Buzz Rack tow bar rack

[Paul Mac]

Hi Guys as the title indicates, I'm looking at getting a towbar mounted rack for my car.
Trouble is the nose weight on my towbar is rated at 55kg.
Ideally I would like to get the ebike specific Buzz rack scorpion, which would be ideal but it weighs 18kg on it's own and once you add 2 ebikes to that it takes the weight over the limit.
However they made a smaller version called a Buzz rack eazzy which only weighs 11kg.
But not sure how it would handle the bigger bikes.
Dont suppose anyone has experience with either racks?

 

[p3eps]

Don’t have any experience in them, but I was looking at the Buzz eScorpion 1 just before lockdown.

I have an Atera Strada rack for 3 bikes at the moment, but most of the time I’m going out on my own. I though the single eScorpion might be an easier way of taking just 1 bike. I end up washing 3 slots when I get home as the mud and road dirt sprays all over it - so it’d be nice just to clean a small rack.

I’d still keep the Strada for when I go with mates, or when my kids are old enough to come out.

The only thing that put me off was the fitting video. Looks like it’s a bit of a faff to assemble and fold up after each use. My Strada just has 1 movement - the back folds up and you lock it in place with 2 levers.
I can have it off my garage wall and on the car in about 90 seconds. I think the eScorpion would be 2 or 3 times that.

I could probably get away with the eazzy single as my bike is <18kg, but I’d miss not being able to open the boot.

 

[Yorkshire Rich]

Hi Guys as the title indicates, I'm looking at getting a towbar mounted rack for my car.
Trouble is the nose weight on my towbar is rated at 55kg.
Ideally I would like to get the ebike specific Buzz rack scorpion, which would be ideal but it weighs 18kg on it's own and once you add 2 ebikes to that it takes the weight over the limit.
However they made a smaller version called a Buzz rack eazzy which only weighs 11kg.
But not sure how it would handle the bigger bikes.
Dont suppose anyone has experience with either racks?

Hi paul yes i have the E scorpion 1 and can says it's spot on sturdy as anything i carry my focus jam on it and have used it to dalby and the lake district with zero problems . It's a really really quality piece of kit in my opinion should be far more expensive than it is the price is super.

 

[Yorkshire Rich]

Don’t have any experience in them, but I was looking at the Buzz eScorpion 1 just before lockdown.

I have an Atera Strada rack for 3 bikes at the moment, but most of the time I’m going out on my own. I though the single eScorpion might be an easier way of taking just 1 bike. I end up washing 3 slots when I get home as the mud and road dirt sprays all over it - so it’d be nice just to clean a small rack.

I’d still keep the Strada for when I go with mates, or when my kids are old enough to come out.

The only thing that put me off was the fitting video. Looks like it’s a bit of a faff to assemble and fold up after each use. My Strada just has 1 movement - the back folds up and you lock it in place with 2 levers.
I can have it off my garage wall and on the car in about 90 seconds. I think the eScorpion would be 2 or 3 times that.

I could probably get away with the eazzy single as my bike is <18kg, but I’d miss not being able to open the boot.

It's really easy to fit and take off fitting is as fast as you can tighten the nut with the built in ratchet lever then the drop down arms just lock into place .

 

[p3eps]

Knowing we were near the end of our ‘travel for recreation’ stage, I ordered the eScorpion 1 at the beginning of the week. Once I’d installed the lights etc, it seems fairly simple to take on and off the car.

Definitely doesn’t feel as premium as the Atera, but it was practically half the price. I had to use some zip ties to tidy up the cabling, as a couple of the supplied clips snapped when fitting. I don’t think they’d have kept it all neat anyway!

Seems more secure on my tow ball, and looks less bouncy when driving. Possibly down to it being smaller? The folding mechanism works well, and it easy to activate.

I like having 2 straps holding the front wheel, as it saves having to make the single strap super tight. I think I’ll maybe miss the ratchets of the Atera, as the ‘pull straps’ on the Buzz might be harder to do with freezing hands in the winter?

All in all, my first experience was good, and I’m looking forward to taking my bike a bit further - as the distance restriction in Scotland was lifted today ?

 

[Supratad]

I got mine this week. Test fitting was fine. Nice point about zip ties on the plug lead, I hate having things flapping about on cars.
Not yet driven anywhere though due to poor weather and brake problem. Maybe today.

 

[p3eps]

I got mine this week. Test fitting was fine. Nice point about zip ties on the plug lead, I hate having things flapping about on cars.
Not yet driven anywhere though due to poor weather and brake problem. Maybe today.

I had my Atera Strada DL out today giving it a good clean as it may not be used for a while! I notice their cable routing is essentially a load of zip ties too.

Here’s my eScorpion. A few little zip ties keeping the cables together, and some bigger ones to hold it onto the frame. Have to leave enough slack to allow for the tilting movement!

 

[Supratad]

Have there been any issues with exhaust heat? Mine is a 2 bike one so the inner base is closer to the exhaust tips. The frame and plastic wheel "cups" have been warm, certainly not hot but thats only 30 min drives. Wife and I are considering taking the bikes up to Scotland later this year, as that's a good few hours on the motorways.
Will they heat up too much or will the extra speed/wind dissipate the heat before it can be a problem?

 

[PenSki]

Can’t comment on the heat problem, but mine swivels side to side on the towball. Can’t get it tight enough to grip the towball properly. Anyone else suffer this?

 

[p3eps]

Can’t comment on the heat problem, but mine swivels side to side on the towball. Can’t get it tight enough to grip the towball properly. Anyone else suffer this?

You can make it as tight as you want using the ratchet arm.

 

[p3eps]

My complaint so far is that I have to take the number plate half way out to be able to unclip the number plate holder.

The holder makes the whole thing much wider when attached in the folded position, and I need to remove it to store.
I have a very short plate - so I’m tempted to cut the holder smaller and leave it on permanently... although I’m not sure hacksawing it is the best solution!

Am I missing something, or is there an easier way to unclip the number plate?

 

[Paul Mac]

There is a knack to getting the plate on and off, and once you have got it on and off a few times it loosens a bit.
What I do is flex out the plastic tab on top of the plate holder, the bit with buzz rack written on it.
Then while still flexing it out strike the bottom of the plate holder in an upwards direction with the palm of your hand, it pops straight off no problem. ?

 

[p3eps]

There is a knack to getting the plate on and off, and once you have got it on and off a few times it loosens a bit.
What I do is flex out the plastic tab on top of the plate holder, the bit with buzz rack written on it.
Then while still flexing it out strike the bottom of the plate holder in an upwards direction with the palm of your hand, it pops straight off no problem. ?

I’ll have a look at it tonight... and try your method!
They make it look like taking the number plate holder on and off is part of the setup from the video - so it must be easier than way I’m doing it!

It’s the plastic tab at the bottom middle (behind the plate) that keeps catching - and the only way to unclip it is to slide the plate half out.

 

[Paul Mac]

 

[PenSki]

So am I the only one with the problem of the rack swiveling on the tow ball? I have tightened it to my full strength. Maybe Im a bit too weak!

 

[Paul Mac]

So am I the only one with the problem of the rack swiveling on the tow ball? I have tightened it to my full strength. Maybe Im a bit too weak!

Make sure you unweight the rack a bit when doing up the grey turn wheel.
I.e you can think its tight, but its not seated properly.
As your twisting the knob pull up a bit with the rack and you feel it tighten more.
Then a good few cranks on the lever and all is good.
If yours is still moving, make sure your tow bar is a standard size or not damaged in some way.

 

[p3eps]

Looks simple! Will give that a shot ??

 

[OldBean]

about to buy one of these ....Do i need the longer straps for my 2.6 wheels ???
Focus Jam...BTW.

 

[p3eps]

First time the rack has been on since your video. Spot on - took quite a hit, but I guess that’ll ease off with time! ??

 

[Paul Mac]

about to buy one of these ....Do i need the longer straps for my 2.6 wheels ???
Focus Jam...BTW.

No the standard ones are massive

 

[PenSki]

No luck for me in stopping mine from swivelling on the towball. Mine is an Eazzy but I assume the towball mount would be the same as the Scorpion. I am going to strap the outer edges of the carrier back to the tow bar to stop it swivelling. Not great but its a solution. The Eazzy is the wrong carrier for an Ebike in other ways too. Not recommended.

 

[Edwin]

Can’t comment on the heat problem, but mine swivels side to side on the towball. Can’t get it tight enough to grip the towball properly. Anyone else suffer this?

Sorry this is an older thread.

I had a Buzzrack e-Scorpion 1.

Originally it was nice and tight and didnt swivel.

After 6 months it did. The LBS accepted a return as it was not fit for purpose.

I ended up spending double and got a Thule T2 XTR Pro and it is awesome.

 

[p3eps]

I just tighten it more with the ratchet thing. You can make it as tight as you want so it doesn’t swivel.

 

[theupsetter]

Hi p3eps - any chance you are near Glasgow and would let me try the rack on my van?
I'm trying to work out if the tailgate will open when the rack is tilted.