Bike racks

Fingerpuk

Member
Apr 8, 2020
250
197
Kent
You can’t get a boot mounted ebike rated rack. Not yet anyway.

I’ve decided to get roof bars and Thule something’s once I’ve figured out which ones. Need one for the ebike and one for a dirt jump bike.
 

TheBikePilot

🎥SHOOTER🎥
Patreon
Author
Oct 9, 2018
928
905
Clapham, London
Yup I have a bootrack. Saris Bones 2 Works absolutely fine. I can have it on in around 3 minutes. I have had an eBike and an Analogue on there before with no issues. All I would say is put some pipe insulation on the plastic where the bike meets the rack else you will get rubbing.

You will also need a 'Bike Bar/Beam' for a full sus bike. You can get the Saris one but Halfords do one for £20. All Saris products have a lifetime Warranty.

I also strap the bike to the rack just to stop it flapping in the wind, and strap the front wheel to the frame to stop it spinning. I just use large velcro straps for that. All in all it works a treat.

I personally would put a 24kg eBike on a roofrack but that's just me. Lifting that on and off at the end of a ride is going to be a huge pain.

2E8EC718-6902-4F2B-8A3B-828CE80BB482.jpeg
 
Last edited:

JoeBlow

Active member
Jul 7, 2019
729
448
South West, UK
I've done some research. By far the best option is the Thule Raceway for 2 bikes. It's sturdy secure and does not have those annoying straps flying around. It's rated at 30kg so, in theory, should take my 22kg Trek. The problem is it also states 15kg/bike so I'm not sure which is the valid limit if I only put one bike on it. It's not cheap so before I part with my hard earned cash it would be nice to listen to others experiences.
 

congerball

Active member
Jun 3, 2019
224
217
Yorkshire UK
I need a rack for my car but I’m struggling to find one that will be compatible with a BMW 320D (2004) E46. It’s a saloon. Any suggestions would be appreciated ??
 

JoeBlow

Active member
Jul 7, 2019
729
448
South West, UK
I've done some research. By far the best option is the Thule Raceway for 2 bikes. It's sturdy secure and does not have those annoying straps flying around. It's rated at 30kg so, in theory, should take my 22kg Trek. The problem is it also states 15kg/bike so I'm not sure which is the valid limit if I only put one bike on it. It's not cheap so before I part with my hard earned cash it would be nice to listen to others experiences.
The problem is that you are covering your number plate and lights and I believe that is illegal. I was hoping for a rack that raised the bike above those areas.

Al
 

Fingerpuk

Member
Apr 8, 2020
250
197
Kent
The racks can take the weight but the components holding the bikes into the rack haven’t been tested/verified for anything above 15kg. So if you have a crash your insurance doesn’t have to pay out. So it’s a risk.

I’m buying an estate car as with the seats down I can get three bikes plus gear inside with wheels off.
 

JoeBlow

Active member
Jul 7, 2019
729
448
South West, UK
The racks can take the weight but the components holding the bikes into the rack haven’t been tested/verified for anything above 15kg. So if you have a crash your insurance doesn’t have to pay out. So it’s a risk.

I’m buying an estate car as with the seats down I can get three bikes plus gear inside with wheels off.
Yes I am reluctantly coming to the conclusion that is what I need to continue doing. I have an SUV but maneuvering the bike into the space is still awkward as it is so heavy. I could do with a sheet of rigid plastic to slide it on. I tried trolley wheels but that didn't work. A sheet of tarp helps a little.

Al
 

JoeBlow

Active member
Jul 7, 2019
729
448
South West, UK
I Personally wouldn't put a 24kg eBike hanging rack OR a roofrack, but that's just me. ;)
I agree. I have dismissed the idea. It's not just the weight of the bike, I honestly do think a Saris Bones 2 would handle the weight of 21 kg with the battery removed. You can fit a sleeve to cover the battery compartment to counter the water ingress issue but it is also the faff of having to extend the car lights and number plate as I don't think it's possible to get the bike high enough to leave these clear.

What would be handy to know is if anyone has any handy tips for making getting the bike into the back of the car any easier. Ideally some form of sliding rail arrangement. The best I've come up with is a couple of sheets of plastic tarp used so that one slides/ruckles on top of the other. I've also used a piece of ply to cover the gap that is formed by the joint in the seats that catches the pedals.

Al
 

Fingerpuk

Member
Apr 8, 2020
250
197
Kent
Sorry to derail but does anyone know of strap clamps that can be used on existing straps to stop them coming loose? My carrier has little buckets to tighten the straps, but after two miles they’ve started to loosen. The rack would be great if I could ensure the straps stayed tight.
 

Jackware

Fat-tyred Freakazoid
Subscriber
Oct 30, 2018
2,086
2,298
Lancashire
I agree. I have dismissed the idea. It's not just the weight of the bike, I honestly do think a Saris Bones 2 would handle the weight of 21 kg with the battery removed. You can fit a sleeve to cover the battery compartment to counter the water ingress issue but it is also the faff of having to extend the car lights and number plate as I don't think it's possible to get the bike high enough to leave these clear.

What would be handy to know is if anyone has any handy tips for making getting the bike into the back of the car any easier. Ideally some form of sliding rail arrangement. The best I've come up with is a couple of sheets of plastic tarp used so that one slides/ruckles on top of the other. I've also used a piece of ply to cover the gap that is formed by the joint in the seats that catches the pedals.

Al
I can get my large fat ebike easily into my Ford Focus hatch by taking the wheels off. I store the wheels in wheelbags (EVOC double wheel bags are perfect) to contain the mud and water and making them easier to handle.
A large plastic lined lined builders dust sheet is draped in the boot and over the reclined back seats, doors etc.
If I'm leaving the car at any point I also use the back seat securing hoops on the side to chain the bike to and cover it over with black sheet.
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
Subscriber
Mar 29, 2018
10,496
10,702
the internet
How can I stop my straps coming loose?

I need answers! :)
Do them up properly, making sure to re-tension them properly once you've loaded the rack up and secured the bike. and then tie the ends in the correct direction so that the buckles can't slip.
if that doesn't work bin the carrier and buy something that is actually decent quality. Your bike rack and bike falling off could cause a very serious accident.

Even better, have a towbar fitted and buy a good quality towbar mounted rack with lighting/numberplate board.
 

Fingerpuk

Member
Apr 8, 2020
250
197
Kent
I can’t get a tow bar fitted. The M sports suspension linkages don’t allow for it.

I’ve found some webbing clips that I’m hoping will help, otherwise it’ll be a Berlingo.
 

tophies

Member
Sep 16, 2019
16
5
UK
I have a Levo and I drive a Rav4 (2017) sometimes I put the bike in the back with the seats down, but I still have to remove the front wheel and like you say it is a tad heavy to manoeuvre.
As its a company car getting a towbar fitted is too expensive every 4 years. So I bought a hollywood rack. I will say that this is the best for carrying the Levo and works really well - but you have to also get the extension bar link here to be able to support the bike as the frame wont sit right

By the way Bike Racks, Carriers, Storage | Trunk, Hitch, Tire - Hollywood Racks do some good install videos to show you what car they fit as well
 

Canmore TLCC 29

Active member
Jun 16, 2020
142
115
Canmore, AB Canada
I need a rack for my car but I’m struggling to find one that will be compatible with a BMW 320D (2004) E46. It’s a saloon. Any suggestions would be appreciated ??
We are having a 1-1/4 receiver installed and going with the Swagman Current. It can handle up to 200 ftlb torque. Total cost less than $1000 CAD.
 

JER4096

Member
Jan 20, 2018
5
2
Hartford, Cheshire
Yes I am reluctantly coming to the conclusion that is what I need to continue doing. I have an SUV but maneuvering the bike into the space is still awkward as it is so heavy. I could do with a sheet of rigid plastic to slide it on. I tried trolley wheels but that didn't work. A sheet of tarp helps a little.

Al
Hi. With a Mazda CX-5 SUV, I've found a black plastic boot-liner helpful for sliding Turbo Levo in, with front wheel off.
 

Canmore TLCC 29

Active member
Jun 16, 2020
142
115
Canmore, AB Canada
I can’t get a tow bar fitted. The M sports suspension linkages don’t allow for it.

I’ve found some webbing clips that I’m hoping will help, otherwise it’ll be a Berlingo.
I would never put a rack of any kind on my 2008 M3 hardtop convertible. But I could fit amazing things in the back seat because of the convertible top. Sadly, a Turbo Levo is not on of them.
 

Giff

Active member
Subscriber
Oct 14, 2019
459
127
Cheshire UK
I agree. I have dismissed the idea. It's not just the weight of the bike, I honestly do think a Saris Bones 2 would handle the weight of 21 kg with the battery removed. You can fit a sleeve to cover the battery compartment to counter the water ingress issue but it is also the faff of having to extend the car lights and number plate as I don't think it's possible to get the bike high enough to leave these clear.

What would be handy to know is if anyone has any handy tips for making getting the bike into the back of the car any easier. Ideally some form of sliding rail arrangement. The best I've come up with is a couple of sheets of plastic tarp used so that one slides/ruckles on top of the other. I've also used a piece of ply to cover the gap that is formed by the joint in the seats that catches the pedals.

Al
I do that. Slide it in on a large thick plastic sheet. Drive side up and the opposite pedal off.
 

Hamina

E*POWAH Master
Mar 22, 2020
500
396
FIN
Eufab Premium II has been ok. Just drove 1200km with two EMTBs with it. We didn't remove the batteries. You might want to update the "hangers" to a newer model where you can attach the rachet around the frame. Max is 60kg. There's also the fatbike tireholders but I've managed with the originals with 2,6" tires.

Price was a little cheaper than Thule and quality seems to be good.

1600x1600___121677_1600x1600_v1.png 1600x1600___165846_1600x1600_v1.png
 

p3eps

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Subscriber
Dec 14, 2019
1,982
2,398
Scotland
Second outing with this today now we can travel further than 5 miles for recreation IN Scotland!
Simple to use and seems fairly sturdy and stable...
Buzzrack eScorpion 1

4CC674FF-493F-4CBC-AE44-15E7498F1411.jpeg
 

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