A ride ready vehicle-mounted bicycle carrier includes a pair of spaced
apart wheel supports and a stabilizing member which is engageable with
the bicycle, preferably with one of the bicycle wheels, at a location
above the wheel supports. One of the wheel supports is in the form of a
pair of spaced apart wheel engagement members which are pivotably mounted
to a structural member associated with the carrier, and which are
configured to grip the wheel so as to provide initial support for the
bicycle on the carrier. The stabilizing member is in the form of a clamp
arm mechanism having a base mounted to the structural member and an
extendible and retractable arm having a wheel-engaging portion at its
outer end, which can be moved into and out of engagement with the wheel.
The clamp arm mechanism is located between the wheel support members, and
is arranged to apply a vertical downward force on the wheel at a location
between the wheel engagement members, to provide a secure three-point
engagement of the wheel and thereby to provide stable mounting of the
bicycle to the carrier.