Has anyone put their bike (La Free?) on its side in the back of a car?

[PatriciaK]

Have the opportunity to pick up another La Free E+2 on sale for our east coast home, but sale ends in a couple of days and no one who could pick it up for me has a bike rack. We're not there yet, so relying on family to get it for us ...

 

[PatriciaK]

Have the opportunity to pick up another La Free E+2 on sale for our east coast home, but sale ends in a couple of days and no one who could pick it up for me has a bike rack. We're not there yet, so relying on family to get it for us ...

It would be a short city drive to get from shop to our place - 15 minutes max at 30mph.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I have (not a Lafree, but a similar bafang build with rear rack battery) not a problem. Drive side up.

That said...at that distance... it's less than a 45 minute bike ride for said family member.

 

[Marci jo]

Just throwing out some thoughts:
- Anyone with an suv or pickup available? I've hauled my Trek inside my Acura RDX a couple times. Kind of a hassle but doable. Be sure to lay the bike on it's left side to prevent derailer damage and/or inside stains.
- Any possibility of lbs delivery to the home even for a small fee?
- When do you anticipate getting to East Coast home? Would lbs store the bike?
- Like Gionnirocker said, could someone ride it to your home? Careful with this option, they may want to keep the LaFree for themselves!!

 

[PatriciaK]

Family member has an older model Subaru Forester...

The problem with riding home is lack of bike lanes between the two locations, but I suppose it could be done.

Sale ends in the 4th, we won't be there til around the 29th

I'll think about those other options, thanks!

 

[Nova Haibike]

There is no issue putting it inside a car on its side; it's a bicycle. There are no special precautions to take just because it is an e-bike. Just lay it with the drive side up. The only thing you really need to be careful of is if you remove the front wheel, try not to activate the front brake...because if you do the brake caliper pistons might extend too far and you won't be able to put the front wheel back on until you push the pistons back.

 

[indianajo]

I did it, when my vision was blinking due to the heat and while I was resting under a tree some lady was threatening to call an ambulance. A friend picked me up in his sedan and we put that big bike in his trunk. Had to take the aluminum rack on the child shelf off which makes it extra long. No damage. The front wheel stuck out the back. The lid was held down and the bike was held in with bungee cords.

 

[PatriciaK]

I did it, when my vision was blinking due to the heat and while I was resting under a tree some lady was threatening to call an ambulance. A friend picked me up in his sedan and we put that big bike in his trunk. Had to take the aluminum rack on the child shelf off which makes it extra long. No damage. The front wheel stuck out the back. The lid was held down and the bike was held in with bungee cords.

That's exactly what I'm thinking of having our son do with his Forester!

 

[Sifu Ben]

Yes. Rad Rover. Took front wheel off, took the handlebar off (just 4 hex screws) once in the car, took battery off. Rear derailleur on up side.

 

[sc00ter]

I've carried my Pedego CityCommuter laying on its side (gears facing up) in the back of a Subaru Baja, a lot and far. I removed the battery to try and make it lighter. Had to manhandle it to get it in and out. The RadRunner isn't much lighter but I can strap it down corner to corner staying upright now.

 

[ruffruff]

I throw my eMtb bike on its side in the truck all the time!
drive side up- no harm no foul!

This question keeps coming up and other than scratches, are people afraid it's going to hurt the electronics or something? Won't fit?