On 2018-08-25 11:39, AMuzi wrote:
On 8/25/2018 1:22 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 8/24/2018 2:09 PM, Joerg wrote:
On 2018-08-24 09:21, Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Friday, August 24, 2018 at 11:25:58 AM UTC-4, Sir
Ridesalot
wrote:
On Friday, August 24, 2018 at 10:35:42 AM UTC-4, Joerg
wrote:
Couldn't believe it. Those great agency folks obviously
didn't
test the bike racks for our local buses before signing the
contract. Long story short my 29er bike didn't fit in
and neither
did my friend's. Luckily the driver was patient and
helpful. We
had to load the bikes reversed so the hook goes over
the rear
wheel. Not easy because of my panniers but worked,
somehow. The
front wheels now rode up on the other side of the rack
slot. We
both had bungee cords with which we strapped them down
as hard as
we could. Oh, and the slot width barely fit my 2.25"
wide MTB
tires barely squeezed in and I had to push down hard.
The rack
looks like this:

https://ixquick-proxy.com/do/spg/sho...8df2678ec2064b





When we arrived another rider put his 26" MTB on there on
even that
barely fit in (rear wheel rode up half an inch).

Does anyone know a better "strap down" method that is
faster
than wrapping a bungee around rim and rack numerous times?

-- Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

You should look into getting a few Cohglans Arno Straps.
They are
like super long nylon toestraps and have a metal buckle
that does
not fall apart when reefed really tight. I'ved used them
to secure
a recliner rocker chair to my rear bike rack. I also use
them for
fastening everything to the bike when touring. In
addition to that
I use them for holding the rolled up sleeping bag, tent
etcetera
instead of having to fumble with laces etcetera. Here's
a link to
an actual card with two Arno straps on it.

https://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/...9227/cat101260





Aha, Arno straps! Thanks, those look very good. They can
also come in handy when something structural breaks on the
bike during a trail ride.




You can get them in lengths of 36" to 60". The straps are
3/4" wide.

Cheers

Addendum

I forgot to mention that I use those Arno Straps to
secure my
mountain bicyle to the front rack on our inter-city bus.
It's great
insurance for when the bus is running at highway speeds.


On the freeway the bus driver really stepped on it and
actually passed a tour bus. I was concerned that the
handlebar of my bike might smash a front window on the bus
but despite being just 2" from it that didn't happen. He
took corners Mario Andretti style and luckily neither bike
flew out sideways. The bungees were all that was holding
them sideways to the bus depending on curve direction
(away from the hook).

If I was an engineer on the design review for such a rack
(they don't seem to hold any design reviews ...) I'd
insist that there are wheel hooks for front and rear
wheel. And, of course, slots long enough for 29ers and
27-1/2 bikes. In fact, then you could leave the slots open
to the curb side making loading and unloading much easier
for older riders who can't lift a bike upwards while bent
over (something even young people should avoid).

Don't forget to design for small wheel, short wheelbase
shopping bikes. And for long wheelbase "flatfoot" bikes. For
short wheelbase and long wheelbase recumbents. For
recumbents with 20" wheels and 700c wheels. For under-seat
steering and above-seat steering. For tandems, including
conventional, small wheel, and recumbent. For tall bikes and
for antiques, including high wheelers. (Most of those are
very valuable.) For carbon fiber frames as well as metal.
For folding bikes, especially if carrying packs, because
those frequently can't go into the bus. For electric assist
bikes, and electric powered bikes.

Don't worry about unicycles. This is a BIcycle discussion
group.


But don't forget the rolling zeppelins.


More true than you know, Frank.

Sold a wheel tray type hitch-mount car carrier last week to a guy who
came back because the retaining strap for the downtube would not span
the 6"x10" downtube on his XMart internal battery wonder toy. O Tempora!
O Mores!

As it turns out, the Saris polymer strap-buckle thingy can be doubled up
nose-to-toe and we stock them anyway.

https://66e2197c1fdd000748fd-b9614b5.../15539_700.jpg


Most bus passengers won't show up with E-bikes because the driver is not
allowed to assist with loading and those things are heavy. Straps aren't
a problem because they clamp a wheel. However, slot length will
increasingly problematic on not so well designed racks like they are
used on our buses.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/