burningthighs

I've been digging online and saw mostly velcro straps or bungee cord options.
And I was just browsing walmart section yesterday and found this. I haven't tried it on the bike yet, but it looks promising.


Any neat alternatives you guys like so far?

https://imgur.com/a/lOeZp

Oldguyonoldbike

I have used those, but find that a bungee cord run through both wheels and hooked either to itself or to a bottle cage (to avoid scratching paint) works best for me.

Fastfingaz

Keep it simple,,,,,,

burningthighs

electric tape?

BobbyG

I no longer have an external rack, but for 27 years I used bungie cords.

wphamilton

I don't think it's really necessary since only the tire can bounce on anything and even that, lightly. But I do it anyway, using the end of the tie-down strap. Rim tied to downtube.

burningthighs

I thought that until my wife started riding short distances with me. When I put two bikes on the track together, I am afraid movement of the front tires could damage the spokes on the other bike.

I think that;s the location I am gonna try this rubber tie next time we go out to ride.

burningthighs

it must have worked fine. It could have saved me a few pennies

02Giant 

My bike rack is a wheel cradle type so no issues. The one I put on my daughters car is a frame hanger, I provided a velcro strap.

gringomojado

Did you buy your bike there? (to open a can of worms)

Ironfish653

I use a big-ass velcro strap from the front wheel to the downtube.

The maniacs that SAG for us use old innertubes. They're just stretchy enough to keep everything snug without bouncing, and since it's a 4-bike rack, it can reach through or around whatever combination of bikes is on there. And with ~100 bikes on the road, there's always used innertubes around.

The 'Spirit of The Tour' is a '99 Excursion with 4-bike racks front and rear, 4 external 5-gallon water coolers, and enough granola bars to sink a ship. Crewed by a couple of happy maniacs from Wisconsin.

jefnvk

My rack is a fork mount roof, but I've been meaning to buy one of these for the repair stand. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for a rack if you're worried: https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-HBH-2-Handle-Holder/dp/B000QSXPL2

JanMM

I use that product in a shorter size to secure my panniers to my rack on my commute bike.

burningthighs

no, but my first one was. Didn't last too long for sure.

burningthighs

I actually saw that one on some youtube video for repair purposes, then I thought why not use it for holding the wheel straight on a rack.. Read up a little on it and it will not be too secure and fly off the bike unless you get another strap to strap that to the bike. Also, some reviews said that if your top tube is slanted, it won't fit as prettily as it would with straight tube.

burningthighs

seems like most people go with velcro or bungee cord. I could have tried those, but these caught my eyes for some reason. I will find out how good it is pretty soon.

bulldog1935

a velcro strap works great

Hardrock23

I use a velcro strap around my bars & the rack. Holds tightly so the front wheel/bars don't sway. Then i use a hair tie on the wheel by the fork end to keep it from spinning. I tried to use the velcro on the wheel/downtube but it still swayed too much.

dabac

I use a short bungee cord.

fietsbob

straps with buckles.. how about Surly Junk Straps, Shopper?

GravelMN

Any of the above methods work well. I often have 2-3 bikes on the back rack at a time and have used mini-bungies, velcro straps and most recently the GearTies that the OP linked to. All work but I really like the GearTies, both for keeping front wheels (and thus handlebars) from flopping around, and for holding cranksets in positions to prevent damage to neighboring frames or components.

I like double-sided velcro straps also because they are multi-taskers. I keep a couple of 12" straps wrapped around my stem most of the time. They work well not only for transport but can also be used as parking brakes when leaning a bike against a wall or object, ankle straps to keep your pants out of the drivetrain when you go for a quick ride with the grandkids or on a milk run, or to hang a a rolled up jacket or vest under your top bar on those iffy weather days.

SloButWide 

I have one, and have used it, and went back to a bungee. Think of it as a big, thick twist tie. If it doesn't interfere with your derailleur cabling, it should work fine. I use a bungee because I like that the elasticity absorbs vibration and shocks.

9volt 

There is a foam covered tie down similar to what the op posted. The set I have works great and hasn't damaged paint. They also have threaded ends so you can screw them together to make longer tie downs.

These are similar but not the same as what I've been using: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Coated-.../dp/B00X4UB8FO

ramzilla

crank arms parallel to ground. hook bungee cord to a pedal. thread bungee cord through both wheels. and, hook other end to same pedal. that's it, that's all, done deal.

C9H13N 

I have a "Velket" which describes itself as "The Velcro Tourniquet". It's a rubber strap with Velcro on it. It's fairly useless as a tourniquet, but it's perfect for immobilizing front wheels. Just the right size, doesn't slip or scratch because it's made of rubber, and it's cheap and lightweight.