I get'cha (i have to let the air out and open the brakes on my Homer to take off front wheel--very annoying), but my guess is Bob's picture is on an Amtrak train. Sometimes, you just don't have a choice and I'd like to know how to do it.
Bob's description of NJTransit sounds a lot like our newer Philadelphia commuter trains-- no dedicated bike area, one can improvise. I even took my bikes to a Philadelphia bus depot to get experience putting them on the bus rack before I actually needed to do it. The drivers were quite nice about that. Roberta On Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 1:47:53 PM UTC-5 George Schick wrote: > Plus, IMHO, having to remove the front wheel on bikes most of the time > would be a PITA. First, there's the "lawyer tabs" that require unscrewing > the QR a bit. Then, on some bikes equipped with caliper brakes wider tires > can't get past the brake pads even when the brake release tab is moved, > requiring some air to be bled out first. Finally, there may be fender > contact issues with the front wheel removed if the bike is allowed to sway > back and forth with out the wheel intact. I wouldn't want to do it very > frequently. > > > On Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 11:43:23 AM UTC-6 Roberta wrote: > >> Hi, Bob :) , >> >> How do you hang it from the back wheel? You take the front wheel off >> first, then lift up the back wheel? I guess the bike is lighter without >> the front wheel. I'm not sure I'd have the strength. >> >> When I hang mine from the front wheel, I "pop" the front wheel up, like >> a wheelie, roll the bike close to the hook and then just need to lift it up >> a foot or so to the hook. >> >> Roberta >> >> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 3:35:18 PM UTC-5 Bob Ehrenbeck wrote: >> >>> As Allan noted, how you travel with a bike depends on the type of >>> storage the train cars have on your particular Amtrak line. >>> >>> The below photo shows the situation for the Vermonter line that runs >>> between DC and Vermont. (It appears to be the same style as the Empire >>> Service trains that Allan rides.) The instructions state that when hanging >>> the bike from the rear wheel, the front wheel (and all bags) need to be >>> removed. When I took the Vermonter to ride in D2R2, I did just that. On the >>> return trip, however, the conductor said that I could leave the wheel on >>> the bike if it fit, and it did fit. The bike I had with me (a Rawland >>> rSogn), has an end-to-end length of 67" with both wheels on, and since my >>> 52 Clem H was an end-to-end length of 73", I'm pretty sure a Platypus would >>> fit in that vertical space with the front wheel removed. >>> >>> [image: Vermonter Bike Storage copy 2.jpg] >>> >>> >>> It appears that Amtrak's Blue Water and Wolverine trains have the same >>> bike carry-on service as the Vermonter, so this should work just fine! >>> https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/bring-your-bicycle-onboard.html >>> >>> Another possible option would be to drive to South Bend, Indiana and get >>> on the South Shore Line to reach Chicago: >>> https://mysouthshoreline.com >>> >>> But it seems that as there is a construction project going on, they have >>> temporarily suspended bringing bikes on board: >>> https://mysouthshoreline.com/plan-your-trip/bikes-on-trains/ >>> >>> I regularly take my bikes on NJT trains here in New Jersey, and similar >>> to what Roberta mentioned, as in most commuter lines there are open spaces >>> at the ends of each car, or sets you can flip out of the way, to store your >>> bike; perhaps the South Shore Line has a similar set-up? >>> >>> Bob E >>> Cranford, NJ >>> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 1:56:47 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: >>> >>>> I'm ok with it! >>>> >>>> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 10:52:46 AM UTC-8 George Schick wrote: >>>> >>>>> Joe, is it OK if we start calling you Ralph Kramden ; ) >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 12:39:15 PM UTC-6 Joe Bernard wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Yes, bus racks - my area of expertise - are a whole 'nother kettle of >>>>>> monkeys or whatever the idiom is. I've transported some longish 29er >>>>>> mountain bikes which barely fit the rack, and one of these days I'm >>>>>> going >>>>>> to collect a roadside garbage can with one! My Rivendell and any >>>>>> over-52cm >>>>>> Clem or Platy would not fit our buses. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 10:28:30 AM UTC-8 Roberta wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> forgot the "OMG" pics. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 1:25:30 PM UTC-5 Roberta wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I took my 55 Platy to get Amtrak's opinion and they said no to >>>>>>>> carry on (roll on) service. All he did was look at the bike. I know >>>>>>>> of >>>>>>>> one 50 Platy owner who went by train on a bike tour, but I don't >>>>>>>> remember >>>>>>>> if she brought her Platy or her other bike on her wedding anniversary >>>>>>>> trip >>>>>>>> this summer. Leah might know. I wouldn't want to take a chance that >>>>>>>> they >>>>>>>> might say "no" when I roll my bike to the door. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> In my city/suburban train (Septa), I can bring any bike on the >>>>>>>> train, but there is no special place to store it, so I sit the end of >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> car and try to keep it out of the way. In S. Jersey's River line, I >>>>>>>> can >>>>>>>> hang it. I don't know about the rest of NJ Transit (I know one iBob >>>>>>>> member who does alot of NJT with bike, but not sure of storage >>>>>>>> situation.) >>>>>>>> On the Philadelphia bus system, Platy is too long and I'm afraid with >>>>>>>> one >>>>>>>> good bump, it would be road kill (yes, I'd tie it down if forced to >>>>>>>> take it >>>>>>>> on a bus rack). You can see my 2019 Homer sits OK. If I wanted to >>>>>>>> take a >>>>>>>> bike with me on Amtrak, Platy wouldn't be an option. Perhaps in other >>>>>>>> parts >>>>>>>> of the country, the bus racks are longer? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> So, how often would one need to take it on a train/bus/Amtrak? For >>>>>>>> me, right now, little on Amtrak, but lots on busses. I imagine the >>>>>>>> adventures I could have taking a bus/train one way and the bike the >>>>>>>> other >>>>>>>> direction. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Roberta >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 12:44:52 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> That's a good question, Brian. I'm a transit bus driver and >>>>>>>>> technically we have limits on what will fit on the bus but in reality >>>>>>>>> if >>>>>>>>> you've got stuff and you haven't convinced me you can't get that >>>>>>>>> stuff on >>>>>>>>> there..it's on there! My understanding (I've never been on Amtrak) is >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> bikes store vertically, my guess is if it's shorter than a tandem >>>>>>>>> it's >>>>>>>>> going to work. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Joe "I should plan a short Amtrak trip and see if they bounce my >>>>>>>>> custom" Bernard >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 9:13:38 AM UTC-8 >>>>>>>>> bmfo...@gmail.com wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Has anyone had their bike denied on Amtrak due to wheelbase >>>>>>>>>> length? The Amtrak I take occasionally has a 2" tire width limit in >>>>>>>>>> their >>>>>>>>>> fine print, but I have never had an issue even though all my tires >>>>>>>>>> are >>>>>>>>>> larger than that. I asked a conductor once and he basically said if >>>>>>>>>> its a >>>>>>>>>> standard bike (non-recumbent, non e-fat is what he mentioned) he >>>>>>>>>> didn't >>>>>>>>>> care. Obviously you can't assume every train official will be lax >>>>>>>>>> about it >>>>>>>>>> but I'm curious if anyone has had issues. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Brian >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 7:25:15 AM UTC-6 >>>>>>>>>> allan....@gmail.com wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> It depends what type of bike-related service is available on the >>>>>>>>>>> Amtrak line you will be taking. The dimensions Joe cites are for >>>>>>>>>>> checked, >>>>>>>>>>> in a box. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I occasionally bring a bike on the train from where I live in >>>>>>>>>>> southern Vermont to New York City via the Albany Amtrak station. On >>>>>>>>>>> this >>>>>>>>>>> line there is only carryon service and there are only 4 special >>>>>>>>>>> bike >>>>>>>>>>> lockers available. The bike hangs from the rear wheel and the front >>>>>>>>>>> wheel >>>>>>>>>>> must be removed beforehand. It’s a bodged-up arrangement and I have >>>>>>>>>>> to lash >>>>>>>>>>> the frame with my own straps to keep everything from swinging and >>>>>>>>>>> damaging >>>>>>>>>>> the frame’s finish. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I’ve taken both an Yves Gomez and a Trek crit bike. Both have >>>>>>>>>>> 650b wheels. I’ve never actually measured the vertical space >>>>>>>>>>> afforded by >>>>>>>>>>> the locker but without a front wheel it seemed that there might be >>>>>>>>>>> another >>>>>>>>>>> 8-10” available; I’ll bring a tape next time. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Allan, in snowy Marlboro, Vt. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 2:54:13 AM UTC-5 Joe Bernard >>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Size and weight limit restrictions: 50 lbs. and 70" x 41" x >>>>>>>>>>>> 8.5". Your bike will be approximately 4-5 inches too long for >>>>>>>>>>>> Amtrak. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On Monday, November 13, 2023 at 10:53:28 PM UTC-8 >>>>>>>>>>>> kiziria...@gmail.com wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> I ordered a 55 Platy in the last presale, was thinking of >>>>>>>>>>>>> taking amtrak to pick it up in person and bring it with me back, >>>>>>>>>>>>> Oakland to >>>>>>>>>>>>> LA. Can someone confirm whether or not the bike will be accepted >>>>>>>>>>>>> on the >>>>>>>>>>>>> train without boxing it up? Please and thank you. Good luck with >>>>>>>>>>>>> your >>>>>>>>>>>>> Platycisions Leah! >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> On Monday, November 13, 2023 at 7:13:48 AM UTC-8 Edwin W wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> I am with George. Once you have more than a certain number of >>>>>>>>>>>>>> bikes (a number you are certain to have opinions about), one of >>>>>>>>>>>>>> them should >>>>>>>>>>>>>> be a folder! >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Great for train travel. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Great for guests (they fit all kinds of people). >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Great for conversation starter. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Can be stored in a closet, attic, under the stairs, etc... >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Good luck! >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Edwin >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 8:16:07 AM UTC-6 George >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Schick wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If I were in your situation I'd be tempted to get a folder. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> PBH would not be an issue because they have very long seat >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> posts. Some >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> models are equipped with more upright bars such as you're used >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to using. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They come with a variety of different types of gearing and >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ranges. And, of >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> course, they are step-though by definition. That could be your >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> travel bike >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and you'd be able to get around any issues that some trains >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> have with >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> carry-on bikes. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 3:27:55 PM UTC-6 Bicycle >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Belle Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a question that is probably only going to be >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> academic. But maybe not. I’ve done crazier things. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyway, I have an 81 cm PBH. I sized up to the 55 cm >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Platypus (PBH range starts at 82 cm) and I love the fit. I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> adore my bikes. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You can’t have them, I won’t sell them, don’t even ask. BUT, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> they are long. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Too long for buses and for Amtrak. I desperately want to take >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Amtrak to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Chicago with my bike for the first time, but my bike is too >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> long. RivSister >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kate says she can get her 50 cm Platypus on Amtrak if she >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> undoes her V >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> brakes and lets some air out of her tire. But, I’m 5’6” and I >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> don’t know if >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I could ride that little bike. I don’t have one locally to try. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also, I’d want the lime olive, which would be very hard to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> find. Anyway, thanks for participating in my thought >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> experiment. That might >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> be a real experiment. Probably not. There’s likely a limit to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> how many >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Platys a girl can have. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/fd1bb12f-173b-4fbd-84c7-a9eb26f46a6cn%40googlegroups.com.
