Lycosaurus
Well Known Member
Two folding bikes in an RV-9A (w/ tilt option) - Success!
Van's offers the Bike Friday Tikit that will fit an the back of an RV (I have not seen any photos, or how easy it is to load). I believe the price is $1000 each, and not sure what accessories come with it.
We opted for a lower cost version by using a Dahon Folding bike. The ones we bought have 20" wheels, fenders and panier (baggage rack). In order for these to fit, we had to remove the baggage racks from the bikes, and install fender supports for the rear fenders. The baggage racks can be carried in the plane, and then installed back on the bikes with 4 screws and an allen key at the destination.
The bikes we bought is the Dahon Speed D7 (7 speeds). Street price is about $420 US, or about $470 CDN. The Mariner D7 is similar, with different components that are more corrosion proof (marine environment). Other models might work as well, but it gets a little more spendy. I would have liked the models that have an integrated 8 speeds in the rear hub, but more $$.
In order for the bikes to fit, we needed to also remove the handle bars from the quick release stem. There was just no way we could fit both bikes in there without doing this. If you only need to travel with one bike... no problem.
One thing I must mention, and it will be obvious from the photos below. We have a sliding canopy, with a tilt option. I opted for not installing the holding mechanism for the tilt, but rather decided on a crude, but very functional bungee cord system that holds it up. So far so good. We also installed a 1/4" plywood floor, since the bikes' wheels will be making a point contact with the thin sheet aluminum floor.
The two Dahon D7 bikes. This is actually from a short trip from Ottawa to Kingston Ontario. We cycled from the airport to Downtown, and later took a ferry to Wolfe Island for more sight-seeing. I'll be posting some more photos at some point. We decided not to bring the bike baggage racks this time, as it was a short day trip.
This is an obligatory photo of me modeling the Dahons as well (equal air time).
View of the tilt slider before loading the bikes.
One bike folded. Note that the handle bar unit is removed from the quick release stem. Also, the seat is removed before loading, and stored separately.
One bike loaded and safetied with bungie cords and straps. Note that we had to be careful not to have the wheels touch the flap mechanism (round weldment behind the seats). We basically have anchor points at the rear bulkhead to pull the wheels back. Will look into making a cover for that weldment, so we can safely load the baggage area and not worry that something will get caught in there.
First view of two bikes, along with other baggage stuffed in that area. The bikes don't look so small anymore...
Another baggage view. Tough to get a good picture. Don't mind the Fred Flintstone seats, as we are having Abby build us something more presentable. (Believe it or not, these pillow seats are very comfortable. Would not want to be in an accident though .... feathers all over the place
)
To be noted, is that we have added a rear of the bulkhead baggage compartment. We have statically tested it to 180 lbs, but have limited it to 30 lbs of baggage. Typically will put the lighter stuff back there. W&B is excellent, as we can be fully loaded with fuel, 100lbs of baggage, and 30 lbs auxiliary baggage and be within W&B at less than 1750 GW.
Van's offers the Bike Friday Tikit that will fit an the back of an RV (I have not seen any photos, or how easy it is to load). I believe the price is $1000 each, and not sure what accessories come with it.
We opted for a lower cost version by using a Dahon Folding bike. The ones we bought have 20" wheels, fenders and panier (baggage rack). In order for these to fit, we had to remove the baggage racks from the bikes, and install fender supports for the rear fenders. The baggage racks can be carried in the plane, and then installed back on the bikes with 4 screws and an allen key at the destination.
The bikes we bought is the Dahon Speed D7 (7 speeds). Street price is about $420 US, or about $470 CDN. The Mariner D7 is similar, with different components that are more corrosion proof (marine environment). Other models might work as well, but it gets a little more spendy. I would have liked the models that have an integrated 8 speeds in the rear hub, but more $$.
In order for the bikes to fit, we needed to also remove the handle bars from the quick release stem. There was just no way we could fit both bikes in there without doing this. If you only need to travel with one bike... no problem.
One thing I must mention, and it will be obvious from the photos below. We have a sliding canopy, with a tilt option. I opted for not installing the holding mechanism for the tilt, but rather decided on a crude, but very functional bungee cord system that holds it up. So far so good. We also installed a 1/4" plywood floor, since the bikes' wheels will be making a point contact with the thin sheet aluminum floor.
The two Dahon D7 bikes. This is actually from a short trip from Ottawa to Kingston Ontario. We cycled from the airport to Downtown, and later took a ferry to Wolfe Island for more sight-seeing. I'll be posting some more photos at some point. We decided not to bring the bike baggage racks this time, as it was a short day trip.
This is an obligatory photo of me modeling the Dahons as well (equal air time).
View of the tilt slider before loading the bikes.
One bike folded. Note that the handle bar unit is removed from the quick release stem. Also, the seat is removed before loading, and stored separately.
One bike loaded and safetied with bungie cords and straps. Note that we had to be careful not to have the wheels touch the flap mechanism (round weldment behind the seats). We basically have anchor points at the rear bulkhead to pull the wheels back. Will look into making a cover for that weldment, so we can safely load the baggage area and not worry that something will get caught in there.
First view of two bikes, along with other baggage stuffed in that area. The bikes don't look so small anymore...
Another baggage view. Tough to get a good picture. Don't mind the Fred Flintstone seats, as we are having Abby build us something more presentable. (Believe it or not, these pillow seats are very comfortable. Would not want to be in an accident though .... feathers all over the place
)
To be noted, is that we have added a rear of the bulkhead baggage compartment. We have statically tested it to 180 lbs, but have limited it to 30 lbs of baggage. Typically will put the lighter stuff back there. W&B is excellent, as we can be fully loaded with fuel, 100lbs of baggage, and 30 lbs auxiliary baggage and be within W&B at less than 1750 GW.
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