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. 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