Transporting Bicycle

[Gsimpson2G]

So, how do you guys transport your bikes? I originally thought I would get a hitch style setup, but they wouldn't allow me to open my hatch. A roof setup is out of the question, never have liked the idea of mounting the bike way up high. So the only real option I have left that I see is putting it inside the X. I can't lay both seats down, have a carseat on the passenger side. Any suggestions? Is the X tall enough to stand the bike up inside of it?

[Jackal]

In the past I have put two adult bikes and one 20" kids bike inside the X with room for 3 people. The adult bikes had front wheels removed and I bungied the seat neck to the overhead handholds so they didn't tip over. Worked great.

Now, i use a Thule 956 hitch mount. This model tips back to allow hatch access. There are also other carriers that swing away too.

[bernasty]

There are hitch mount racks and fold down. I am saving up for one right now.

For now, I just take the front wheel off and put one back seat down. I place the bike with the front forks facing the back of the xterra. There are two strap hooks or maybe they're for car seats or something, but they're in the floor and i use those to attach my strap...Then I just tighten it down across the top tube. I'll try to take a picture next time I go and upload it for you.

[Jackal]

If you are looking to save your hard earned dough, try craigslist. Bike racks are always on there.

[intender]

I also have one of the tilting hitch carriers and it does the job. Only thing about them is that they can get quite heavy to lift back up with 3 or 4 bikes on it, but its not that big of a deal.

[Txterror]

i made a interior bike mount for mine yesterday using some square tube i bought at home depot. also got a front fork holder and wheel holder off amazon. got the idea from somewhere on this site but cant remember where. should try the search for a interior bike rack.

[Dbrown016]

ill post up some pictures of my homemade roof rack mount. Its basically just a fork mount that is connected tot he plastic roof basket. The rear tire sits on the rear cross bar and is U-bolted into place. I love it and it only took me about 30 minutes to think of the idea and put it all together with the hardware i had. Takes about 15 min to put on., Would be faster but i took my roof basket off to mount the bolts onto it.

[SamsXE]

Im not a huge fan of throwing dirty bikes in my truck after a day of riding...especially if I have a friend or 2 with me.

Hitch mount is the only way to go for the dirt-scooters. Mine is a Yakima I believe. I can take some pics when I get home. It holds 4 bikes, locks to the hitch, and there is a cable lock on the end of the rack.

I would go for the roof mount, except who wants to put bikes on a roof? Not me...

[Coproscefalo]

I currently use a 3 bike carrier from Allen Sports (hitch mounted and foldable), got it cheap at Amazon (~$50 back then, the models have changed and so do prices).

Prior to that I tied the frame to the pet guard divider that came w/ my X, but had to remove the tires so it would fit.
Pro: is that the bike is more "secure" on the inside.
Cons: You can only fit around 2 bikes (probably 3, but never tried...), interior gets dirty.

[Dbrown016]

couple of pics of how i transport my bike on my roof. Cant stand putting a muddy bike inside of my car. Plus the mud dries and gets my subwoofer box all dirty and its jsut a mess. Plus a roof mount might give you an excuse to get a rear hatch safari ladder