Bike racks

To protect the frame, use strips of circular foam with a slit cut down it (same stuff as piping insulation. This is ideally placed around the top tube. Otherwise, old pillow cases are the right size

When the first bike goes on, crank closest to bike rack frame should be pointing down. this can then be attached to the bike rack and will offer exceptional support and stop the bike from moving about

Bikes 2 and 3 should alternate i.e bike 1 front wheel left of car, bike 2 front wheel to the right of car, bike 3 front wheel to the left. Keep the handle bars straight as if thew bike was being ridden. It will make it alot neater.

Position your cranks and pedals so the the front pedal (front being pointing to the front of the car) is down, this will allow opposite crank to sit upwards and generally within the triangle of the frame. if pedals end up sitting within spokes, dont fret, it will help in stopping the wheels from turning ;) Just take your time when taking off.

As far as straps go, you cant go past an occy strap. Ideally, 1 strap min per bike. start from somewhere solid on the rack, go up and over the frame, 90deg bend under the bike rack, across to the other side, 90 deg bend up and over the fram and then down to something solid. Easiset on bike 1 and 2, however bike 3 you may be scratching. Use the rim as your staring point.

Good luck, it is a fine art, but only time and practice will perfect it.

Me, I use fork clamps attached to the tray or top of the car/ trailer, ;) LOL

I'm about to build a rack for the top of the trailer... Too difficult trying to get 5 bikes and a billy cart loaded up.