flying with your bike, remember to reserve cargo space with the airline and arrive even earlier than recommended. Have you thought about shipping it directly to your lodging accommodations? I bet costs between shipping through Bike Flights and flying with your bike would be competitive, especially considering the aggravation of navigating through airports with XL items.

 

[mercer]

What do you guys think about folding bikes? I saw one Xiaomi folding electric bike but not sure if it goes for this price. It was kinda expensive

 

[Farrell Vaughn]

Here's what I built!