[Tom Schwartz]

I used plus nuts to attach a product called velo hinge made by Feedback Sports sold at Performance Bicycles on both the D pillars. Then, I bolted fork mounts to the velo hinge and now I am able to hang my bikes and take up very little room. The handle bars and pedals fit just inside the door. You will have to push your seat post in all the way or take the seat post out if you want to hang both bikes at the same time. My photo only shows one bike but I can hang two. The best part is that the velo hinge allows you to swing the bike 90 degrees when you open the door so that you can access your stuff in the rear of the van. We also ran L-track front to back recessed in the floor and then two more L-tracks side to side so that we can carry additional bikes and strap down stuff while traveling. Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to rotate the photos but the first two may not be oriented correctly.

 

[fargy483]

How do you hang two? I'm looking to hand two side by side but don't want to give up the 3.5' or so width to do so. In my garage I have the bikes hanging on hooks by the front wheel. The hooks are slight offset and the bikes are turned. I want to replicate that setup as they only take about 2.5' width.

 

[Tom Schwartz]

I hang one from each D pillar and the seat kiss in the middle if you push the seat post down. You only need a few inches in next to the rear doors.

 

[Nomad]

Looks good!

Quick release and compact road bikes gives you a bunch of options. I'm jealous. Designing a van around a few large mountain bikes with bolt on axles and long wheelbases and is forcing many compromises.

 

[Yater]

Yeah most mountain bike forks are going to thru axles now. I'm thinking about something that locks one wheel down and at least a track for the other wheel...like a kuat rack does but on the van floor. It would work with all wheels (mine are 27.5 mountain and 700c road)

 

[fargy483]

Cool thanks for the info... have you ever seen a fork mount mounted vertically instead of horizontally? For me a vertical mount that allows the handlebars and fork to be turned perpendicular to the frame would be the easy solution. but i've never seen it done and also wonder if there is any issues with it being done that way.

 

[fargy483]

Another thought I have is to hang the bikes vertically with the rear wheel at the top.

 

[Yater]

Cool thanks for the info... have you ever seen a fork mount mounted vertically instead of horizontally? For me a vertical mount that allows the handlebars and fork to be turned perpendicular to the frame would be the easy solution. but i've never seen it done and also wonder if there is any issues with it being done that way.

I don't know that I've seen a skewer mounted verically but it's not a problem. I'd just secure the rear wheel so it doesn't bounce the headset around too much.

 

[fargy483]

I picked up my saris triple track mount today. I'm mounting above the windows but below the wiring guide on the drivers side of the van. Two road bikes side by side mounted vertically from the front fork. I think it'll work perfect but I prolly coulda diy-ed for less money. I did buy it on Craigslist though!

 

[djbikeman]

Cool thanks for the info... have you ever seen a fork mount mounted vertically instead of horizontally? For me a vertical mount that allows the handlebars and fork to be turned perpendicular to the frame would be the easy solution. but i've never seen it done and also wonder if there is any issues with it being done that way.

I use fork mounts and hang bikes vertically in my 16ft trailer. I stagger them high/low so the handlebars can overlap. If you don't have the height to stagger them, then you can easily turn most bike handlebars 90 degrees by loosening the stem. I space them 16" apart. I use a simple toe strap screwed into the wall to secure the back tire.

I have seen others mount roof racks vertically as well. That works too. If you mount C channel track vertically on the wall, you can use Thule 460 feet and Fit Kit 3101 to point load bars horizontally on the wall, then use the fork mounts you want.

I have also used the Thule Sidearm vertically for thru axle mtb's. If there is enough height in the vehicle/trailer this works. Again, you can stagger the mounts high/low to get more bikes in a tighter space.

 

[djbikeman]

I don't know that I've seen a skewer mounted verically but it's not a problem. I'd just secure the rear wheel so it doesn't bounce the headset around too much.

That's interesting. I secure the rear wheels to keep the bikes from swinging into each other. Hadn't ever thought about the headset. Are you worried about it getting damaged or coming lose?

 

[Zain Stuart]

We can carry bicycles inside in differently way like that you can open diffrent-2 part; not a minor's part, jut big parts of bicycles. Which cab be easily fold and carry anywhere you want.

 

[Yater]

That's interesting. I secure the rear wheels to keep the bikes from swinging into each other. Hadn't ever thought about the headset. Are you worried about it getting damaged or coming lose?

I have to snug my top caps down occasionally on my road bikes. I ride 200-250 miles/week and after a while (months), they develop play (felt when tapping front brake). It's not a big deal but I wouldn't want my bikes bouncing vertically on the headset for long. More importantly, like you said, the bikes will swing all over if not secured.

 

[DaBinChe]

OP
What is the name of the rails that you are using on the floor? What are they called?

 

[Tom Schwartz]

L-Track.

 

[highaltitudelife]

Looks good!

Quick release and compact road bikes gives you a bunch of options. I'm jealous. Designing a van around a few large mountain bikes with bolt on axles and long wheelbases and is forcing many compromises.

My bike is 7' long and super tall. Figuring out what to do with it has been challenging.

 

[djbikeman]

I have to snug my top caps down occasionally on my road bikes. I ride 200-250 miles/week and after a while (months), they develop play (felt when tapping front brake). It's not a big deal but I wouldn't want my bikes bouncing vertically on the headset for long. More importantly, like you said, the bikes will swing all over if not secured.

I wouldn't worry about the headset when they are hanging in the van at all. The forces applied to the headset while hanging in a van are negligible compared to actually riding them. Resetting your headset adjustment has way more to do with the mileage you put down than hanging them in the van when driving.

The things to think about when hanging a bike are more suspension, dropper post, and hydraulic brake related.

 

[Nomad]

My bike is 7' long and super tall. Figuring out what to do with it has been challenging.

I've tried a couple configurations but the best I've determined is similar to http://www.pinkbike.com/news/brian-lopes-custom-sprinter-van-2015.html

...the bikes are on the right side when looking into the back of the van, and the wheels are turned towards the left. I made a rack out of 80/20 that pinches the sides of the rear tire holding up to 4 bikes upright.

 

[Yater]

I wouldn't worry about the headset when they are hanging in the van at all. The forces applied to the headset while hanging in a van are negligible compared to actually riding them. Resetting your headset adjustment has way more to do with the mileage you put down than hanging them in the van when driving.

The things to think about when hanging a bike are more suspension, dropper post, and hydraulic brake related.

Suspension and brakes are not a concern. Hydraulic systems can hang upside down or be thrown off a cliff as long as no air is introduced. Jangling a headset up and down for hours at a time will be the ONLY potential problem.

 

[djbikeman]

Suspension and brakes are not a concern. Hydraulic systems can hang upside down or be thrown off a cliff as long as no air is introduced. Jangling a headset up and down for hours at a time will be the ONLY potential problem.

Obviously you're some sort of expert in the bicycle world, so I'll just leave this alone. Good day.