Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
Thinking about doing rides farther away without carting the bike there
in my car. Or riding out farther and using a bus for some of the way back. Buses out here have racks for two bikes up front, like this: http://www.sacbike.dreamhosters.com/...us_No_2395.jpg Unfortunately the top-holding bar goes over the front wheel where the emergency dynamo is on my road bike instead of over the seat. Ok, I can remove that dynamo. However, both my road bike and my MTB are "rear-heavy" with panniers that contain lots of water, tools and such. Are they still safe in those racks? The other question is, El Dorado Transit and others state to "remove panniers and other baggage to allow safe operation of the bus". My panniers look detachable but they are not, there is a lot of stuff underneath that bolts and cinches them in place. What's your experience? -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ |
Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
On 17-09-17 16:54, Joerg wrote:
Thinking about doing rides farther away without carting the bike there in my car. Or riding out farther and using a bus for some of the way back. Buses out here have racks for two bikes up front, like this: http://www.sacbike.dreamhosters.com/...us_No_2395.jpg Unfortunately the top-holding bar goes over the front wheel where the emergency dynamo is on my road bike instead of over the seat. Ok, I can remove that dynamo. However, both my road bike and my MTB are "rear-heavy" with panniers that contain lots of water, tools and such. Are they still safe in those racks? The other question is, El Dorado Transit and others state to "remove panniers and other baggage to allow safe operation of the bus". My panniers look detachable but they are not, there is a lot of stuff underneath that bolts and cinches them in place. What's your experience? The Swiss way is to have hooks from which you hang the bike by the front wheel. This is common on both buses and on trains. And that means removing panniers. The exceptions would be some local trains, where bikes are just leaned against a padded area that is meant mainly for people standing during rush hour, and a few trains in which the hooks are only a bit above waist height. All in all I'm a big fan of being able to travel with my bike by train. An hour or two brings me to the mountains, and I don't have to end my ride where it started. A yearly bike pass costs about $220. Ned |
Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
On Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 10:54:10 AM UTC-4, Joerg wrote:
Thinking about doing rides farther away without carting the bike there in my car. Or riding out farther and using a bus for some of the way back. Buses out here have racks for two bikes up front, like this: http://www.sacbike.dreamhosters.com/...us_No_2395.jpg Unfortunately the top-holding bar goes over the front wheel where the emergency dynamo is on my road bike instead of over the seat. Ok, I can remove that dynamo. However, both my road bike and my MTB are "rear-heavy" with panniers that contain lots of water, tools and such. Are they still safe in those racks? The other question is, El Dorado Transit and others state to "remove panniers and other baggage to allow safe operation of the bus". My panniers look detachable but they are not, there is a lot of stuff underneath that bolts and cinches them in place. What's your experience? -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ You're most lkely SOL with nom-removable panniers. I don't know of any bus transit that allows panniers to be left on the bicycle. Another thing to consider (if they did allow the loaded panniers to stay on the bike)is the potential for damage to your wheels as the bike moves sideways with those heavily loaded panniers whilst the bicycle wheels move side to side a bit when the bus isin motion. YMMV and probably does. BTW, since some of the bus routes hereabouts goes onto a 60mph highway, I use an Arno strap to help secure the bike to the bus front rack. I know that even a hard bump won't cause the bike to leave the rack if the front wheel hook on the bus rack were to fail. Cheers |
Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
On 2017-09-17 08:08, Ned Mantei wrote:
On 17-09-17 16:54, Joerg wrote: Thinking about doing rides farther away without carting the bike there in my car. Or riding out farther and using a bus for some of the way back. Buses out here have racks for two bikes up front, like this: http://www.sacbike.dreamhosters.com/...us_No_2395.jpg Unfortunately the top-holding bar goes over the front wheel where the emergency dynamo is on my road bike instead of over the seat. Ok, I can remove that dynamo. However, both my road bike and my MTB are "rear-heavy" with panniers that contain lots of water, tools and such. Are they still safe in those racks? The other question is, El Dorado Transit and others state to "remove panniers and other baggage to allow safe operation of the bus". My panniers look detachable but they are not, there is a lot of stuff underneath that bolts and cinches them in place. What's your experience? The Swiss way is to have hooks from which you hang the bike by the front wheel. This is common on both buses and on trains. And that means removing panniers. ... That would be a no-go for me so I'd have to use my car like I do now. Especially on an MTB you can't have panniers that are just slung over the rack. Everything must be bolted and cinched in place or it goes flying on the trail. The exceptions would be some local trains, where bikes are just leaned against a padded area that is meant mainly for people standing during rush hour, and a few trains in which the hooks are only a bit above waist height. All in all I'm a big fan of being able to travel with my bike by train. An hour or two brings me to the mountains, and I don't have to end my ride where it started. A yearly bike pass costs about $220. We don't have deals like that here but public buses have come a long way in the last five years for our county. Light rail allows bikes inside so no problem. Buses unfortunately not. The other challenge is that you can't count on availability for the way back. If both racks are occupied you are screwed, have to pedal back and be late. So I'd only use it for the way out even though that's downhill. -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ |
Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
On 2017-09-17 08:26, Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 10:54:10 AM UTC-4, Joerg wrote: Thinking about doing rides farther away without carting the bike there in my car. Or riding out farther and using a bus for some of the way back. Buses out here have racks for two bikes up front, like this: http://www.sacbike.dreamhosters.com/...us_No_2395.jpg Unfortunately the top-holding bar goes over the front wheel where the emergency dynamo is on my road bike instead of over the seat. Ok, I can remove that dynamo. However, both my road bike and my MTB are "rear-heavy" with panniers that contain lots of water, tools and such. Are they still safe in those racks? The other question is, El Dorado Transit and others state to "remove panniers and other baggage to allow safe operation of the bus". My panniers look detachable but they are not, there is a lot of stuff underneath that bolts and cinches them in place. What's your experience? -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ You're most lkely SOL with nom-removable panniers. I don't know of any bus transit that allows panniers to be left on the bicycle. Another thing to consider (if they did allow the loaded panniers to stay on the bike)is the potential for damage to your wheels as the bike moves sideways with those heavily loaded panniers whilst the bicycle wheels move side to side a bit when the bus isin motion. YMMV and probably does. Thanks. That means I'll have to keep using my car :-( One of those trips would be next week. There is a nice "race track style" bike path along a canal where you can really put the coals on and the last bus stop is only a few miles from where it starts. BTW, since some of the bus routes hereabouts goes onto a 60mph highway, I use an Arno strap to help secure the bike to the bus front rack. I know that even a hard bump won't cause the bike to leave the rack if the front wheel hook on the bus rack were to fail. Good idea. I've got some of those but if they don't allow panniers I can't use the bus. The bus does take a route along a 65mph highway. I could call them about my fixed panniers but in the end this is all at the discretion of the driver. If he or she says no it's no and then I'd get stuck. -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ |
Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
On Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 9:34:56 AM UTC-7, Joerg wrote:
On 2017-09-17 08:08, Ned Mantei wrote: On 17-09-17 16:54, Joerg wrote: Thinking about doing rides farther away without carting the bike there in my car. Or riding out farther and using a bus for some of the way back. Buses out here have racks for two bikes up front, like this: http://www.sacbike.dreamhosters.com/...us_No_2395.jpg Unfortunately the top-holding bar goes over the front wheel where the emergency dynamo is on my road bike instead of over the seat. Ok, I can remove that dynamo. However, both my road bike and my MTB are "rear-heavy" with panniers that contain lots of water, tools and such. Are they still safe in those racks? The other question is, El Dorado Transit and others state to "remove panniers and other baggage to allow safe operation of the bus". My panniers look detachable but they are not, there is a lot of stuff underneath that bolts and cinches them in place. What's your experience? The Swiss way is to have hooks from which you hang the bike by the front wheel. This is common on both buses and on trains. And that means removing panniers. ... That would be a no-go for me so I'd have to use my car like I do now. Especially on an MTB you can't have panniers that are just slung over the rack. Everything must be bolted and cinched in place or it goes flying on the trail. The exceptions would be some local trains, where bikes are just leaned against a padded area that is meant mainly for people standing during rush hour, and a few trains in which the hooks are only a bit above waist height. All in all I'm a big fan of being able to travel with my bike by train. An hour or two brings me to the mountains, and I don't have to end my ride where it started. A yearly bike pass costs about $220. We don't have deals like that here but public buses have come a long way in the last five years for our county. Light rail allows bikes inside so no problem. Buses unfortunately not. The other challenge is that you can't count on availability for the way back. If both racks are occupied you are screwed, have to pedal back and be late. So I'd only use it for the way out even though that's downhill. The problem with the train is that they only accept boxed bikes in the luggage car. Though I'm sure I remember just tying my bike against the wall none of my touring friends seem to remember that. |
Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
On Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 12:34:56 PM UTC-4, Joerg wrote:
Snipped That would be a no-go for me so I'd have to use my car like I do now. Especially on an MTB you can't have panniers that are just slung over the rack. Everything must be bolted and cinched in place or it goes flying on the trail. Snipped That's funny. I use my MTB to tour on really rough dirt roads and trails in Northern Ontario and I've NEVER had to bolt my panniers to the bike rack to keep the panniers from bouncing off. I do use an Arno strap to secure them though. I like to be able to remove my panniers QUICKLY if setting up camp in the rain. Cheers |
Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
DESIGN....WITH CARDBOARD TEMPLATE...an adapter plate between permanent hooking and bag hooking that is temporary....plate can be cut 1 piece tehn cut out for lightness
temp bag hookups made longer vertically wider hookup horizontally prob equal performance of the OEM design as OEM maybe cost derived. No, placing your defining luggage on bus front is mostly an imbecilic idea |
Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
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Front bike rack on buses, heavy bikes
Plate is .25 quality plywood..
Seasoned dry n carefully painted with Rustoleum esp end grain |
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