Securing front wheel on rear-mounted bike rack

[LucyEliz]

I'm new to bike racks. Borrowed a rear-mounted one (a Halford's 3-bike 'high mount') from a friend. Fitted it and did first trial journey today. All went fine. The only point of concern is securing the front wheel so it's as immobilised as possible, for a long motorway trip. Does anybody have top tips for doing this? Or is it just simpler to avoid the problem entirely by taking the wheel off?

I secured mine with a bungee cord around the bottom of the wheel, secured to the rack, and one of the provided straps around the top. There was still a certain amount of movement, though.

Doh, the picture is the wrong way around...

[Cowsham]

Can you get another bungee around the top of the inside fork to that vertical bar on the rack

[cycleruk]

Is the red strap secured around something behind ? Otherwise it's doing nothing except stopping the wheel from revolving,
Fastening the red strap around the frame (down tube) as well as the wheel would stop the wheel/fork from twisting and more rigid.
Would removing the wheel and storing it in the car be of any use?

Putting both wheels in the car would lighten the bike and put less weight on the rack. This also allows the handlebars to turn inline with the frame and may be easier to secure the bike to the rack.

Watch out for the inside pedal contacting the car

P.S. It looks like the front wheel could possibly obscure the rear light which the boys in blue take a dim view of.
(unless you have a lighting/number plate board) .

[mattsccm]

To me the obvious is a toe strap around the carrier. A modern versio might be a length of the double sided velcro .

[Jdsk]

IMG_4425.jpg (63.11 KiB) Viewed 1273 times

[LucyEliz]

Thanks, all. Yes, another bungee around the fork would work better. I think taking the front wheel off is probs the way to go, though. And means no light is obscured!

[Brucey]

much as others have said I'd suggest that you also lash the front wheel to the DT of the bike

[cyclop]

Not clear how the rack is supposed to work.Can you post a pic of the rack without the bike?

[Jdsk]

much as others have said I'd suggest that you also lash the front wheel to the DT of the bike

Yes. My first step would be to remove any movement at the steering column. I use a strap (not a bungee) from the wheel rim to somewhere on the down tube. The further away the better, and under a bottle cage is often convenient.

Jonathan

[cycleruk]

If you do decide to take the wheel(s) out then put something between the brake pads to stop them closing up.
Guaranteed that something/someone will inadvertently operate a brake lever causing it to close up.

[LucyEliz]

Thanks everyone for these tips. Good thinking about getting a stiff strap to secure the wheel to the DT. I think for ease I will likely take the front wheel off.

I didn't realise the brake pads could close up - so I guess I should stick a piece of card in there.

[Brucey]

.......I didn't realise the brake pads could close up - so I guess I should stick a piece of card in there.

whatever you use it ought to be the exact same thickness as your brake discs.

[cycleruk]

Thanks everyone for these tips. Good thinking about getting a stiff strap to secure the wheel to the DT. I think for ease I will likely take the front wheel off.

I didn't realise the brake pads could close up - so I guess I should stick a piece of card in there.

You will need something thicker than the thickness of the discs and take a "tool" to insert between the pads just in case .

[Jdsk]

...
Good thinking about getting a stiff strap to secure the wheel to the DT. I think for ease I will likely take the front wheel off.
..

I don't understand why. That would require you to immobilise the fork or bars to the frame, and that isn't as easy as the wheel rim...

Jonathan

[slowster]

I didn't realise the brake pads could close up - so I guess I should stick a piece of card in there.

Shimano supply their hydraulic disc brakes with a spacer fitted to prevent the pistons/pads moving and closing up in the absence of a disc between them to keep them apart. Those spacers probably get binned by the bike manufacturer/shop when brakes are fitted and when bikes are assembled, but are useful to have for transporting or maintenance on a bike with wheels removed. You can buy the spacers for most models of caliper - https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/search/?ter ... nd=shimano.