Bus fulltimers, where do you store your bicycles?!

[Scott & Heather]

We have been full timing for over a year now but are forever struggling with where to put our two bikes. They don't fit nicely in the bay, they don't easily go into the coach, they rust or get stolen if just left outside in the open. We just dropped some dough on two brand new Treks and would like to keep them safe and dry. Should I make some sort of canvas covered temporary bike garage out of PVC that I can tear down when we move?


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[Len Silva]

I would put a bike carrier on the rear hitch and chain and cover the bikes.  You could use a trailer break-away switch to operate an alarm if they are messed with.

[lostagain]

I carry a folding bicycle in the spare tire compartment.

JC

[Ed Hackenbruch]

I only use mine in Yuma during the 6-7 months that we are there....the rest of the time it is in a storage unit.  I don't want the hassle of hauling it with us when we travel.

[PP]

My wife's  foldup goes in the bay unless she wants to ride, which is way too seldom. My mountain bike, which I ride every day gets a tarp and bungees and has its special place in front of the bus. When we move, I pop off the front wheel and turn the bars sideways and she slips into a bay. Fulltiming and having interests can be a challenge some times, but we live through them. You should see our entertainment system....

[luvrbus]

Think you have a problem Scott my wife got a new CatTrike recumbent bike for her birthday try and find a place for that damn thing lol but at least now I don't have to put up with the scooters anymore

good luck

[technomadia]

We still haven't figured this one out.. and why don't own bikes yet.  A future research project is finding full size foldable bikes that we might be able to fit in a bay, or even in the back of the MINI.

We used to travel with bikes in our former trailer/truck combo.  But it was a PITA.  One set got stolen, another the lock completed rusted out and we couldn't separate them. So we gave up. No storing them outside.

- Cherie

[jjrbus]

Linear recumbent LWB, USS      Ford Windstar, third seat discarded.   Some would call it a mini van, I called it a shed! JIm

[Tenor]

Check out bikes by Montague.  I have a "Hummer" model that folds up very nicely.  Found it on clearance at Sam's Club a few years ago.

Glenn

[Seangie]

Scott - You think you have challenges

Try 6 bikes.  We love to bike so we definitely will be bringing them.  This is one of many things we are trying to come up with a solution for.

We are thinking folding bikes - At least 2 to 3 of them.  And then having a 4-bike carrier that connects to either the towbar behind the bus, roof of the TOAD or behind the toad for travel.  As far as storage while we are parked - it may be just locking them together and covering with a tarp.

The bikes are a "must have" for us.  I'd love to see what you end up with for a solution.

-The Turtles.

[Melbo]

We carry two "mountain bikes" in the bay with the front wheels removed. I built mounting brackets that hold them in place with a couple of bungees. They are always there and quick enough to set up when you want to take off for a ride. They really take a minimum of space on one side of the bay for the convenience of having them whenever we want them. Lots of time it is much easier to get around (especially in crowds of people) with a bicycle rather than a car. If you want pictures of how we store them I will post some.

HTH YMMV

Melbo

[Iceni John]

One reason I chose a forty-foot bus instead of something smaller is to have sufficient space inside to store my bikes.   I'll keep only four of my present fleet of bikes (I had seven at one time!), but they will stay inside  -  outside storage is out of the question.   I plan on having two bikes (the heaviest ones) on their wheels and two hanging from ceiling hooks, and each pair of bikes would alternate fore/aft.   This avoids pedals and handlebars fighting for space or scraping frames, but each bike would be fairly easily accessible.   This will take a space six feet long and about three feet wide, and I'll devote the area behind the driver's seat to them.

For me, bicycles are a vitally important part of my life  - I rode across country some years ago, and I plan on doing more long rides in the future, even if/when the bus will be my primary home.   It's worth me devoting space to their safe storage inside:  this is what makes bus conversions so interesting, as each one reflects the owner's priorities.

John

[Scott & Heather]

Hmmm. You guys have me thinking. I must say a recumbent bike is insane and I'll never have one as long as we are full timing. I have an idea and I'm going to experiment tomorrow...


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[jjrbus]

 Insanity = Any of various conditions characterized by impairment of an individual's normal cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning, and caused by social, psychological, biochemical, genetic, or other factors, such as infection or head trauma. Also called emotional illness, mental disease, mental disorder.

Buses would meet this criteria recumbent's do not    JIm

[PP]

Hmmm. You guys have me thinking. I must say a recumbent bike is insane and I'll never have one as long as we are full timing. I have an idea and I'm going to experiment tomorrow...

Okay Scott, the suspense is killing me. What have you come up with?