Cycling Thread 2

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by InglewoodFan

Ordered an e-bike for my wife on the weekend, she has chronic back issues so pedaling up hills is a no-no. The plan is if we can ride together we will both get out more.

My next consideration is a rack. All I presently have are rooftop carriers, which present the problem of (1) this thing weighs 60+ lbs and (2) we switched from a wagon to an SUV so the lift is higher. I'm going to need to switch to a hitch mounted rack, but it seems like everyone else had the same idea and things are sold out all over. Any suggestions or am I boned?

if your vehicle is lower then a hitch-mount tray style is nice for lifting, but be aware of height of rack off ground (think of entering/exiting some parking areas that are sloped or transition to/from entry ramp. Some are higher than others.

You CAN get stuff online, and/or watch Kijiji/Marketplace and be willing to move super fast and pay asking pricing.

[Fuzz]

Do you have a hitch already? You may want to make sure you get a class 2, as a class 1 is rated for a tongue weight of 200 lbs. Sounds like a lot, but that doesn't take into account the leverage you get from a bike rack hanging out there. Add a 30-50lb rack, a 60lb bike, and another 30lb bike, bouncing around and it's starting to get dicey. Make sure the ebike is closest to the vehicle when loaded.

[Wormius]

I have a 4 bike hitch mount platform, but I really wish our Rav4 didnt have the spare tire mounted on the door. Such a PITA.

[Bill Bumface]

If you're worried about clearance issues with a 4 bike rack, the 1up racks are staggered higher as you add bikes. Nice for decreasing handlebar interference too.

Disclaimer: I've only owned a 1up roof rack and currently use a Thule T2 Classic for a hitch rack.

[bossy22]

I have the 1up. I've hauled a couple of Levo's on it without issue.

[Kybosh]

Looking for some input for bike transport options. Between myself (29er MTB, road bike), my partner (flat bar commuter), and our son (bike trailer). . . we have a lot of bikes. I drive a Silverado with a topper on the bed and I'm trying to figure out what the best option for transporting all of our stuff.

Is there a hitch rack that can haul three adult bikes with pretty vastly different geometries? My 29er enduro bike is pretty big for example. I've been wondering if I can do the bike over the tail gate thing but the topper and rear window might make it difficult or impossible.

[Fuzz]

Does your truck have a 6 foot bed? My 29er just fits, and my topper is tall enough. 2 road bikes and 2 MTB bikes. And this is in a lil' ol' S-10 truck, not a full size. I built the rack out of ABS pipe, I think it cost about $50.

Spoiler!

[Timbo]

Nice set up Fuzz I would dark tint those windows for stealth. Seriously jealous.
Edit:
I see tint but hard to see how dark it is.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Does your truck have a 6 foot bed? My 29er just fits, and my topper is tall enough. 2 road bikes and 2 MTB bikes. And this is in a lil' ol' S-10 truck, not a full size. I built the rack out of ABS pipe, I think it cost about $50.

Spoiler!

It's a 5'8" length bed (crew cab). I'll have to investigate here, as it's really the enduro bike that's the tricky one. I could definitely do something like your set up if I take the front wheel off otherwise it might be too tall with the truck bed topper.

[Fuzz]

The windows are fairly dark, I have a big hardened chain I loop through everything if I am leaving it anywhere.

5'8" might be tough, though your truck bed is wider so you could probably turn your wheel a bit. Though then the handlebars might hit.

Bike transport is one of the reasons why I won't even look at getting a replacement truck that doesn't have a 6' bed.

[combustiblefuel]

Anyone looking to up grade there road/gravel bike ? Got a set of takeoffs. Apex HRD 1x11 postmounts, rival derailleur. Got a 11 speed cassette too. 11-42 sunrace . Came off my salsa Fargo xl so should fit anything.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Looking for some input for bike transport options. Between myself (29er MTB, road bike), my partner (flat bar commuter), and our son (bike trailer). . . we have a lot of bikes. I drive a Silverado with a topper on the bed and I'm trying to figure out what the best option for transporting all of our stuff.

Is there a hitch rack that can haul three adult bikes with pretty vastly different geometries? My 29er enduro bike is pretty big for example. I've been wondering if I can do the bike over the tail gate thing but the topper and rear window might make it difficult or impossible.

A 1up rack will haul 3 bikes of different sizes pretty easily. You buy the initial 2 tray and then you can add a single. I haul XL 29er enduros all the way down to my sons bike. Also, you can buy fork mount kits and just attach them to a chunk of 4x4. Way cheaper that way and out of site under the topper.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by bossy22

A 1up rack will haul 3 bikes of different sizes pretty easily. You buy the initial 2 tray and then you can add a single. I haul XL 29er enduros all the way down to my sons bike. Also, you can buy fork mount kits and just attach them to a chunk of 4x4. Way cheaper that way and out of site under the topper.

1up looks like a great choice. I'm trying to keep the bikes out of the truck bed so we can haul all of our stuff as well as the bikes (mostly the kid's stuff, let's be honest . . .).

[stazzy33]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Anyone looking to up grade there road/gravel bike ? Got a set of takeoffs. Apex HRD 1x11 postmounts, rival derailleur. Got a 11 speed cassette too. 11-42 sunrace . Came off my salsa Fargo xl so should fit anything.

PM'd

[Northendzone]

my only comment on bike racks is, don't be afraid to spend money on a quality unit - which may run you up to $1,500.

I purchased a Swagman 2+2 - so i can use it for two bikes or four with an add on. The rack has been solid, although it has those J hooks that go over the frame, so i use a pool noodle to cushion it. So my takeaway when you buy a rack, is to test mount everything and understand if there is a rub point with the potential of a paint scuff.

if you look on MTBR, 1up is by far the favourite rack. I myself, really liked the Kuat, until I saw the Swagman. Another solid option is the Northshore; however, storing those units looks like a pain.

when i bought my rack, it took me a bit to get my head around the cost; however, I have hauled my bikes to Bend, Whitefish, Fernie, Kelowna, Banff, Bragg etc without issue over the past 10 or so years I have had the rack.

I'd like to think that I could sell it for about 90% of what i paid for it.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

my only comment on bike racks is, don't be afraid to spend money on a quality unit - which may run you up to $1,500.
I purchased a Swagman 2+2 - so i can use it for two bikes or four with an add on. The rack has been solid, although it has those J hooks that go over the frame, so i use a pool noodle to cushion it. So my takeaway when you buy a rack, is to test mount everything and understand if there is a rub point with the potential of a paint scuff.
if you look on MTBR, 1up is by far the favourite rack. I myself, really liked the Kuat, until I saw the Swagman. Another solid option is the Northshore; however, storing those units looks like a pain.
when i bought my rack, it took me a bit to get my head around the cost; however, I have hauled my bikes to Bend, Whitefish, Fernie, Kelowna, Banff, Bragg etc without issue over the past 10 or so years I have had the rack.

I'd like to think that I could sell it for about 90% of what i paid for it.

1. Buy quality and it will last, new or used.

2. Buy quality and upon resale you'll get most of it back, especially if bought used.
3. If you sell used stuff now I'm seeing people asking MORE than what they paid for it. Just look at some of the cr@p on used-sites... I saw someone reselling two Costco fatbikes after a season of use for about $900 I think. Basically selling for what they paid.

[Icantwhisper]

Falling to the second page is unacceptable, plus they were handing out free KOM's today

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

Falling to the second page is unacceptable, plus they were handing out free KOM's today

My buddy went out in the wind for a ride on 22x yesterday. He wanted to see just how much the wind would kill his speed if he maintained the same power out and back (13-14km each way). He did exactly 287W both ways, which was impressive by itself.

58.7km/h going East. 21.1km/h on the way back.

He managed to get all 4 KOMs.

An hour later someone else had the same idea. Took 2 KOMs and tied one.

[Icantwhisper]

I’m pretty sure we have the same buddy, JW. Guys in the SE have a vicious KOM battle every time the wind blows

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

I’m pretty sure we have the same buddy, JW. Guys in the SE have a vicious KOM battle every time the wind blows

JW and I will do early morning TT rides in the summer out on 22x. It's super flat so you can get do a really decent pace and kill a 100km in under 3 hours and be home before the family is done breakfast.

The KOM battles are fun to watch down here. I've ridden with most of the guys who compete for them, and since I'm not strong enough to compete, it's fun to watch from the sidelines as they piss each other off.