We are all crazy about the concept of cycling in our spare time. Sometimes it happens when you have to fit a bike in a car. Maybe you are commuting, going on a trip, or riding a mountain bicycle on the dusty local paths. It’s the time when fitting your bicycle in the car becomes a problem. Is it possible to fit a bike into a car?
Moving your bicycle in the car is really not rocket science. However, it does require basic knowledge. It requires a little disassembly and adjustment to keep both your bicycle and car in good condition. We have come up with a brief beginner’s tutorial on how to fit a bike into a car to make everything a bit simpler. Without any ado, let’s get started!
How to Fit a Bike In a Car [Easy Steps]
Get Your Bike Clean
Cleaning the bicycle before storing it is always a great idea. Wet wipes and towels are the perfect tools for the task. You don’t want any filth on the car’s fabric, which is far more difficult to clean. Bikes are frequently not only filthy but also greasy on the chains and cogs. Although the lubricant is not hard to clean, it is not the simplest to get rid of.
Carry some wet wipes with you and wipe down your bicycle after you use it. Remove the dirt from the frame and wheels using wet wipes. Then, quickly take a clean wet towel and wipe it down.
Remove the Wheels
Many cars have sufficient room inside to accommodate a bike without removing the wheels. Several minivans and SUVs have enough capacity to fit your bicycle inside, with no need to remove the wheels. However, for most automobiles, such as compact sedans, you will need to remove your bicycle’s wheels. It reduces the size of your bicycle and makes it simple to transport.
Removing your bicycle’s wheel is a simple process. The first step you should do is move down to the lowest gear to prevent the chain from being too tight. To remove the wheels from the frame, take the quick-release levers that come packaged with most bicycles.
Pack the Back Seats
If your car’s back seats are adjustable, pull them down to create space for the bicycle. It allows you to put your bicycle into the trunk as well as into the rear seat. It’s helpful if you have a longer bicycle. It makes room for longer bicycles by freeing up longitudinal space.
Use a sheet or perhaps newspaper to cover the trunk and rear of the seats once you have made some room. You’ll be grateful afterward, considering how much dirt and filth you would gather up on a trip. It’ll make cleaning up after a dirty or damp ride much simpler.
Take Care of the Brakes
It’d be a pity to arrive at your destination only to discover that you are unable to pedal because your brakes were locked during the drive. It’s a good idea to keep some brake plugs on hand if your bike features disc brakes. It prevents the levers from becoming pressed while driving to your location.
You face the danger of messing up your brake calipers if you do not even follow this safety measure. In the worst-case scenario, your brakes would become stuck, leaving you unable to pedal. You’ll need to pull the calipers off or even re-bleed the hydraulic disc brakes to fix this.
Related: Tips To Brake When Cycling Downhill
Bend the Handlebars
If you want to put your bicycle into the car’s rear seat without utilizing the bonnet, you will have to turn your bike’s handlebars. By bending its handlebars, you may end up making your bicycle a bit shorter, which can usually be all that is required to place it on the rear seat.
“Dry up” Side
To prevent damaging your bicycle while driving, it’s absolutely vital to put your bicycle with the ‘dry’ side facing up. Carefully keep the frame with the ‘dry’ side up while transporting it. This side relates to the side of your bicycle that contains chains, brakes, and derailleurs.
You don’t want to put excessive stress on the components that really control the bicycle, do you? It may result in long-term damage and also a reduction in the bicycle’s performance. Don’t load your bicycle into the car with the gears facing down. Gears are filthy and can leave marks on your car. It is just a slight blunder that you will only have to do once. Simply make sure your gears are pointing up.
It’s not sufficient to just turn the ‘dry’ side upright. It is usually a perfect idea to keep the side fully empty and free of any unnecessary stuff. When you need to place the bicycle vertically, the same rules apply.
Wheels as Cushions
It is the most simple step of the procedure. After you’ve carefully placed the frame, it’s time to cushion your bicycle with the wheels where they’ll be most convenient. Take advantage of the wheels to buffer any parts of the frame if the car is upright. The goal is to hold everything as tight as possible. Roads near biking paths may get rough, so you don’t want any undesirable scratch marks on your car or your bike.
Focus on issues related to the parts of the bicycle that are prone to bouncing during transportation. You may need to strengthen the bicycle with extra materials, such as old newspapers. It decreases the possibility of harm. Now you are ready to go!
Final Words
So, what is the ideal method for a bike in a car? Fitting the bike in a car is no life-or-death situation. It is possible with some patience and effort. It is a pretty easy task if you give close attention to the methods and steps outlined above.
You must also take care not to hurry, because it may cause you to lose several important components. We suggest that you for the best results. You will need to enhance your knowledge and skills by doing mock installations on a regular basis.
If you follow the guidelines provided above, you will experience no trouble to fit a bike in a car. That’s all. Now you and your bicycle are on your way to discover new routes. Have fun riding!