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Bike Rack master thread

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#101 ·
jollyman78 said:
They don't get stuck together per se... but if you grab the front brake with the wheel off, the calipers often sit deeper than desired, and make it hard for the front wheel to go on... then the pads drag on the rotor.

This is really only an issue with hydro brakes, cable brakes should spring back.
It's an easy fix with a wedge-type tool (screw driver will work, just be careful not to scratch the pads).

This guy is what I used in those situations:
https://www.amazon.com/Avid-Pad-Spreader-Tool-Elixir/dp/B004QCJXJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537892158
Click to expand...

Another aspect is how a brake with worn pads or pads removed might allow the piston to be pushed out of the caliper on some designs. This would result in a problem that would not be quickly and easily fixed by prying the pads back apart with a screwdriver.


In practice I don't sweat it too much, and do make a conscious effort to avoid touching the brake lever when handling the bike with a wheel removed.
 
#102 ·
Lincoln Lightning said:
Took our recon rack out this weekend up to the Kingdom Trails in Vermont, loved how easy it was to load and unload. Rack seems to bounce a bit when on dirt roads but I guess that is to be expected with 5 bikes on it. We did have one of the upper bungees pop on us when we hit a big dip in the road but I had an ancra strap with me and after that no issues. I was able to lay the rack back using the pivot point and open both rear doors and access our bedslide in back. Departure angle was not an issue and I had the rack set on the middle height. We have bikes with 2.6-3" tires but had someone try to fit their fat bike tire (4.8") and that was no problem. I have a ladder on the back of the van and may end up moving it slightly so that there is no rubbing or just add a lil pipe insulation so there is no metal on metal contact when the rack bounces.
Click to expand...
Yep. Had 1UP USA. Needed 5 bikes for all 5 of us. I truly believe the recon we have is superior. we used it on the back of the transit as well as a long trip on the back of a teardrop trailer. Both were exceptional. Zero issues. Can load the entire rack in like 3 minutes. A bonus for us is we put the tear drop in the garage tongue first and then install the rack to it so it’s facing out. Instant bike storage rack in the garage which gives us a great deal more floor space in the garage. It’s a GREAT rack. And the owner is the builder. It’s not anodized aluminum like 1UP but it’s all powder coated. And at the end of the day it weighs as much as a four tray 1UP. Both racks need two people to manage getting it into the vehicle.
 

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#103 ·
I ended up going with a rack that Woof Rax makes. It mounts on the hitch and holds 6 bikes. woof-rax.com

The bikes mount to the rack by the handlebars with the tires facing away from the van. In the end, I plan to have a RakAttach or Wilco Offroad hitch swing to make it possible to access the back of the van while the bikes are still on the rack. Here is a video of the rack in case you want to know more about it:
 
#104 ·
We wanted to have the bikes inside but could not really find what we wanted. We wanted a arm rack that supported road, cx, mtb and fatbikes (5").

This is what we ended up with. We took a Thule replacement arm as it had lost of clearance and a Swagman tray as it sat close to the ground. I made a new swivel piece with a L angle iron and a pipe. These are attached to a 1/4" aluminium plate that will then be attached to a L-Track.

The plan it to add 2 more for when we are traveling with 4 bikes.
 

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#105 · (Edited)
I had earlier installed a fork mount in the van for vertical storage with front wheel removed, ...

 ​

... then changed to a fork that no longer has a quick release axle (five bolts to get the axle loose), so found a wheelie good way to store the bike in about the same amount of space without removing the wheel.

 ​

I'll fashion some nylon webbing to replace the bungee cords I used for the trial run. It will be secured between D-rings and/or to L-Track at the back wheel, to the door center pin mount at the handlebar, and to a D-ring on the front wheel.
 
#108 ·
Bajatransit said:
Yep. Had 1UP USA. Needed 5 bikes for all 5 of us. I truly believe the recon we have is superior. we used it on the back of the transit as well as a long trip on the back of a teardrop trailer. Both were exceptional. Zero issues. Can load the entire rack in like 3 minutes. A bonus for us is we put the tear drop in the garage tongue first and then install the rack to it so it’s facing out. Instant bike storage rack in the garage which gives us a great deal more floor space in the garage. It’s a GREAT rack. And the owner is the builder. It’s not anodized aluminum like 1UP but it’s all powder coated. And at the end of the day it weighs as much as a four tray 1UP. Both racks need two people to manage getting it into the vehicle.
Click to expand...

Sweet we have a 5 bike Recon to! i was wondering if we would have problem opening the rear door on the transit! this rack is amazing!
 
#109 · (Edited)
jollyman78 said:
is that just a really old Fox 36? 20mm thru? you shouldn't have to undo all the bolts to get it out, at least on the newer ones...

...but I like you ingenuity!
Click to expand...
It is a 2018 model FOX 36 that I found on sale at Jenson. I didn't think to look at anything beyond axle size, figuring all modern forks were QR these days. This one came with interchangeable 15 and 20 mm axles that use four pinch bolts, and the same hex size to unscrew the axle. Seems rather ridiculously overbuilt, but I can live with it. Nice fork in all other respects.

I'll have to double check. It could be the pinch bolts are only for holding the axle size adapters, but I'm pretty sure they do clamp them onto each end of the axle.

Found a company in Colorado who made a QR kit for it with a lever on each pair of pinch bolts and another to unscrew the axle, but the sales volume was so low they discontinued it. This storage method is Plan B, and works nicely. :D
 
#110 ·
Travlin said:
It is a 2018 model FOX 36 that I found on sale at Jenson. I didn't think to look at anything beyond axle size, figuring all modern forks were QR these days. This one came with interchangeable 15 and 20 mm axles that use four pinch bolts, and the same hex size to unscrew the axle. Seems rather ridiculously overbuilt, but I can live with it. Nice fork in all other respects.

I'll have to double check. It could be the pinch bolts are only for holding the axle size adapters, but I'm pretty sure they do clamp them onto each end of the axle.

Found a company in Colorado who made a QR kit for it with a lever on each pair of pinch bolts and another to unscrew the axle, but the sales volume was so low they discontinued it. This storage method is Plan B, and works nicely. :D
Click to expand...
strange it doesn't come apart easier... I'm a Rock Shox guy, not that familiar w/ Fox.

There are a few companies that build axles - check out MRP (may have to call them) or I9 (https://industrynine.com/matchstix/)
 
#111 · (Edited)
jollyman78 said:
strange it doesn't come apart easier... I'm a Rock Shox guy, not that familiar w/ Fox.

There are a few companies that build axles - check out MRP (may have to call them) or I9 (https://industrynine.com/matchstix/)
Click to expand...

The axle is held by being pinched at each end, rather than by only being threaded in. Like The Dude's rug tied his room together, this ties the axle more solidly to the fork lowers and gives it a stiffy, so to speak. This fork's axle attachment is to provide better stability for downhill and enduro racers than the QR does. It really isn't needed for an all mountain or cross country ride, but along with the hassle comes a more solid tracking fork with less flex. I don't really need that next level of rock-solid stability, but can't complain too much about the hassle that comes with it as the price it was was offered for was at a wonderful discount.
 
#116 ·
I plan to hang a Dirtbag on the driver's side rear -- looks like my best bet to keep my Diverge inside during multi-month road trips. The "door swing-ability" of this setup, to access things stored under the bunk, is very appealing.

QUESTION 1: where to hang the Dirtbag. Looking at the photos it is not clear if there is consensus on which holes to use / where to locate the Dirtbag. It appears that Chatski used holes on the door and used a single bolt rather than two, so that the Dirtbag istelf pivots.

Travlin' mounted the Dirtbag fore of the D-pillar, on a piece of 1x4 which was ... bolted to plusnuts in the wall, behind the paneling? This placement allows room for the pedals, as well as fine tuning the height so the rear wheel can rest on the deck. But is the "door-ability" impeded by the D-Pillar? Or is the neck of the Dirtbag tall enough to clear the D-Pillar?

I can't tell whether Jaross mounted his Dirtbag on the D-Pillar, or on the wall fore of the D-Pillar, snuggled up tight against the D-Pillar.

QUESTION 2: metal backer plate? A couple of people (jaross, Chatski?) mentioned using a metal backer plate of some sort to stabilize the Dirtbag, which is otherwise bolted through the very thin sheet metal. Any followup on this or other suggestions for the mechanics of mounting (assuming I do not follow travlin's lead?)

QUESTION 3: how many bolts? CHarski used a single bolt, which let the Dirtbag swivel. While probably necessary if you are using the factory holes, it does seem like it puts a lot of stress on a single point (think washboard roads).

Advice on mounting the Dirtbag would be greatly appreciated!
 
#117 ·
Carrying front wheel on the rear door?

I would like to carry the front wheel on the driver's rear door of my T250 MR cargo. Chatski has wheels in front of the windows, with a single cross-bungee. Right idea, but lower....

I would like to have the wheel on the bottom half of the door, not obstructing the window). I guess I could drill a few more holes and make a system of bungees and eyebolts, but surely there is something more elegant? Perhaps a shelf or a couple of L-brackets to rest the wheel in, and the a bungee across to snug it in place?

Ideas? Examples?
 
#118 ·
Racks

I really like the idea of the Recon rack, but it wasn't around when I started my search, so I ended up with a 1up. I love that the rack doesn't sway and I don't have to worry about it marrying my carbon frames.
I also like how it easily swaps from my van to my wife's car. I also got a Wilco swing out hitch, which I'm a big fan of. I also load my wife's dirt bike on that and can swing it out with that on back. Big plus IMO. One gripe of the Wilco arm, is I have to swing it out to open the door even if the bike rack isn't on. If it were an 1/8" lower, it wouldn't be a problem. Anyway, here's some pics
 

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#119 ·
I was thinking about drilling the rear doors and adding L-track and upright roof racks to attach directly to the doors. But now my idea is to use the Prime Design no drill ladder and attach these hooks from Lolo Racks:
Image


The ladder is kinda expensive, but the racks are only $32!
 
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