Bus bike rack too short, how to strap in a bike quickly?

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/

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

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

Cheers

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

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.

Cheers

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).

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

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.

--
- Frank Krygowski

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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.


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

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 11:22:33 AM UTC-7, 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.

--
- Frank Krygowski

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

I've been seeing those long wheelbase pickup bikes more and more often.

On Friday, August 24, 2018 at 10:25:58 AM UTC-5, 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

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

Cheers

Never knew those had such an official formal name. Coghlans Arno Straps. I always just called them "straps with buckles on the end".

On 8/24/2018 7:27 PM, wrote:
On Friday, August 24, 2018 at 10:25:58 AM UTC-5, 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

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

Cheers

Never knew those had such an official formal name. Coghlans Arno Straps. I always just called them "straps with buckles on the end".


"Cam straps"

https://www.google.com/search?q=cam+...nt=firefox-b-1

On 8/24/2018 9:35 AM, 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?


Special bike = special accessories:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6P6logRiwo

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971