How to Load a Bicycle in the Back of an SUV

A Sport Utility Vehicle, or SUV, has plenty of space for hauling bicycles and sporting gear safely inside the rig. Even with the abundance of space in the back of the SUV, figuring out how to load the bike in with no grease stains or such is a bit like a Rubik's cube. There is a method to transporting a bicycle in a SUV that keeps dirt to a minimum and guarantees safe transport of your bike.

Things You'll Need

  • Old, discarded blanket
  • Flat cardboard box
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Instructions

    • 1

      Open the tailgate or back door to the SUV. Push the passenger-side seats down so you have the full, open storage of the back of the SUV available to you.

    • 2

      Place the flat cardboard box on the floor of the back storage area of the SUV. The flat cardboard should be as big as the wheel of the bicycle. Put the blanket on top of the cardboard.

    • 3

      Release the quick release on the front tire of the bicycle. The quick release is the silver lever in the center of the wheel. Turn it so it is facing out from the bike and turn to the left until the wheel falls out of the mount bracket. Open the brake by squeezing it tight and pulling the black rubber fitting out from the brake housing. Remove the front tire.

    • 4

      Pick up the bike and place it in the SUV on top of the cardboard and blanket with the rear tire toward the front of the car with the cassette, or gear sprocket, facing the ceiling of the SUV. The gear sprocket is the metal grouping of toothed rings in the center of the wheel. Placing it face up keeps the sprocket safe without smearing grease on the SUV.

    • 5

      Push the front fork toward the ceiling of the SUV to prevent the hatch from hitting it when closed. The front fork is the two-pronged wheel mount off the front of the bicycle frame.

    • 6

      Slide the removed front tire along the side of the bicycle, so it is standing upright. Close and lock the SUV for transport.