Car rack and bottle holder question

mel.b

I have this bike...



which is ladies hybrid bike. Im just wondering about what sort of car rack / carrier would be suitable for it. We tried to put it onto my friends carrier but because of the slopped bar it didn't' fit It looks like hers is set up for mens bikes. Can you get car carriers for ladies bikes?

Also, when I got the bike i was told I couldn't put a cage for a drink bottle on it, again because of the shape. However looking at my bike, i can't see why one couldn't go under the seat as that bar is straight and I have the seat up a good bit. Is this possible?

Thanks,
Mel.b

Trekker09

Maybe this might work for the water bottle:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raleigh-Handlebar-Mounted-Bottle-Cage/dp/B0020HRUAO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309107414&sr=8-3

cython

mel.b wrote: »

I have this bike...



which is ladies hybrid bike. Im just wondering about what sort of car rack / carrier would be suitable for it. We tried to put it onto my friends carrier but because of the slopped bar it didn't' fit It looks like hers is set up for mens bikes. Can you get car carriers for ladies bikes?

Bike racks are not specific to mens or womens, but for bikes like that that don't have a horizontal top tube to rack them, you can get things like this, that create a virtual top tube, as it were. Not sure if they are compatible with that sort of bike, but a shop should be able to advise.

mel.b wrote: »

Also, when I got the bike i was told I couldn't put a cage for a drink bottle on it, again because of the shape. However looking at my bike, i can't see why one couldn't go under the seat as that bar is straight and I have the seat up a good bit. Is this possible?

Thanks,
Mel.b

If there are mounts on a frame tube for bottle cage, then you should be able to put one there, but if there are no mounts on the seat tube where you are asking about, then you can't.

Rovi

The ways of mounting bottle cages on bikes where the manufacturer kindly saved a few cents by not providing mounting points are many and varied, here are a couple of links detailing lots of options:
http://recklesscognition.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/methods-for-attaching-water-bottle-cages-without-screws-and-bosses/
http://www.nordicgroup.us/cageboss/

It CAN and has been done, don't let whoever sold you the bike fob you off. Or go to a bike shop that cares about customer service.

mel.b

Thanks for those links - I've got some reading to do and then to get the credit card out:D

cdaly_

mel.b wrote: »

I have this bike...

To carry this type of bike, I would put one arm of the rack through the triangle of seat tube and seat stays (just above rear wheel) and the other arm below the down tube (behind the fork). This leaves the bike sitting higher than usual so it's important to strap the bottom of the frame to the rack also.

Whitehawk

i find the best type is one that mounts to stem of the seat, easy to access and dose not get in way!

mel.b

I'm looking at getting a Thule bike carrier for the car as they also sell an adapter for it for ladies bikes (the one from the amazon link is only available in the US). my car has a tow bar, but not the ball. Does anyone know if ou need the ball as well? I was looking at the Thule website but it wasn't clear. The model i am looking at is the Thule express 970 i think.

Cheers,
Mel.b

check_six

I got a Hollywood 3 rack last weekend as recommended in this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056256788

It has rubber clamps which can rotate around the carrier bars to tie onto different tubes on the bike and keep some distance between the bikes.
I was able to hook a childs bike onto the rack by putting one bar through the rear triangle and attaching to the seat tube, and the other underneath the down tube and attaching to the down tube. I would use the same strategy with a ladies bike. This could eliminate the need for an extra top tube replacement bar (gender changing bar??).

One factor in the Hollywood 3's favour is that it is sold in loads of shops, so it is possible to visit your LBS with your bike and measure it up to see if it fits okay before purchasing. I don't know which shops carry the Thule model you were looking at.

I'm happy with my rack so far. I did get some of that spongey pipe insulation stuff (~€2 Woodies) to put onto any bits that were contacting the car or other bikes (eg. pedals).

mel.b

Thanks. I went to a bike shop today and they had that Hollywood model bike rack, however it didn't fit my car Fortunately the bike shops shares premises with a car parts shop, so they've been able to order a towbar hitch so I can get a carrier that atttaches to the tow bar instead.

They weren't much help with the drink bottle cage though and suggested cable ties so I'm off to look at those links rovi posted again.

Cheers,
Mel.b