How do you carry your mountain bike?

OK, obviously the simple answer is "Buy a Bike Carrier and mount it in the hitch."

But here is my situation. Runner just barley fits in the garage. Anything added to the hitch is going to need to be un-added every time I park in the garage which is daily. Not excited about installing hitch, loading bike, yadda yadda yadda, return home, unload bike, remove hitch, store both then repeat.

I need to be riding a lot for health reasons so I want to simplify the system.

I do have a motorcycle carrier that I can put into the hitch and mount a bicycle on so that option is free but comes with all of the above inconveniences.

Another option is to fold the rear seats down and throw it in the back. Anyone do this? If so how beat up does the interior get? How beat up does the bike get over time?

Anyone drop the rear window and put a pad over the rear hatch and carry a bike like many do in a pick up truck, with the front wheel hanging out the back?

Also, I am currently riding a light weight stripped down ridged mountain bike but giving serious thought to picking up a FS eBike. Anyone carrying an eBike? If so, what method are you using and how much has the weight impacted the way you transport the bike.

Just looking for input from folks that have already been down this road and figured out what works for them, what they would do different etc...

Thanks

 

I ride mine several times a week, between several different cars and use a 1up. Had a Kuat before that and the 1up is a superior rack for sturdiness, not so for user friendliness. But it mounts and unmounts very quickly. Not sure how much room you have, but it also only takes up about 6” when folded up. In my experiance loading and unloading in the back tends to beat up the back panels, bumper, and risk chain grease stains. Better to leave that for the trucks.

Anyway, let me know if you want to see photos of my setup or anything.

 

https://www.yakima.com/activity/bike

Can't go to far wrong starting with the link above

 

So never the Runner, always the Acura... I bet it is easier to put them in the hatch than in the Runner due to the lower height as well. Thank you for the input.

 

That could work. I leave my Beavertail in which is right at six inches so it sounds like the 1up would work for me.

 

Thank you, I will take a look.

 

I use a Kuat NV

 

Same here!!

 

So far, looking at videos of all the suggestions I am diggin the 1up

 

1up is nice.

 

They are nice racks. As I said, could use a bit of work in user friendliness, but I go off road with my bikes a lot, and there is no beating them for that. Pricey though, think I was about $750 in after locks, fat bike kit, blah, blah, blah.

 

Sit's higher than I'd like but a few extra bungee's keep her secure to the rack when off road

 

I put the bike away and put the rack away as well.i don't want the rack left out in the elements. It's really no big deal and takes maybe an extra 30 seconds to do. An inexpensive rack that I have that gets great reviews is the Hollywood. I've been using it for two years with zero issues.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike...BI9m7T2p829j9jpccA7vOJVnD-Wr3UcwaAoYHEALw_wcB

 

In the market for a platform style hitch rack now. Had a hanging style hitch rack, but the catch for the tilt-pin failed on the highway letting my all carbon road bike strike the pavement Cracked the seat stays and fork, both of which are just garage art now.

Before I bought my T4R, I ran into a guy at the trail who had a T4R with his MTB stored in the back. He had the second row laid flat and the bike fit in perfectly standing up with the front wheel removed. He let me throw in my large sized, 29+ MTB in and it fit in there fine as well, though I had to put the seat post down. Road bikes would have to lay down or pull the seat post (unless you had a mast) which seemed like more trouble than what it’s worth.

The 1 up’s, Kuat’s, Thule’s and Yakima’s are all nice, though I would highly recommend a platform style based on my experience.

 

Ton's of great info here folks. Thank you.

 

1Up for the win.

 

Picked up a Thule Helium Pro a few weeks ago. Only needed to carry 3 bikes. It is rock solid. Hitch lock and cable lock are included and ready to go.

 

I use this:
Was on sale for $500 over memorial day. It's not on sale now...

 

I use a Yakima that can hold 4 bikes. It works and it was free

 

Hey if anyone has a Thule 9034 pro for sale lmk I’m very interested
J

 

i use Kuat Sherpa its light weight about 30Lb and take it off and put back on with no problem check them out great bike racks.

 

Kuat NV is on mine but I don't have the tight space requirements.

 

Free Yakima carrier

 

Well I pulled the trigger on a Thule xt Pro 90203 they say it can carry 2 e-bikes will see
J

 

Man I forgot I started this thread. Took my forever but eventually I bought a 2020 Giant Trance E+1 Pro and then ordered the 1Up.

And since I waited so long, they actually made some improvements or at least changes so I bought the newest version.

I only have a one bike rack for now. Kind of doubt I will ever need to carry more than mine.

Thank you for your input everyone.

 

Bike looks killer. I need to invest in a new one (my GT was free)

 

Thank you. It was a financial stretch so I thought looooong and hard about it before I finally pulled the trigger. I am VERY happy with my choice.

 

Thought this was a "How do you carry your mountain bike?" thread not a "How do you carry your motorcycle?" Hey OHHHHHHH!!!

I see you are in Whittier, did you get your bike from Mike @ Fullerton?

I carry mine with a 12 year old Thule T2....I believe it's time for a nice 1UP!

 

LISTEN YOU LITTLE SNOT!!!! WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND BROKEN LIKE ME...... BLAH BLAH BLAH....

LOL.

Yes Mike at the Fullerton Shop. Great guy. Matter of fact, every one in the shop has been helpful and great to deal with. But I kind of find that in every LBS. If you are into and interested in bikes they are more than happy to help you out.

 

LOL I'm also old but also FAT!

Mike's in my Top 5! Great family over there!