Hauling tandem - bike racks?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hauling tandem - bike racks?
I have an Electra tandem DLX 7i arriving next week and am wondering the best way to transport it to a local trail ~ 10 miles away. I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna and don't want to put the bike on the roof. I have found the following racks -
https://www.houseoftandems.com/about...-cars-pg88.htm
The HOTT tandem rack is the more afforadable and looks simple enough to use. The Draftmaster looks more sophisticated. I don't know if the bike might fit inside my van. I have the captain style chairs to there is space up the middle all the way to the dashboard. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Dave
https://www.houseoftandems.com/about...-cars-pg88.htm
The HOTT tandem rack is the more afforadable and looks simple enough to use. The Draftmaster looks more sophisticated. I don't know if the bike might fit inside my van. I have the captain style chairs to there is space up the middle all the way to the dashboard. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Dave
#2
Ferengii
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Loveland, CO
Posts: 46
Bikes: Co-Motion tandem; Bilenky tandem; Trek Domane SL6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times
in
14 Posts
We use a Saris rack in our Sienna to transport our Co-Motion tandem. There’s plenty of room and it takes about two-three minutes to load and unload the bike.
Likes For ferengii:
#3
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 54
Bikes: DaVinci Joint Venture Ti S&S, DaVinci Symbiosis 27.5", Trek Emonda SLR 7, Motobecane Century Ti ETap AXS, Motobecane Fantom Ti hardtail, Diamondback Haanjo Carbon, Motobecane Fantom 4x4 29'er, SE F@R fatbike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I was going to recommend the Rocky Mounts Tandem Tailpipe from Tandems East (https://tandemseast.com/bike-racks/) but it looks like your tandem uses an internally geared hub which means taking the rear wheel off isn't practical for routine transport. While you don't have to remove the rear wheel to use this rack, since it hangs the bike from the top tube it allows you do remove both wheels, making the bike shorter. In the case of our medium-sized crossover, our bike doesn't stick out past the sides of the car with both wheels off. If you're good with the width of the bike, the House of Tandems rack looks like a nice solution and Ric and Marcia @ H.O.T. are great.
Likes For Alan_F:
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was going to recommend the Rocky Mounts Tandem Tailpipe from Tandems East (https://tandemseast.com/bike-racks/) but it looks like your tandem uses an internally geared hub which means taking the rear wheel off isn't practical for routine transport. While you don't have to remove the rear wheel to use this rack, since it hangs the bike from the top tube it allows you do remove both wheels, making the bike shorter. In the case of our medium-sized crossover, our bike doesn't stick out past the sides of the car with both wheels off. If you're good with the width of the bike, the House of Tandems rack looks like a nice solution and Ric and Marcia @ H.O.T. are great.
#6
Ferengii
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Loveland, CO
Posts: 46
Bikes: Co-Motion tandem; Bilenky tandem; Trek Domane SL6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times
in
14 Posts
We use the Saris Triple track:
https://www.saris.com/product/traps-triple
https://www.saris.com/product/traps-triple
Likes For ferengii:
#7
Ferengii
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Loveland, CO
Posts: 46
Bikes: Co-Motion tandem; Bilenky tandem; Trek Domane SL6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times
in
14 Posts
we often load two tandems when we travel with our tandem friends. That allows four people in the van (rear seats folded down) plus tandems down the middle.
Likes For ferengii:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,348
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 680 Post(s)
Liked 948 Times
in
555 Posts
I have an Electra tandem DLX 7i arriving next week and am wondering the best way to transport it to a local trail ~ 10 miles away. I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna and don't want to put the bike on the roof. I have found the following racks -
https://www.houseoftandems.com/about...-cars-pg88.htm
The HOTT tandem rack is the more afforadable and looks simple enough to use. The Draftmaster looks more sophisticated. I don't know if the bike might fit inside my van. I have the captain style chairs to there is space up the middle all the way to the dashboard. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Dave
https://www.houseoftandems.com/about...-cars-pg88.htm
The HOTT tandem rack is the more afforadable and looks simple enough to use. The Draftmaster looks more sophisticated. I don't know if the bike might fit inside my van. I have the captain style chairs to there is space up the middle all the way to the dashboard. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Dave
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks so much for posting the link and photo. I will be very excited if I can fit the Electra Tandem inside my Sienna van. The sarris rack looks very nice. Thanks!
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wanted to ask how the rack is mounted. Are there screws the go into the floor or back of the folded down seats? Do you leave the rack permanently installed. Looks like a simple way to go and I am only going to be hauling one bike so can get the 35" version. Looks like your bikes all have quick release front wheels. My tandem has a bolt on front wheel but I may replace with a quick release. Thanks!
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,606
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 581 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times
in
518 Posts
A customer at a shop where I worked used to put his tandem on his rear mounted rack, which resulted in the bike sticking a half meter out on ether side of the car.
Likes For ClydeClydeson:
#12
Full Member
I do the same on my Wrangler, I leave the tires on (now that the front has a motor hub). I just tie red cloth strips to each rim since it is an oversized load. Have not had any issues and I use bungee cords to minimize any frame or wheel movement. Most racks support heavier mountain bikes so the tandem weight should not be an issue.
Likes For kayakindude:
#13
Ferengii
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Loveland, CO
Posts: 46
Bikes: Co-Motion tandem; Bilenky tandem; Trek Domane SL6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times
in
14 Posts
Wanted to ask how the rack is mounted. Are there screws the go into the floor or back of the folded down seats? Do you leave the rack permanently installed. Looks like a simple way to go and I am only going to be hauling one bike so can get the 35" version. Looks like your bikes all have quick release front wheels. My tandem has a bolt on front wheel but I may replace with a quick release. Thanks!
Likes For ferengii:
#15
Junior Member
I have a Mazda5 mini-minivan and hang my tandem on a rear mounted Thule rack. I bungee front wheel to my clips. I also look at it from the front to even it out so it sticks out maybe 5 inches on either side.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 427
Bikes: Burley Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
10 Posts
Wanted to ask how the rack is mounted. Are there screws the go into the floor or back of the folded down seats? Do you leave the rack permanently installed. Looks like a simple way to go and I am only going to be hauling one bike so can get the 35" version. Looks like your bikes all have quick release front wheels. My tandem has a bolt on front wheel but I may replace with a quick release. Thanks!
Last edited by DCwom; 06-17-21 at 05:37 AM.
#17
Bike-train
I have a hollywood traveler frame bike rack that I put my tandem on. it sticks out about 6 inches with the rear tire; 8-12 inches with the front tire on. I don't take the tire off when I am transporting it within town. When I drove 90 minutes I did take off the front tire to make it easier to get down he road. Let me take a pic tomorrow when it is light outside so you can see what it looks like.
I originally purchased it 10 years ago to haul 3 mountain bikes but it works better for the tandem then the small cages of MTB.
https://hollywoodracks.com/collectio...nt=47046093382
I originally purchased it 10 years ago to haul 3 mountain bikes but it works better for the tandem then the small cages of MTB.
https://hollywoodracks.com/collectio...nt=47046093382
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Posts: 11
Bikes: Polygon Impression AX 2008, Polygon Helios 900X
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have tried to use the Rockbros rack with the suction cups thingy. It's actually perform better than I thought it will