Bicycle For Range or Hunting

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Cosmoline

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2002
Messages
23,646
Location
Los Anchorage
I've been working for the past year or so on reviving the long lost art of carrying firearms by bicycle. It not only has application for us tree huggers, but for anyone interested in a fast and extremely quiet way of entering a hunting zone (where bikes are allowed, of course).

Part of the problem has been, the art of carrying arms on bikes isn't the only thing that's been lost. We've also lost the classic diamond frame set for upright riding. The only bikes still built with anything resembling that frame are high-end touring bikes and ones like the Marin redwood I recently purchased. I tried a number of carrying options with my Electra cruiser, but the curved design made frame-mounting very tricky.

Here's the first prototype solution. I did a video so you can see it from all sides. The scabbard is an old stiff saddle scabbard of the usual design. The ammo/handgun holder is a saddle bag draped over the top bar with the handles hooked together. The bags are designed to go on a horse's back and don't quite work here so I may have to use something else. But the scabbard fits perfectly and amazingly doesn't snag on me or the bike while in operation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd02kblUwE0

Here's phase 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz1IdG928ns
 
Last edited:
I would chew a finger off to get ahold of one of those Swiss mountain bikes, or one of the new Swedish army bikes by Monarch. They are sadly very difficult to get ahold of. And nothing of equal quality is made stateside or in Taiwan. The high end bikes here are all lightwieght speciality beasts. The closest you could get would be a top quality touring bike, but it will cost you. This one is done on a pretty cheap Marin "comfort" bike--which is what they call bikes that still look like bikes. Enen then it has no fenders, no rack and no easy way to mount a basket. But I work with the tools I have.
 
Carrying firearms on bikes has been around for over 100 years....most were slung over the riders back.

smallparaad.jpg


Bicycle1L.jpg
 
I like this method better. I hate having backpacks or messenger bags or anything like that on my back when I'm cycling. I had a thread a little while ago on another board about carrying groceries on my bike without using a backpack. Actually, that front cargo rack on those swiss bikes looks pretty cool.
EDIT: BTW, you can buy one here
 
Those are the older Swiss bikes, not the mountain bikes. Basically a beefed up classic diamond frame cruiser. They're still excellent though. If shipping wasn't so much I'd snatch one up. Here is the ultimate Swiss bike, issued after 1995:

http://www.yellowjersey.org/swiss.html

This is the modern Swedish version, which has a front rack alone rated to carry fifty pounds. If you're in the Florida area the fellow sells them for a little over a grand each.

http://www.dutchbikes.us/army.html
 
I bike commute daily and use rear panniers for my daily haul. If I had to carry a rifle I would probably use a hard case bungied across the top of the rear rack. Don't forget, if you are successful hunting you've got some hauling to do afterwards.

I have a single-passenger trailer for my daughter that can hold a lot of gear, but I don't think my wife would be keen on my hauling a few quarters of elk in it. :D

I've been considering a Tripke Foldit Utility Cart for gardening, which also has a bike attachment system Link. Great for all sorts of things.
 
If I had to carry a rifle I would probably use a hard case bungied across the top of the rear rack.
Click to expand...

I've done it, it's not the best way. The further out the weight is from the back rack, the more that weight stresses the rack and the rear tire. I've popped a rack clean off that way. Sheared the screw. As a matter of fact, IIRC this was my old rack's last ride:

rr1.jpg

The more you can center the weight, the better for the bike. They used to make military bags that filled the triangle on the diamond frame for that very reason. Back racks and front racks are good, but only up to a point. The trailers are great, though most are made for kids. I know some guys who have been building much more robust trailers using the kid carriers as a base. It's mostly a matter of putting a rigid box on them and beefing up the wheels.
 
When I did a lot of bike riding about 20 years ago I used to ride to the range about 8 miles away through a suburban area with an M1 carbine on the bike. I put it in a closed web case and bungeed it to the frame; the rest of what I needed went on the rear rack. Worked out pretty good.

My knees eventually objected to the pedalling in rough country so now it's an ATV. Sure had a lot of fun with that bike though.

Good luck with your ideas. I think you're on the right track.
 
Hasn't anyone here ver heard of an ATV or a Jeep? Lots more storage room and much easier to pilot.

Ok so you bicycle in to your hunting location and bag a deer. How exactly do you plan to strap that to the bicycle and pedal out? Give me 4wd and a good strong engie any day
 
maybe a trailer for your bike like people use to carry around little kids on. Ive seen more than one of these with the parents driving. that might work for some extra storage, thats a workout hauling a deer back on though i bet
 
Amazing as it may seem, folks hunted just fine before 4 wheelers came out. I read an interesting article on hunting by bike a while back, I'll see if I can locate it. Here's one:

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/hunting/big-game-hunting/gf_aa016105a/

As far as hauling out, a properly outfitted bicycle can haul 400 lbs or more. There's one I know certified to carry a quarter ton on the bike alone, not counting what it can pull. You can also use the SE Asian method of riding in and pushing out. The VC moved a lot of heavy military loads that way. Never underestimate pedal power:

wwwonlinerws05od3.jpg
 
I'd look at one of those single wheel trailers. I used to commute to work via a bike and never liked anything that raised my center of gravity or got in the way of a quick move to avoid traffic. Something like this: http://www.bobtrailers.com/trailers/trailers.php
Click to expand...

Beat me to the punch.
Burly also makes a nice trailer, its a flatbed two wheel model.
Cosmoline, I still think you oughta consider a mountain bike, and switch it out to a rigid fork, or even buy a fully rigid one.
By using a riser bar you can easily give yourself a more upright riding position. You'll get addicted to the higher speeds over the cruiser, too
:neener:
 
I honestly feel that this thread is a solution in search of a problem to fit it . however ill play along and assume there is a reason to strap a rifle to a bike . My first thoughts are to get a " drag bag " or " soft case " and sew loops onto it at the points i need to attach it with zip ties to whateaver bike frame i am dealing with . Extra zip ties in one of the bag pockets , and my leatherman makes it removable if needed . YMMV and its a first blush solution , but then as stated i see no hunting use for a bike , possibly in a shtf situation it would bear thinking about tho since gas ect.. can be an issue.
 
I honestly feel that this thread is a solution in search of a problem to fit it . however ill play along and assume there is a reason to strap a rifle to a bike . My first thoughts are to get a " drag bag " or " soft case " and sew loops onto it at the points i need to attach it with zip ties to whateaver bike frame i am dealing with . Extra zip ties in one of the bag pockets , and my leatherman makes it removable if needed . YMMV and its a first blush solution , but then as stated i see no hunting use for a bike , possibly in a shtf situation it would bear thinking about tho since gas ect.. can be an issue
Click to expand...
.

Well, given the price of owning, operating, and feeding a vehicle, some people prefer not to have one. Depending on where one lives, its not even necessary to have a car. That is where a utilitarian bicycle shines. Then it's just a matter of making it more versatile for anything from grocery shopping to range trips.
If I were single, I'd live in a smallish town where everything is centrally located. I'd still own a vehicle, but I'd bike way more than I do now.
 
I honestly feel that this thread is a solution in search of a problem to fit it
Click to expand...

It's getting so a few tanks of gas equals a firearm purchase. That's where I draw the line. Now I'll get to laugh when I go by the gas price signs.

My first thoughts are to get a " drag bag " or " soft case " and sew loops onto it at the points i need to attach it with zip ties to whateaver bike frame i am dealing with .
Click to expand...

If you look at the video, you'll see I'm using a stiff scabbard. The advantage of this over the soft case is it holds its form and stays out of the way whether or not there's a rifle in it. So I can grab the carbine and take it with me as a security measure. Also, it relies on leather straps that are both strong and easy to remove and adjust.

I still think you oughta consider a mountain bike,
Click to expand...

Fifteen years ago, the Marin would have been considered a mountain bike. I've seen what they use for mountain bikes now, and they're often bizarre tech-heavy creations with truly strange frames. I don't think they'd be very practical for mixed use. I'm still not sure how people ride them. If I was going to get a strictly off road hunting bike, I'd use a traditional mountain bike frame or a Surly and build it up from there.
 
Until just a few years ago, Switzerland had a alpine bicycle unit. You might want to take a peek at the way they carried quite a lot of gear. The bikes were probably more purpose built, but it might give you some ideas.
Click to expand...
I recall reading a few years ago that the US Army had acquired a limited number of special purpose bicycles for Special Operastions. They were very high end, and the article didn't mention anything about how weapons would be transported, just a lot about the diffirent features that made that particular bike so awsome for all sorts of adverse terrain.

Some guns, like Papoose's AR-7's takedown Marlins, handguns, and other takedown guns will easily fit into a back-pack (you may need to do some shopping to find a bag).
 
I would chew a finger off to get ahold of one of those Swiss mountain bikes, or one of the new Swedish army bikes by Monarch. They are sadly very difficult to get ahold of.
Click to expand...

Great thread. Thanks. I've been an avid cyclist since the early 80s. Guns are a relatively new hobby for me.

I know you said for practical reasons you'd prefer the updated version of the Swiss Army bike, but you can get the old ones stateside:

http://www.swissarmyvehicles.com/shpics.php?table=vehicles&idnum=17

I have a 1945 version from these guys. I don't recall how much $$ shipping was, but their price of $350 is very good. When they come up on ebay (rarely), I seem to recall they go for at least twice that. They are a real tank, though, and it'd be hard to imagine riding one of these into the woods, though that's exactly what they were used for. Also, replacement parts are hard to come by, and removing the rear wheel to fix a flat is a real PITA.

So, as I understand it, you're having trouble finding a mtb-type bike with high enough bars and something to attach a rifle to? How 'bout a custom frame? Before you :eek:, check out frameforum.net. There are many many framebuilders out there, and many are very talented and capable hobbyists who are looking for an excuse to build something cool. You might be able to find someone to build exactly what you're looking for. Since they're hobbyist, they're not in it for the $$, and you could have them send it to you unpainted. Throw some Krylon on it and you're good to go.
 
Cosmoline, I fully disagree. Almost every mountain bike maker out there has a steel or aluminum "hard tail" mountain bike. The gearing gives you a nice fat wide range, most will run 2.5" to 3" wide tires. Some have innovations like disc brakes and 27 speed indexed shifting....hardly "bizarre tech-heavy creations ". You're probably thinking of things like freeride bikes, or downhill bikes, which are seriously specialized to one purpose. Even full suspension cross country bikes are probably not suited (but adaptable) to your needs. With a little due dilligence on ebay or craigs list you could probably come up with even a slightly older rigid mountain bike or touring bike.

Obviously your size may dictate a different bike, these are examples....

http://cgi.ebay.com/KHS-Montana-Spo...6QQihZ017QQcategoryZ98083QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/SPECIALIZED-ROC...ryZ98083QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.com/Trek-Mountain-T...ryZ98083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Trek 850...classic
http://cgi.ebay.com/TREK-850-SHIMAN...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

PS:
I was riding a loop out here in a National Forest Park on my road bike and overtook a guy in full touring gear. Front and rear panniers, handlebar bag....probably 70-100lbs of gear. I dropped my pace to his and we chatted for about 5 miles. The bike was just a beat up old mountain bike, rigid, 26" hybrid style tires. He was practice touring, He is leaving this month via rail to Kalifornistan, and touring from Kalifornistan back to Virginia. 3 months-ish.
 
I can buy a .22 for the price of two tanks of gas for my SUV. Decent pump shotgun for 4 tanks. My main residence is in a medium sized city, but within a mile and a half of home I have my clinic, my daughter's school, 3 grocery stores, 3 gun stores, and just about everything else I need on a regular basis. I do a lot of walking and biking, and save the car for when the weather is foul or I have someone or something large to haul with me (and longer trips).

I have ridden a bike with an ar15 (legal as a hunting rifle here) on a sling before. Not around town, except once. Just when I'm out at the country. The Sharps rifle is too long to do this with, as it reaches my knee when it's on my shoulder. the sharps uses a single-point sling. The Ar in question does not.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Z
  • Locked
Fuel economy -vs- open carry and storage
Replies
4
Views
451
DMK
DMK
J
  • Locked
The bug out bicycle (long)
2 3
Replies
67
Views
3K
JamisJockey
J
D
  • Locked
Rifle for Bicycling to Alaska
Replies
23
Views
1K
Ebbtide
E
C
  • Locked
The Latest Bike Gear, Some Updates
Replies
8
Views
291
Shadow 7D
S
F
  • Locked
New Style of Firearms Television
2
Replies
44
Views
3K
LAK
L
Back
Top