General: Carrying Wheels

I generally use a DaKine backpack with compression straps which I use to affix the wheel to the bag. I have done it with a variety of wheels, my beefy ass 29er wheel was the only one which made me a little uncomfortable.

I have a Timbuk2 from like 2001 which could probably carry a wheel inside of it. Otherwise...... A messenger bag could maybe hold a wheel if it has two compression straps. Maybe.

The straps seem to work alright, I'm just not sure how stable it will really be while I'm riding.

Jump up and down or dance or something. And take pictures for .... posterity.

I normally take wheels on my messenger bag, but it's a fiddly operation. You have to run the flap straps (the ones clasping the flap to the body of the bag - I think this is what s_d is calling compression straps) through the correct spoke clusters, and then pull them snug. Too far down, and it kind of pins your butt to the saddle; too far up, and it bangs into the back of your helmet. This is less troublesome with a skater helmet, since there's no ducktail to snag; but having the wheel mounted too high means you can't lean your head far enough back to see the street.

Fortunately, the LBS I haul wheels to is only 1.5 miles away.

Posted By: eaglerock

Posted By: GOBSTOPTODROPI'm just hoping I'm not bending the spokes.

Hell, you normally ride on the thing. If you're not bending the spokes that way, and the spokes are reasonably tensioned, they're not going to bend because you strapped them to something. Unless you're 12 years old, and under 90 pounds.

ok hahaha reassurance is good, i wasn't thinking it was a big deal, but you never know.

I have tied wheels to the tops and bottoms of the back pack straps (its a water proof pack, so no compression straps) with rope laying around. That way you can do it to the rim if your worried about the spokes, but I agree with eaglerock, spokes should be able to take it.

edit-tied to around to the back (just in case it wasn't obvious)

It's not that far, there are now 3 bike shops in Castro Valley, one is just opening now, it's called Area cycles, the other shops are scared shitless.

That looks good. If you're still uneasy, throw a belt around the bag and through the wheel.

Posted By: GOBSTOPTODROPone is just opening now, it's called Area cycles, the other shops are scared shitless.

Scared of the new shop, or scared of you?

One good thing about Berkeley is that the cycling-retail ecosystem is pretty solidly established. Mike's Bikes (for Ausländern: Mike's Bike is a medium-sized chain that's locally owned/operated in Northern California) opened a store about a block from Missing Link Bicycle Collective about five years ago, then moved into a big former paint store a block away about two years ago. They live with each other, and tolerate each others' existence; I often get employees at one store sending me to the other and vice versa (and to the hardware store in between, which carries a lot of the same nuts and bolts for less because the word 'bicycle' isn't attached). On San Pablo Avenue in Oceanview (northwest Berkeley), there's an REI with a bike shop on one corner and a Performance Bike two blocks south. About six months ago, Wheelgirl, a higher-end custom shop/fixed-gear/olive oil store formerly located in the 4th Street shopping district down near the freeway, moved to the block between REI and Perfomance looking for lower rent and more walkin traffic - and makes a point of advertising the fact.

I split most of my time between Missing Link and Street Level Cycles, West Berkeley's own bike kitchen; but I get into every store in town at least once a month. And I tell each one that I go to the others. Everyone claims to be cool with it.

Posted By: GOBSTOPTODROPMy bag is also very empty, only tools and some books, and it is a Large Seagull bag, so results of this "wheel carrying technique" may differ.

Okay, it looks like your bag is bigger than mine (mine is a Timbuk2 medium); but here's how I would strap the wheel:



In your case, I'd leave the right-hand strap where it is, and move the wheel down to the red mark for the left-hand strap so my head wouldn't bang on the top of the wheel.

Posted By: GOBSTOPTODROPwhat is the name of the washer(??) that goes in between the ends and the hub. It has teeth on th part in contact with the hub. Mine somehow snapped and i need to get a new one.

You mean the lock washer?

On my Chrome, I usually will hook the wheel like you did there, but also run the long strap that is made to go around your waist, around the back of the back and around the whole wheel and clip on the other side.

my messenger bag is big enough that i can get two wheels into the actual bag cavity, i leave the flap open and fold it over the top of the wheels. then i weave the straps through the spokes and close it up. i've done it eaglerock's way as well, its more comfortable (less axle digging into your back) but the wheels feel like they flop around a lot.

Posted By: GOBSTOPTODROPThis could also be turned into a thread of how to carry uncommonly carried objects if anyone wants to do that.

I've carried drop bars this way (works OK, if a little sticky-outy) and a full-size camera tripod (BIG mistake).

One thing I'm curious about is in Mash, there's a clip where someone is biking up a huge hill with a HUGE package on his back, and I still can't figure out how he was carrying it.

Posted By: GOBSTOPTODROPOne thing I'm curious about is in Mash, there's a clip where someone is biking up a huge hill with a HUGE package on his back, and I still can't figure out how he was carrying it.

I believe it was one of those small, UFO-shaped (I hope this doesn't turn into a "what does a UFO really look like" argument) barbecues.
I've carried them across the city before. When I would be delivering in the city, I'd consistently bring duct tape and bungee chords with me to assist with any awkwardly shaped packages.

Posted By: GOBSTOPTODROPOne thing I'm curious about is in Mash, there's a clip where someone is biking up a huge hill with a HUGE package on his back, and I still can't figure out how he was carrying it.

you're thinking of the scene with travis, carrying that huge boxish package in a freight sling bag. he had the bag flap over the (as much as it could cover) box and the straps keeping it in place. i'm sure there were bungie's and stuff attached, but i've seen those freight bags carry insane loads, they certainly don't mess around.