Bycicles on boats

jimmynoboat

jimmynoboat

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 Nov 2005
Messages
918
Visit site
I want to take my bicycle with me on a short cruise towards the end of summer this year. Skip thinks it's OK but has never done it before. Does anyone have any tips re: where to stow it and how to make sure it doesn't rust away?

It's a fairly big trekking sort of bike and doesn't fold up. Boat is a 32 foot raggie summat or other (I'll have to get more info). Planned route is Caernarfon to I.O.M. I'm a bit worried about it being in the way.
 
Turn pedals inward, handlebars sideways, saddle down, wheels tied to middle of frame each side. Pipe lagging on frame. It'll still be a nuisance.
 
I carried a colleague's road bike on the pushpit for a short (weekend) cruise, it caused much merriment wherever we went. He simply gave it a good freshwater wash & service when he got home.

Bikes are designed to stand up to rain, so it won't mind being outside. The odd splash or so of sea water won't be a problem & it will not be in anybodies' way across the stern. Trying to store it below is a waste of time, it will need a cabin to itself, even if stripped.

Different matter if you are crossing an ocean over several weeks, but for a 10 hour trip to IoM, (plus return) just spray the bearings, gears & chain with WD40 (designed as a water dispersant). Then give it a good wash & service when you get home.

I fix bikes for a living.
 
I have carried the bike on the boat but it seems to get bigger on the boat. Also if on somebody elses boat take great care not to scratch any woodwork getting it in or out.

For a short sail I have just left it on deck

022.jpg


002.jpg


Otherwise as has been said take wheels off etc or invest in one of these.
001-1.jpg


Ours is a single speed so not quick or good on hills but comes in a boat friendly carry bag.

Good luck on the ride.
 
Re: Bicycles on boats

I have a full size Trek 2400 on the boat.

I remove the two wheels, turn the handlebars through 90 deg and stow the whole lot it a purpose-made bag, either in the aft cabin or on top of the saloon.

The boat is 9.45m long.

Mind you, being a carbon/aramid/aluminium frame with lightweight racing wheels it probably weighs about 1/3 the weight of yours.
 
Re: Bicycles on boats

Quote Alan17: "Remove the wheels & saddle and stem. These bits can then go in a cabin in a bin bag. The remainder, now much smaller, can also go in a polythene bag and either be secured to the guard rails/lines or also go in a cabin. " -------Then drop the whole issue overboard (along with the golf clubs , croquet set and tennis raquets )and have no further inconvenience.
You are going SAILING after all.!!!
 
I agree with everything Nico says above:
[ QUOTE ]
Turn pedals inward, handlebars sideways, saddle down, wheels tied to middle of frame each side. Pipe lagging on frame. It'll still be a nuisance.

[/ QUOTE ]
Save for the fact that you are obviously taking your bike for use and not packing it for shipping.

Remove the wheels and possibly pedals but stow them in different parts of the boat. Pipe lagging on the frame is still a very good idea. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Fit quick release levers to the seat tube stem and also to both wheels for speed of removal and replacement. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Go and enjoy yourself. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Its not difficult to find an old but still serviceable bike for next to nothing. I found 2 in the marina skip and made 1 reasonable bike from the parts.
The advantage of this is it can be left ashore while at anchor with little concern with theft because its old and not much loss if it was stolen. It can also be stored outside without protection from the elements for the same above reasons.
 
Many thanks everyone. I hadn't thought of carefully packing it away then throwing the whole thing overboard and I won't be doing that /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Also good to hear from someone who's actually done it though I would have thought you'd at least stow the paniers! But the sea looked calm enough.
Pipe lagging seems a good idea and if WD40 followed by a rinse and a service is good enough for Searush then it's plenty good enough for me.
 
Re: Bicycles on boats

Having spent the last 9 years as an 8/12 liveaboard I'm fine about sailing, but I don't like to be like those sad people sitting on theirs or others boats and staring at the water.

The bike does just fine for getting in shopping, doing the odd 20km round an island and getting to see places - after all one bit of water is very much like another.

Many liveaboards have those toy things which are dangerous, slow, difficult to pedal, don't fit normal size people and weigh a hell of a lot. I had one at first and thankfully gave it away in Argéles.

As to sailing, I average about 3500 nm a year, probably more than most on this forum.

By the way, sarcasm is the refuge if the intellectually handicapped, usually at it's most effulgent in prep school masters.
 
If you go to your LBS (local bike shop) you should be able to pick up the cardboard the new bikes are delivered in...or go to http://www.wiggle.co.uk and get a bike bag with separate compartments for wheels and frame.

Take the wheels off, loosen the stem, turn the bars 90º, tape the tools to the bike so you can reassemble it easily /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Your skipper will appreciate you not getting chain oil on his cushions, and your bike won't get scratched.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Get a Brompton. Problem solved.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd rather take a bike with full sized wheels with me, much more rewarding to ride and cover the miles on.

I'd hate to commute to work on a brompton and that's only 7 miles, gimme my road bike any day, the thought of doing 20+ odd mph on a brompton doesn't fill me with the same enthusiasm as it would on my other bikes.
 
I'm not a cyclist, but I know lots of people who are - I live and work in Cambridge, the cycle capital of the UK. Many of my colleagues are keen cyclists who do it for fun as well as to commute.

Anyway, the Brompton comes with VERY high recommendations from the cycling people. Note that this recommendation does NOT extend to other types of folding bike!

I'd say that dismissing the Brompton without trying it is a mistake. I am told that it is a good ride, and more than capable of satisfying the requirements of the average non-racing cyclist. However, it is also at the top end of the price range for a folding bike.

Given the difficulties of storing a full-size bike on board, I think you should consider this carefully. I'd hate to have a full size bike on Capricious; it would take up too much space and be too awkward to stow, and would require too much assembly/disassembly to use it regularly.
 
Another vote for Brompton - not cheap mind. I ride mine everyday and fold and unfold evey day no hassle. If I am lazy and not really concentrating it might take me 30 seconds. I can probably do it in 15 seconds if I concentrate.

The ride isn't "the same" as a "normal" bike but it's pretty good.

The thought of riding 20 miles on my Bromie is fine - then fold up to sit beside your table in a pub/cafe - not going to get nicked.

Surely you are more likey to use it if it's easy to pop in the dinghy and off you go ?

When we do go and "hit the big blue" I will be buying another Bromie for the SWMBO - no hesitation.

No connection just satisfied cusomter etc etc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top