How are you transporting your Merida?

[ChrisB NZ]

Hi all. Just wondering how you are all transporting your Meridas?

I've got one of those tow ball mounted bike carriers with two foam covered arms. So one arm goes though the frame and one arm between the frame and the front suspension fork. My rack is pretty sturdy, but I've found that with the design of the Merida frame there is a lot of weight on the bottom of the top tube where it sits on the rack arm. Basically, the full motor weight is on the top tube. And because the top tube has a triangular shape, there is a lot of weight on a small area. This resulted in the tube wearing through the foam on the rack arm and a fairly large amount of paint taken off the bottom of the top tube ?

So now I put extra foam padding between the frame and the rack arm. I've had a look at the Thule XT foldable rack which looks really good - especially since we carry two bikes. My only worry with this one is whether, with my 4WD wagon, the bike wheel would be too close to the exhaust. I've already blown up one MTB tyre by placing the bike on the rack with the wheel too close to the exhaust!

 

[Bonz]

Hi all. Just wondering how you are all transporting your Meridas?

I've got one of those tow ball mounted bike carriers with two foam covered arms. So one arm goes though the frame and one arm between the frame and the front suspension fork. My rack is pretty sturdy, but I've found that with the design of the Merida frame there is a lot of weight on the bottom of the top tube where it sits on the rack arm. Basically, the full motor weight is on the top tube. And because the top tube has a triangular shape, there is a lot of weight on a small area. This resulted in the tube wearing through the foam on the rack arm and a fairly large amount of paint taken off the bottom of the top tube ?

So now I put extra foam padding between the frame and the rack arm. I've had a look at the Thule XT foldable rack which looks really good - especially since we carry two bikes. My only worry with this one is whether, with my 4WD wagon, the bike wheel would be too close to the exhaust. I've already blown up one MTB tyre by placing the bike on the rack with the wheel too close to the exhaust!

We use an Ezigrip Ebike rack on our 4wd. Easy to load both our ebikes and much cheaper than Thule. Got one from Torpedo on special for $650.
Otherwise maybe try an exhaust extension to take the heat away from the wheel.
Good luck.

 

[ChrisB NZ]

Thanks Bonz. I'll take a look at it. My existing rack is an Ezigrip. Very solid. I'm thinking now that the two arm racks may be just a Kiwi thing? The bikes do obscure the lights which is a bit of an issue. Pretty hard to know if the exhaust is going to be a problem until I try it.

 

[Cinnamon]

Just like analog bike. Thule ProRide 598. Just remove battery first and you are ready to go.

 

[ChrisB NZ]

You must be strong Pipo! I'd need a ladder and probably an extra pair of hands

 

[Cinnamon]

Well...would not call myself strong...try it..if I am able to do it anyone is...?

 

[ChrisB NZ]

My 4WD SUV is over 1.8m high! Would need a ladder LOL

 

[Stan]

Saris super clamp ex. Does the job very well. You need a hitch type tow bar.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I've looked at getting a motocycle rack. Much cheaper than a bike rack, and certain to be strong enough!

 

[flash]

I carry two Merida e-bkies regularly on my Thule Easyfold XT2. Full sus at 22.5kg and hardtail at 19kg, both with batteries. Never take the batteries out. Never had issues. Stupidly expensive but I'm glad I have it.

Also you can wash your bikes at home while they're on the rack, which is a bonus.

Gordon

 

[Cranker]

Yakima Highroad seems pretty solid!

 

[R120]

Yakima Highroad seems pretty solid!

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I have just got a Highroad - how are you finding it, any issues with the weight of the emtb?

 

[Cranker]

I have just got a Highroad - how are you finding it, any issues with the weight of the emtb?

Only done 2 trips with the Merida on top of the roof. Yakima seems to be a lot more sturdier than the Thule. I can just managed to lift the e160 onto the roof by taking the battery out coz I’m weak as piss!!!??

 

[Jackware]

Only done 2 trips with the Merida on top of the roof. Yakima seems to be a lot more sturdier than the Thule. I can just managed to lift the e160 onto the roof by taking the battery out coz I’m weak as piss!!!??

And removing the battery takes the bike under the 20kg limit of the Highroad

 

[R120]

Yup my bike is sub 20kg with the battery out so should be ok.

 

[ChrisB NZ]

Yakima Highroad seems pretty solid!

View attachment 32889

Great photo. Looks like a beast up there! I don't think I could lift it up there anymore. Well my car roof is about 1.8m high as well ?

 

[OldGoatMTB]

They're all beasts! I can't even get mine in the back of my Ford Econoline sideways with the front wheel removed!

 

[Nairbr]

Yakima Hold Up, does the job for me and takes 2 bikes.

 

[R120]

Not a Merida but been using the High Road for the past week with no issues, very impressed with it, seems overbuilt compared to others I have had, in a good way - my car is pretty low, and I went with Cruz bars which are the lowest profile I could find to keep the height to lift up the bike to a minimum, so its easy to get the bike on, and my bikes is bank on 20kg without the battery.

I put a rubber matt behind the rear rail, lift bike up putting the rear wheel on the mat whilst sliding front wheel in, the tighten up the front, lift rear wheel into place and strap it down. I have the rear wheel holder as far back as it will go - the Vitus is pretty long, but I think anything longer and you would have an issue. Its actually harder to get the bike off, I just reverse the process and its all ok, but taking the rear wheel off first and putting it on the rubber mat really helps.

 

[ChrisB NZ]

Not a Merida but been using the High Road for the past week with no issues, very impressed with it, seems overbuilt compared to others I have had, in a good way - my car is pretty low, and I went with Cruz bars which are the lowest profile I could find to keep the height to lift up the bike to a minimum, so its easy to get the bike on, and my bikes is bank on 20kg without the battery.

I put a rubber matt behind the rear rail, lift bike up putting the rear wheel on the mat whilst sliding front wheel in, the tighten up the front, lift rear wheel into place and strap it down. I have the rear wheel holder as far back as it will go - the Vitus is pretty long, but I think anything longer and you would have an issue. Its actually harder to get the bike off, I just reverse the process and its all ok, but taking the rear wheel off first and putting it on the rubber mat really helps.

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Very nice! With that car, and a bit of a run on, you could almost ride it up there ?