Bikes Aboard . . . Again

[SaucySailoress]

Vision.... When you have a heavy load on the handlebars, do you have to be careful when you stop at a red light so that the saddle doesn't lift up with a jolt when you take your weight off it.....

[landlockedgm]

The bike rack on the rail is ingenious! How does the bike fair?

[rebel heart]

We have a rear rack and equipped (re: zip tied) two tupperware containers to it. They fit great, are easy to clean and remove (and re-attach). We put little holes in the bottom for draining, and the lids fit on the top to keep rain out when needed.

[off-the-grid]

Randyonr3 - Same here. Haven't really done a real ride yet, but so fare not impressed with the way it rides. But I guess it just is what it is. The real bike just wouldn't fit. I have the same problem. I did a few grocery runs back in the spring, even with the full size bike, where I was so overloaded, it looked like I was touring. I found a smaller pannier, I'm going to get shich should fit. I'd never be able to really load up the big ones I have on that little bike anyway.

Aaza Dana - That's a lot of work to do every time you want to go for a ride. No thanks. May work for storing it, but it's still gotta be a huge PITA to bring to shore in the dink...unless you have a bigger boat and much bigger dink than me.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by landlockedgm

The bike rack on the rail is ingenious! How does the bike fair?

Yes, there is some concern about rust. I wouldn't chose your best road bike and lots of oil helps. So does a fresh water wash down after a rough crossing. Still, in my experience, a good thrift-store road bike generally does better than the finest folder. In my case, I have so many older road bikes from many years of riding, they are free and are MUCH better than folders.

I posted this (Sail Delmarva: How to Carry Bicycles Without Origami) on my blog, which includes a picture of my rack.

I suppose a full-size bike is a load in a hard dink, but if you have an inflatable they seem OK just draped across the front (towel underneith).

No, I don't think bike racks are right for everybody, but I am surprised they are not more common.

[off-the-grid]

What size dink do you have?

I have a 9' inflatable and still was a deal breaker. Although from your description the non folding bike would probably take up less room than the full size folding bike.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by grunzster

What size dink do you have?

I have a 9' inflatable and still was a deal breaker. Although from your description the non folding bike would probably take up less room than the full size folding bike.

I would say, try a regular bike in your tender and decide for yourself - honestly, it's a compromise either way. Our boats (PDQ 32 / Gemini) are very similar and our tenders (9' inflatable) are the same.

Yeah, they hang all across the front of the tender and I only do it in calm harbors.

[off-the-grid]

I would if I still had one, but too late now.

[donradcliffe]

I find that the front wheel on the 16" Dahon is low enough that you can hang all the plastic grocery bags on the handlebars without getting them caught on the wheel or spokes. I have ridden short distances with over 50 pounds hanging from the handlebars.