[jongarusa]

Dear collective brain trust,

I am embarrassed to have to ask this, however, let me explain the reasoning. Mrs JonGar informed me, she would not need her bike while on her road trip, that I am joining in the RV. Now in Colorado, and on her way to Chicago she informs me, that if possible, could I bring her bike. She did this knowing that I was not going to bring the roofbox as it had such a dramatic effect on range, and the amount of ground I had to cover in 3 days. However, I do not wish to disappoint her. I have 10 days with her, I would like to enjoy some of it.

Earlier tonight, I removed half an inch of the bike rack in the picture - this will allow it to fit into the receiving hitch (it was to long for the pin to pass through. and the trunk to open. Can anyone suggest what the impact will be on range - I did not test for this, and with the list of jobs I have tomorrow, i don't have time to.

Your kind support in this moment of matrimonial crisis is gratefully received

Jon (aka @RegularEVdad)

 

[cosev]

I’ve hauled bikes and other cargo on a rack behind a Chevy bolt without any noticeable loss of range. Give yourself a little extra margin but I think you’ll be fine…

 

[jongarusa]

I am assuming it will be considerably less that the 25% loss of range the roof box delivered

 

[seageo]

Think back to the posts about towing a trailer. As long as what's behind the car is within the zone of air the car is pushing out if the way, the impact should be quite low.

 

[jongarusa]

Tesla Y seems to take an average 17% hit. Well, this will be part of the video. I informed Mrs G, that if I bring it, she has to keep it !! I don't want it, and the headwinds on the way back.

 

[gorj]

If you are not loaded with a lot in the rear, load it there even if you have to remove the front wheel. Even with a bike in the back there is still a lot of room around it, especially if you remove the pedals and the front wheel.

 

[TPG]

If you are not loaded with a lot in the rear, load it there even if you have to remove the front wheel. Even with a bike in the back there is still a lot of room around it, especially if you remove the pedals and the front wheel.

Better yet, take both wheels off and lash the bike frame and wheels to the interior side of car. Alternatively you can store the wheels in first against the back of the back seat, and put the frame in after that. Right side up or upside down (if your bike doesn't have problems with its brake hydraulics). That's what I call the "station wagon method" of bike transport. The ID.4 isn't tall enough inside for the "SUV method" - rear wheel on, lash bike to interior side. I could do that in my RAV4EV but not the ID.4.

 

[jongarusa]

Better yet, take both wheels off and lash the bike frame and wheels to the interior side of car. Alternatively you can store the wheels in first against the back of the back seat, and put the frame in after that. Right side up or upside down (if your bike doesn't have problems with its brake hydraulics). That's what I call the "station wagon method" of bike transport. The ID.4 isn't tall enough inside for the "SUV method" - rear wheel on, lash bike to interior side. I could do that in my RAV4EV but not the ID.4.

I would have, but there is a dog crate, with dog in the trunk, one in a harness on the back seat, and all the gear for two people for two weeks - Thats why originally I was taking the roofbox. I was able to send ahead my wifes bulky stuff. It is what it is, and it will be intetesting to see the data ABRP gathers - Ill be sure to share

JG

 

[His_Stigness]

I just got back from going up to Sky Park (Lake Arrowhead) with my new bike rack (Kuat NV 2.0) and two bikes (one light and one heavier) and I don't think there was any range loss. ABRP estimated a 3% range gain going down the hill with no extra weight or anything, and it was right.

 

[bc15]

I just got back from going up to Sky Park (Lake Arrowhead) with my new bike rack (Kuat NV 2.0) and two bikes (one light and one heavier) and I don't think there was any range loss. ABRP estimated a 3% range gain going down the hill with no extra weight or anything, and it was right.

This is 100% anecdotal, but this is my experience too. I’ve done a trip that’s probably 95% flat interstate a couple times, once with bikes on my Kuat Sherpa 2.0 rack, and once without. I didn’t really notice any significant difference in efficiency. Outside temperature, and more importantly, speed was much more impactful. Both times I averaged around 3 mi/kwh which pins overall range at 220-230 miles, which, cruising at 70+ mph with the AC running, isn’t too shabby.

 

[jongarusa]

I don't want to ruin the surprise, but the the bike rack made virtually no difference

 

[JimmyVW]

Great to hear, I always wondered if you could have answered that yourself based on your tests with the roofbox + bike rack and roofbox alone
Think the difference you saw was 0.1 or something?