Bike Rack info needed

[Serenity]

I am getting ready to travel again, with my adult daughter and she wants to bring her mountain bike. I have no idea about bike racks and need any info I can get on that. Is there a rack that will hang on my back doors, or do I need to attach something with bolts? I have a 95 chevy van, and it is pretty simple but very tall. We are both very much on the short side (5' 0"), in fact I have a step stool to get in the van. I have done some searching, but don't want something permanent, is there a temporary option? It still needs to be secure, but I am just not sure where to start here with my lack of knowledge on the subject. Anything would be helpful. Thank you in advance.

 

[highdesertranger]

if you have a trailer hitch receiver several companies make bike racks for those. highdesertranger

 

[eDJ_]

Does your Van have a spare tire mounted on one of the back doors ? ( a ladder on the other door? )  It may make a bicycle rack  on the back a bit 
of a challenge.  What HDR is suggesting may be usable if it you have the receiver hitch....and.....the bicycle rack that mounts into that hitch has a long enough reach to fasten in and extend out past a door mounted spare tire.  A welder could modify such a rack easily for you.  

If you were to choose a front bumper mounted  rack those are inexpensive and common. 

https://regim.info/en/how-to-use-the-service/bike-rack/


If you have a spare tire on the back there are racks that mount to the spare tire

 

[Serenity]

My van does not have a ladder, a spare tire on the door or a hitch. Just doors back there.

 

[SheepDog]

I have historically transported my bike or bikes inside my vehicle! One you learn to break them down it’s not as big a deal as many think! A folding bike is the easiest to transport of course, but many full sized bikes aren’t too bad!

Now that I’m also transporting kids bikes that don’t breakdown easily I’m considering a rack.

When I buy one I will be looking at those than fit my 2” hitch receiver! I haven’t zeroed in on one by any means, but the receiver hitch mounted ones will be most useful for me!

SD

 

[bullfrog]

Put a hitch receiver on and travel with a bike rack, once stopped pull it out and install a hitch mount step 2 problems one solution.

 

[MrNoodly]

You could take your van to a bicycle shop and see what they recommend.

 

[maki2]

Just contact someone at one of the bike rack companies for advice. The companies below make top quality racks.

Here is the Thule rack website page with a list of the bike racks suitable for various models of vans.
https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/van-accessories/bike-racks

This is the Fiamma USA web site and it shows racks for Vans lower down on the page
https://www.fiammausa.com/en/carry-bike-en

These are the hitch mount racks from Yakima
https://www.yakima.com/activity/bike?mount_location=52

A rack that mounts into the hitch receiver that can swing to the side so you can open your rear doors is an outstanding option for convenience but a pricey one $$ especially if you don't already have a hitch installed.

 

[eDJ_]

For the prices I'm seeing on these things,  I'd bet you could make something just as good for less than $20 bucks.  Using bent electricians conduit tubing, some mounting  hardware, and nylon strap.  (and some of those plastic coated garage wall mounts for the bike frame to rest on )

 

[ByeBye]

Just food for thought but I was fortunate and found this rack at a thrift store.

 

[RVTravel]

Bikeforums dot net is probably the number 1 forum for biking...to ask further or get ideas.

 

[PODebbie]

I have several bicycles. I used to mount the road bikes on top of the car with a Yakima rack. Road bikes are lightweight. I purchased a hitch mounted rack when I started mountain biking. I have a Kuat bike rack. My mountain bike was around 2,000. I will not leave it on the hitch. Most people don't know how to ride a road bike with the funny handlebars, etc., so although that can easily cost 3-7,000 they are relatively safe on top of the car. Putting bikes on a hitch rack make them more accessible for thieves. Mountain bikes are more often stolen. Young guys, college kids, and most other people feel more comfortable on a regular bike. I don't let my mountain bike out of my sight. It is locked on the rack, but with portable tools, most chains and locks are useless. I keep my bikes inside the van. The only bikes I would keep on a hitch overnight are our granny bikes, my cruiser and my husband's Townie. If your daughter has an expensive bike, you might want to keep it inside.

 

[bullfrog]

One of the reasons I got a folding electric bike (RadMini) is so it can be secured inside the vehicle out of site, sort of crazy since I live remote and have never had anything stolen.