[Michael Ophus]

thanks for the education in bike racks! back in the early 70s i was a high mileage touring cyclist but it has been 30 years since i have even been on a bike. i am thinking it is time to buy another one, (easy stuff: old railroad bike paths) i just bought a trailer hitch without trailer lights.

 

[Chatski]

Here's some pics with the Rackattach and Kuat set up. You can open both doors 90 deg with just the rack but no bikes. Handle bars stick out too far. It's a little lopsided cause I didn't tighten everything.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Man, this is exactly what we needed. If you notice the assembly on your Kuat has the forwardmost bike's front tire to the left, I assembled mine to the right. If they're swapped, would long MTB bars fit?

1up owners get to choose their own adventure!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[carleton]

Man, this is exactly what we needed. If you notice the assembly on your Kuat has the forwardmost bike's front tire to the left, I assembled mine to the right. If they're swapped, would long MTB bars fit?

1up owners get to choose their own adventure!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looking at our Kuat, I believe the trays would be reversible. That is the solution we are going to try when we get our Transit. The handle bar length is really the only issue....

 

[Lionmonster]

Man, this is exactly what we needed. If you notice the assembly on your Kuat has the forwardmost bike's front tire to the left, I assembled mine to the right. If they're swapped, would long MTB bars fit?

1up owners get to choose their own adventure!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh yeah! That would work great.

I bought mine already assembled, so I didn't even think of that. Just means I have to take everything apart and put it back together.

 

[Lionmonster]

So since it was warm this morning, I switched the direction of the bikes to see how it would work.

And it does, but the front tire holder will be in the way when the rack is folded up. Not a big deal since it will rotate the other direction.


2nd issue is when the door is opened, the pedal will hit the door. It would work if the pedal is always rotated so it's at it's lowest position, but I know that will not happen and I'd end up with a big dent in the door. I'd rather let the handlebars hit the windows first

So I put everything back the way it was.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jollyman78]

Back in CO with my van, and had a chance to check out the two racks I have.

The 1up should work, but you can't open the doors when its "parallel" to the ground:

When its rotated down, doors open!

The Thule T2 (classic) won't work either way...

One note, both are the 1 1/2" receiver type. The 1up comes with an adapter, and the Thule I had to buy an adapter. I'd expect similar results with the 2" versions.

 

[Chatski]

We checked the clearances on a RakAttach with a Kuat and a 1up. Both work, but some interference at the back door. We decided to go with storing them inside the van, but hanging up.

Barn door bikes anyone? Kuat Dirtbag fork mounts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jollyman78]

We checked the clearances on a RakAttach with a Kuat and a 1up. Both work, but some interference at the back door. We decided to go with storing them inside the van, but hanging up.

Barn door bikes anyone? Kuat Dirtbag fork mounts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

VERY cool idea!
Do you get any noise/bouncing with that setup?
Have you had any issues with the brakes with bikes hanging like that for a long time (and bouncing around on the road)?

We tossed around many different ideas, and want to be able to carry at least 4 bikes. Depending on the bike, I'm thinking we can stash 5 with this setup:

We'll probably still mount the 1up on trips. Even with a similar setup in my Xterra, we found it nice to have an external rack on trips to just throw the bikes up there after a ride... especially when we hit mud.

 

[thirddoor]

Chatski, that's exactly what I want to do with our bikes, except it would be best to have them both on the driver's side... which holes did you use? Any chance you could post a close-up of the mounts?

 

[carleton]

Jollyman:
Seeing your rear-camera barely clearing that rack has me a bit disappointed. I'm afraid I'm going to see nothing but rack in the screen.

Looks like next year is getting the high camera which will probably perform better.....Maybe there will be a way for all of us to retrofit the new parts...

 

[Chatski]

Do you get any noise/bouncing with that setup?
Have you had any issues with the brakes with bikes hanging like that for a long time (and bouncing around on the road)?

We'll probably still mount the 1up on trips. Even with a similar setup in my Xterra, we found it nice to have an external rack on trips to just throw the bikes up there after a ride... especially when we hit mud.

We get zero noise. The size of the bikes, wedged in the back, they don't move at all. The mattress helps lock them down.

No issues with the brakes thus far. As long as the caliper isn't above the brake lever, we 'shouldn't' get spongy brakes. I'll report back.

We don't hit mud that often, being in the desert. We're more concerned with dusty components and whatnot. Primary reason we wanted them inside are dusty forest roads we ended up spending too much time double washing the bikes. We keep an Ace Hardware pump sprayer and Simple Green on hand, and rinse after the ride. By the time we're done with a post ride beer, they're dry and get put inside.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Chatski]

Chatski, that's exactly what I want to do with our bikes, except it would be best to have them both on the driver's side... which holes did you use? Any chance you could post a close-up of the mounts?

I used the holes near the top rear of the rear windows, dropped a Plusnut in. It's not secured that well, we're trying to figure out if that's a good or a bad thing. I'll post up some better pics this weekend.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Chatski]

Chatski:
Seeing your rear-camera barely clearing that rack has me a bit disappointed. I'm afraid I'm going to see nothing but rack in the screen.

Looks like next year is getting the high camera which will probably perform better.....Maybe there will be a way for all of us to retrofit the new parts...

I don't have a rear camera yet. Plans to put a high camera in with a replacement rear brake light. So far, I just use mirrors, talent, and a lot of luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jollyman78]

Jollyman:
Seeing your rear-camera barely clearing that rack has me a bit disappointed. I'm afraid I'm going to see nothing but rack in the screen.

Looks like next year is getting the high camera which will probably perform better.....Maybe there will be a way for all of us to retrofit the new parts...

Honestly, I just put both racks on for fitment. I didn't check the view in the backup cam.
I have seen where racks block views in most vehicles with cameras. I personally am not too concerned about it, but its a good thing to think about!

When I put it on, I'll have to take a pic of what I see in the camera and post here.

 

[willabean]

Thanks for the discussion. We are trying to tackle this same issue. Had a thought - can you install a front end hitch and use a bike rack up front? That way no door, back up camera issue and minimize dust, etc. Just googled it and this popped up http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-single-bike-rack-for-the-front-of-a-van. Thoughts?

 

[jollyman78]

Thanks for the discussion. We are trying to tackle this same issue. Had a thought - can you install a front end hitch and use a bike rack up front? That way no door, back up camera issue and minimize dust, etc. Just googled it and this popped up http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-single-bike-rack-for-the-front-of-a-van. Thoughts?

There is a guy who put a 2" receiver on the front of a Transit. I've not seen info on here, but there's a FB group with some info on it. I also asked the guy for pics of how it attached to the frame... short answer - custom job!

I'm planning on putting a 2" on mine, but for a winch hook-up... good thing I know a fab guy!

 

[willabean]

Also, wondered about a step down for rear hitch so maybe could gain clearance for Swingdaddy, etc. Not sure if something like this would work https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...ries-and-Parts/Roadmaster/RM-076.html?feed=npn&gclid=CLbJxb7GotMCFdaNfgodYnYISQ.

 

[Chatski]

Chatski, that's exactly what I want to do with our bikes, except it would be best to have them both on the driver's side... which holes did you use? Any chance you could post a close-up of the mounts?

Wiener dog for scale



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Springsyeti]

There is a guy who put a 2" receiver on the front of a Transit. I've not seen info on here, but there's a FB group with some info on it. I also asked the guy for pics of how it attached to the frame... short answer - custom job!

I'm planning on putting a 2" on mine, but for a winch hook-up... good thing I know a fab guy!

Somthing about a bike mounted to the front. They seem more exposed to road debris and direct weather forces. Water coming at the bike sideways at highway speeds cant be good.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

 

[jollyman78]

Somthing about a bike mounted to the front. They seem more exposed to road debris and direct weather forces. Water coming at the bike sideways at highway speeds cant be good.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

I would agree... I use hitch mount or inside vehicle mounts anymore. I had a roof mount in the 90's, and was always cleaning bug guts off the bike... I also lived in Kansas, so lots of bugs!