Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Many people use bike-racks on their cars to transport their e-bikes. A single person can easily transport a single e-bike in a station wagon; that is especially comfortable to carry an e-MTB to the trail. No fastest e-bike transport method by car exists.
Step 1: Have rear seats in your car folded. Start with rolling in the e-bike rearwards. The bike should lean onto the non-drive side. In case of a dropper post, dropping the seat helps but is not mandatory.
Step 2: A Turbo Vado has been rolled into the car. It is vital the front fender does not touch the ground, so support the bike frame against the car floor with a box.
Similarly, a Giant Trance E+ rolled into the car.
Step 3: Removing the front thru-axle. Use a regular Allen key to unscrew the thru-axle (a torque wrench shown here instead). It might be a 5 or 6 mm hex wrench, depending on your axle.
The Giant e-MTB axle is equipped with a quick release. In any case, unscrew the axle and remove it with your hand. The front wheel will pop up from the fork sockets. In case of a traditional 9 mm QR, removing the wheel is even easier (no need to remove the axle, just use the QR).
Step 4 (critical): Replace the axle, so it is not lost or soiled. Few turns clockwise is enough (can be done with your hand, no wrench is needed). Insert a brake-pad spacer between brake pads (a piece of thick cardboard will do). The latter action prevents upsetting the hydraulic brake against inadvertent pressing of the front-brake-lever.
Step 5: Rotate the handlebars to restore the normal position. Roll the bike even deeper into the car. Note: It is vital the handlebars are in the normal position not to destroy the front fender, if present. Place the front wheel under the bike's frame. The brake rotor should be up and not touch any object.
Unpacking
Perform the actions as above in the reverse order. In case of the thru-axle without quick release (like in the Vado), using a torque wrench is recommended but not mandatory.
Dedicated to @RandallS.
Step 1: Have rear seats in your car folded. Start with rolling in the e-bike rearwards. The bike should lean onto the non-drive side. In case of a dropper post, dropping the seat helps but is not mandatory.
Step 2: A Turbo Vado has been rolled into the car. It is vital the front fender does not touch the ground, so support the bike frame against the car floor with a box.
Similarly, a Giant Trance E+ rolled into the car.
Step 3: Removing the front thru-axle. Use a regular Allen key to unscrew the thru-axle (a torque wrench shown here instead). It might be a 5 or 6 mm hex wrench, depending on your axle.
The Giant e-MTB axle is equipped with a quick release. In any case, unscrew the axle and remove it with your hand. The front wheel will pop up from the fork sockets. In case of a traditional 9 mm QR, removing the wheel is even easier (no need to remove the axle, just use the QR).
Step 4 (critical): Replace the axle, so it is not lost or soiled. Few turns clockwise is enough (can be done with your hand, no wrench is needed). Insert a brake-pad spacer between brake pads (a piece of thick cardboard will do). The latter action prevents upsetting the hydraulic brake against inadvertent pressing of the front-brake-lever.
Step 5: Rotate the handlebars to restore the normal position. Roll the bike even deeper into the car. Note: It is vital the handlebars are in the normal position not to destroy the front fender, if present. Place the front wheel under the bike's frame. The brake rotor should be up and not touch any object.
Unpacking
Perform the actions as above in the reverse order. In case of the thru-axle without quick release (like in the Vado), using a torque wrench is recommended but not mandatory.
Dedicated to @RandallS.
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