megan.hutchins asked:
My husband and I are going camping this weekend and we are bringing our bikes. We do not have a bike rack for the back of our SUV nor do we want to buy one (we are borrowing the bikes). My husbands SUV has a rack on top of his car. We have never used it except for transporting our christmas tree. Do you think we could tie our bikes to the roof or is that a bad idea? If so, any other ideas without spending any dough?
cycle guy
January 26th, 2009
Free Shipping
Sure, friends of mine have done just that. Use some cardboard etc to cushion the car top and bikes from each other. Tie down well – it worked fine – no damage to anything.
intrepidfae
January 27th, 2009
Smoky Eye
Use something (cardboard, blanket, etc.) to protect the SUV’s roof from the bikes and the bikes from each other. Watch out for the pedals, brake levers, shifters, and kickstands. Also make sure to tie the wheels so the handle bar can’t move and the wheels can’t spin. Finally, use a lock if the SUV will be unattended during the trip. A lock won’t stop a competent thief, but it may encourage him to look elsewhere for easier prey.
HTH
wle atlanta
January 30th, 2009
Discontinued Stila
remove front wheel
insert bike between front and back seat – where passenger’s feet would go
[may only work for one bike per car]
lot better than bike rack though
theft and weather proof, plus it;s free
you can tie one on the roof, sure
put it left-side down [so the bike isn;t sitting on the derailleurs]
wle
lftr67
February 1st, 2009
car camping
If you put them on the roof, definitely wrap them up in blankets, packing quilts, or old towels. You might also remove the pedals so they will lay flatter. If possible, loosen the stem so you can lay the front wheel flat but turn the handlebars 90 degrees. If you don’t feel comfortable getting them set back up then skip that part. Removing and reattaching the pedals is easy.
One thing, don’t forget they’re up there and drive under a low overhang or into a garage. You’ll end up with lots of damage to the bikes and your car.