fromabuick6

I was test riding recumbents today. I kind of like the feel of the LWB models, but not quite sure how I would transport it on my car if I take it for club rides etc. One bike I rode, the Rans V3, sort of a medium wheel-base model, is built so that it actually would fit on my rear rack, and it's pretty light. Unfortunately it's way out of my price range. I also have a Yakima top rack, which would hold a SWB bike, but not LWB bikes.
I'm not wanting to buy a pickup truck just to haul a bike around, so I'm wondering how those with LWB 'bents transport them on their cars.

10 Wheels

SUV or a Van: She puts this one in the back.

Domromer

With a yakima bighorn 4. I regularly haul 2 recumbents and a mt bike with no problems.

sanitycheck

I just ride the bike to wherever I want to transport it.

ken cummings

I had a long wheelbase trike and a friend agreed to help me take it to a far away event. He used a roof rack with slots on each side for the front wheels and a tandem extension on the rear of a third, center channel for the tail wheel. As the big yellow and blue fairing looked like it belonged on the Bonneville Salt Flats we got a lot of stares going up I-70.

Depending on your machine a tandem rack might do the trick.

CW Spook

I use this one.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4411

Floyd

I haul mine on the back with a regular rack...you may have to take the wheels off but with quick release that is no biggie. I even have a Linear which is bout as long as you get and it only sticks out a little on each side even with the wheels on. You do however have to figure out how to "tie the bike'' to the rack since they are not specifically made for long bikes.

mchell

We use this for a Rans Screamer tandem, and/or, a Catrike "Road" and/or a Specialized MTB. A sweet system!

https://www.draftmaster.com/

Hank244

I use this carrier to haul my XXL RANS Stratus XP on the back of my Honda Civic. Of course, I take off the front wheel. It works very well on my little car.

https://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/...ory=1155062751

https://www.alpacacarriers.com/

jeffh129

I too use an Alpaca carrier for my Rans crankforward and my Bacchetta Cafe recumbent. Works great.

fromabuick6

Thanks for all the input. Domromer, what is the upside down bike in the picture?

bobkat

I have a V3 and haul it easily with a hitch carrier I welded up myself. Hauled a LWB Burley before that.
But there are plenty of carriers built commercially that will carry a LWB bike.
My wife's Prius cannot have a trailer hitch on it so with some aluminum I built a 'hitch socket" that bolts underneath and eairly carries two LWB bikes crossways on it, using a coule Yakima racks bolted on to an aluminum frame I welded up. I use a 'fork grabber' on this one to shorten the length of the LWB bike as the Prius is not as wide as my other car. But works great.

fromabuick6

BobKat, how do you like the V3? Which one do you have?

Domromer

It's my EZ sport. My recumbents seem to haul better upside down from a rack like mine.

Dchiefransom

I use the Performance Xport 2 bike hitch rack. It's made for them by Hollywood. I bought the Hollywood LWB extension arms for it and it takes my Stratus LE without having to turn my front wheel around.
For a savings on price, you might check bentrideronline.com for used bikes. My Rans dealer, Nanda Holz at spincyclz.com has some Ex-Lovers listed at his site. One is a Formula LE, that gives you a similar position to the V3, but is going for $1,350.

bobkat

I have the V3Ti, custom built on a Rans frameset! Love it!
Also have a Burley which is a solid nice ride, like a 58 Caddy! The Rans is a Sportscar! Or an F22 compared to a 747!
A great bike!

fromabuick6

I test rode the V3 Ti, remarkable bike, but out of my price range. I was thinking of perhaps the aluminum version. In searching previous posts, someone said the V3 doesn't work well with long legs, anyone found this to be the case?

Has Rans quit making the V2 formula? There are some good deals out there, would like to try and test ride one of those also.

Dchiefransom

Hostel Shoppe is still building them up for sale. They have them with the 26" and 20" front wheels.

https://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/...ategory=104000

Mentor58

I use a plain old Sardis Bones trunk rack for all my bikes. The TE goes on upside down, that helps with the weight distribution, and keeps the seat out of the wind. I don't bother to pull the wheels off usually, it extends just a little bit (8 - 10 inches) outside my Impala, but the parts that extend out are up around the window line of the car, so I'm aware of it.

I'll post a pic tonight when I get home.

M58

rsbeach

I built a carrier for my Stratus that rides on my Thule rack. Added another for my wife's Tailwind. About $50 in material and works great. A little overkill, perhaps, but I don't like to take chances. Plans are here - no pix yet.

www.bobbeach.com/bikerack

cobentmax

With a Longbikes Slipstream I remove the seat and pedals, fold the handgrips and tuck it into the back of my Honda Civic.