Shock damage in transport

[boemelaar_bob]

Hi Guys

 

 

I once heard (or read somewhere) that transporting a duel suspension MTB on racks (tow hitch/ rear type) where the bike hangs/ is held by its frame will damage the back shock.

 

Any truth to this?   

 

 

 

 

[PhilipV]

No. No truth to that.

Sounds like someone wanted to feel better about paying a lot more for a rack that the bike stands on.

My bikes hang from the saddle in the garage, Im yet to experience any issues.

[Eddy Gordo]

I would like to see how you transport you bike by hanging it from the saddle!!!!

[Rocket-Boy]

I think they are referring more to the position of the rear shock being a problem.

On bikes like the Scott Spark or Cube AMS the rear shock is in a position that makes it tricky to mount the bike on a normal hang type carrier.

In that instance you could damage the rear shock if you hung the bike by it. Thule make an adapter though that bypasses hanging the bike from the top tube and you hang it from the adapter they supply instead.

 

So yes you could well damage a shock if it is the kind that runs under the top tube.

[nonky]

Or, your buddy - "don't worry, i got this" - loads the bikes on the bikerack and proceeds to damage your rear shock by scratching the shaft with his bike's pedal...

[MTBeer]

more than one bike on a bike rack is a pain in the old chocolate starfish.

[BDF]

Or, your buddy - "don't worry, i got this" - loads the bikes on the bikerack and proceeds to damage your rear shock by scratching the shaft with his bike's pedal...

Whoops, this is not hypothetical is it?

[HOEKVLAG]

Whoops, this is not hypothetical is it?

Still your buddy?

[Eddy Gordo]

What I have come to realise with bike racks are:

 

1: they are not mtb specific, but rather for road bikes.

2. you can load 3 mtb's on a 3 bike rack, unless you want scratches on the rear traingle or the fork. There are ways to avoid this.

3. The hanging type back rack will or can damage your shock depending on the shock position.

[BDF]

I have a 3 bike rack, in fact 2. A hanging one and a sit on one. It is a right mission to get 3 bikes on the hanging one but it is possible. I use pool noodles to separate the bikes and prevent damage. The sit on one is by far better especially one you work out the format for the 3 bikes (assuming you regularly take the same 3 bikes!). I use pool noodles for padding even though they don't really touch at any key places (brakes, drivetrain, handlebars and saddles).

 

These are 2xdual sus and a HT.

 

Personally I don't like hanging the bikes.

[HOEKVLAG]

I always use my 3 bike standing rack for 2 (MTB) bikes only.

[Eddy Gordo]

I always use my 3 bike standing rack for 2 (MTB) bikes only.

I do the same, unless I really have to load 3, then I add cut up noodles tied to crucial parts etc.

I cut the noodles in half along the length and then cut the length to fit 

[PhilipV]

I would like to see how you transport you bike by hanging it from the saddle!!!!

Ag flip. Should have reread my post.

My bikes hang from the saddle in the garage.

[Eddy Gordo]

Ag flip. Should have reread my post.

My bikes hang from the saddle in the garage.

L O L

 

I thought you meant something like 

[Bomberman]

Or, your buddy - "don't worry, i got this" - loads the bikes on the bikerack and proceeds to damage your rear shock by scratching the shaft with his bike's pedal...

Or, your buddy - "don't worry, i got this" - loads the bikes on the bikerack and proceeds driving off... and then after a few kilometers you check your mirror and his bike is gone!!

 

 

[rvdm1]

One of the reasons I prefer roof racks is the fact that the bikes can't scratch eachother. I have lost a rear tyre to a pedal, it rubbed pretty much all the way through the sidewall during the 3 hour journey to the farm.

 

That said, even with roofracks your bikes aren't 100% safe from scratches, I have found that the bike holder clamps still scratch them somewhat (thule freerides and prorides).