Securing bikes to car racks

[gasinayr]

Here is an easy way of keeping your bike secure on a rack if you have to leave the car for a short time.
PETS AT HOME do plastic coated steel cables for tethering dogs to those spike things that you screw into the ground
They do them in 3,6 or 9 metre lengths
Pass the cables through the wheels, seat rails and frame of bikes on rack then put ends of cable in car doors. Clip both ends together inside car and close doors, job done
Can also be used for securing rack to car while your are away on the bikes, saves removing and refitting it.

 

[Globalti]

Just dismantle the bike and put it inside the car where it's safe and away from road salt and rain and low barriers.

It's amazing how often you see people driving around in empty cars with a bike stupidly displayed like a trophy on a roof rack.

 

[DRHysted]

Just dismantle the bike and put it inside the car where it's safe and away from road salt and rain and low barriers.

It's amazing how often you see people driving around in empty cars with a bike stupidly displayed like a trophy on a roof rack.

This reminds me of the time a person at work told me I didn't need a big car as I was always alone when he saw me (this was before I started commuting by bike). At this point I pointed out he didn't know me, didn't know what I did outside work, didn't know what I used my car for, and as such didn't know what I needed.
When I see a bike on the outside of a car, I don't tend to think it's stupid, in fact I don't think anything about it, because I'm not them and don't know why they have done it.

 

[Globalti]

When I first started mountain biking I thought I had to have a roof rack and I went and wasted a lot of money on one. It took me two trips to realise that as a batchelor I was driving around in an empty car, inside which the bike would be far safer. I don't mind admitting that I was stupid.

 

[Dave7]

When I first started mountain biking I thought I had to have a roof rack and I went and wasted a lot of money on one. It took me two trips to realise that as a batchelor I was driving around in an empty car, inside which the bike would be far safer. I don't mind admitting that I was stupid.

Similar (but not quite as bad).
I purchased a bike rack as me and a mate "often" go cycling together. Later I realised that when I go on my own I can put the bike inside. So effectively I have paid £150.00 so I can carry his bike.......duh!!!

 

[vickster]

You could even put both bikes inside...

 

[Drago]

When I first started mountain biking I thought I had to have a roof rack and I went and wasted a lot of money on one. It took me two trips to realise that as a batchelor I was driving around in an empty car, inside which the bike would be far safer. I don't mind admitting that I was stupid.

so now the bike goes on the leather, and you sit on the roof frantically steering with your feet through the window?

 

[Globalti]

We can get three adults plus bikes dismantled inside my estate car and four + four if two of them are kids.

 

[ufkacbln]

When you have four people with luggage, wheelchair, wheelchair hoist and a load of other equipment then carrying a trike needs a roof rack

I have simply used the same chain that I use in the garage around the frame and the car's permanent roof bars

 

[migrantwing]

Bit difficult when you have a small, two door hatchback full of camping gear!

 

[Dogtrousers]

I can get my bike inside the car if I put the back seats down and take both wheels off. Which is significantly more faff than putting the bike carrier on the roof bars, so being lazy I use the roof carrier. But the OP is about security. I have a Thule something or other bike roof carrier which has locks built in which may deter a passer-by but I've seen CCTV videos of yoofs removing a bike from a locked Thule carrier in seconds (probably findable on youtube). The only time I leave it unattended on the car roof is in motorway service stations, and then only for the shortest time possible.

 

[jiberjaber]

I also have a Thule with the key locks etc, but I also use a cable lock through the chain ring and car roof bars when I need to stop. Its an additional level of security if I need to pop in to the loo at services, but I wouldn't use it permanently - just for very short stops..

 

[ufkacbln]

I can get my bike inside the car if I put the back seats down and take both wheels off. Which is significantly more faff than putting the bike carrier on the roof bars, so being lazy I use the roof carrier. But the OP is about security. I have a Thule something or other bike roof carrier which has locks built in which may deter a passer-by but I've seen CCTV videos of yoofs removing a bike from a locked Thule carrier in seconds (probably findable on youtube). The only time I leave it unattended on the car roof is in motorway service stations, and then only for the shortest time possible.

How does your car drive wth the two wheels off?

 

[oldroadman]

Aside from the security issue, what about the extra running cost? having a big wind obstruction on the roof (or hanging on to a tow ball) just about wrecks the aerodynamic design of any vehicle. Much better inside n estate if possible, or in my own case the boot with both wheels out. No more time (undo 2 x qr, support chain with old bungee - done) than clamping on to a rack, less fuel use, nicer handling, I never saw riders travelling solo or as a pair who had a bike on the outside of the car in my race days, unless it was one belonging to a team and they had the fuel card!

 

[DRHysted]

Aside from the security issue, what about the extra running cost? having a big wind obstruction on the roof (or hanging on to a tow ball) just about wrecks the aerodynamic design of any vehicle. Much better inside n estate if possible, or in my own case the boot with both wheels out. No more time (undo 2 x qr, support chain with old bungee - done) than clamping on to a rack, less fuel use, nicer handling, I never saw riders travelling solo or as a pair who had a bike on the outside of the car in my race days, unless it was one belonging to a team and they had the fuel card!

When traveling to Scotland Mine has to travel on the roof, I have a folding camper on the tow bar, and the car full of dogs. The fuel economy drops from 42 to 32 (ish this is the lowest recorded it is sometimes higher).
When traveling to friends in North Yorkshire the bike uses a towbar rack because I'm not allowed to transport the dogs outside so the bike can be inside. Here the fuel economy goes up from 42 to 44-46.

My car always has a roof box on as contrary to what you're told I have found no alteration of fuel economy (I get more change due to ambient temperature), and the folding camper weighs 1 tonne. My car is a 2002 Mondeo Diesel with 92000 on the clock and produces her best mpg in 5th gear at 68-70mph.