Bike
MTB
On The Ride: How To Boot Your Bike In A Car
On The Ride: How To Boot Your Bike In A Car
It can be tricky to fit a bike into a car neatly.
© Dean Koh
We’re all in love with the idea of spending our free time riding, the adrenaline racing through our veins, our legs burning with the effort as we shred one of the many mountain bike trails here in sunny Singapore. To get there, one could opt to ride there from anywhere on our tiny island. For those time strapped, and keen on rationing stamina, we’d opt to drive out to the trails instead.
The dedicated among us would have already went out there and got a car rack for transporting your bikes. If the size of your car permits, such as if you’ve got a family MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) or a hulking SUV (sport utility vehicle), you’d have the convenience of laying your mountain bike out flat with the rear seats folded down.
For those with niftier rides, such as a compact hatchback or sedan, packing your bike in might be a challenge akin to a game of Tetris. To help make things a little easier, we’ve put together a quick beginner’s guide on how you could pack a ride or two into your car.
Packing a bike is easier than it looks.
© Dean Koh
For demonstrative purposes, we’ve made use of this 1 Series, a compact hatchback from German carmaker BMW. For it to have any chance of accommodating a bike, you’d want fold down its rear seats to gain access to 1,200litres of real estate from the boot. And while the car’s long enough to accommodate a hardtail without removing any wheels, it’s not the most effective use of space, especially if you’re looking to ride in pairs. Consider also, the need for gear, such as your helmet, ice box of drinks (optional), and bags with change of clothes.
Fold down the rear seats for more space.
© Dean Koh
Ace The Space
1. Fold down the rear seats
It helps free up more space lengthwise for longer bikes. Line the boot and back of the seats with a mat or newspapers. Given how much mud and grime you’d pick up on a ride, you’ll be thankful later.
Removing the wheels makes packing easier.
© Dean Koh
2. Remove the wheels
Quick-release levers make this a cinch, especially for the front wheel. Remember to shift down to the lowest possible gear so that your chain has the least tension. It’ll make removing the rear wheel a whole lot easier.
Brake plugs help the secure the brake calipers.
© Dean Koh
3. Mind the brakes
For bikes with disc brakes, remember to stick on some disc brake plugs. Should the levers accidently get squeezed during transportation, it won’t mess up the alignment of your brake calipers. In worse cases, you’d be unable to ride as your brakes could get jammed. Remedying this will see you pry the calipers open, or re-bleed your brakes (for hydraulic disc brakes).
Lay the bike with its gear side facing out.
© Dean Koh
4. ‘Dry’ side up
When packing your frame into the car, always place it ‘dry’ side up. This refers to the side of the bike where the brakes, derailleurs and chain are located. You won’t want unnecessary pressure on the parts that actually drive the bike being damaged, right?
5. Wheels as cushions
This is the easy part. Once your frame’s neatly packed into the available space, place your wheels where convenient. Do use the wheels to cushion portions of the frame that are likely to rock. The idea is to keep everything together snugly with as little free-play as possible. Roads near the riding trails might get bumpy, and you wouldn’t want any unnecessary scruff marks on either car or bike.
When packing two bikes: Consider using the wheels as ‘padding’ but placing them between the frames.
The wheels are easily managed with the frame packe
© Dean Koh
6. Other considerations
You might want to wrap a bunch of newspapers or an old rag around your pedals. The very studs that offer your shoes grip might scratch the interior of your car, or yourself, if you’re careless.
