Tow bar mounted bike racks

[Mikerb]

I am considering fitting a toe bar to my BMW and then using tow bar mounted bike rack. I intend carrying 2 EMTBS.
Looking at options I have short listed 2 racks and I am wondering if anyone here has experience of either one to help me decide.
Option 1: Thile EPOS 2 bike carrier
Option 2: Buzzrack Scorpion Pro 2.

The Thule is double the price of the Scorpion and highly recommended by BikeRadar so that plus the Brand...and price....suggest it is probably the safe choice...BUT is the much cheaper Scorpion just as good?

 

[SimonDee]

I've always had Buzz racks. Less refined than the German bling but never had any unexpected problems

 

[irie]

I've always had Buzz racks. Less refined than the German bling but never had any unexpected problems

Very strong with excellent quality welding. Carry 2 x Trek Rails (alloy) on our Buzzrack E-Scorpion 2 no probs.

Best way to transport E bikes without lifting

I realize this is kind of a generic question, but we are about to embark on the emtb trail and have no way of transporting the bikes - neither of our current cars can hold them nor are they ideal for putting a hitch on. So I will be getting a new vehicle and am open to anything. I'm looking...

www.emtbforums.com

 

[Mikerb]

thanks both. I suspect as you have said the Scorpion will do the job. In fact both myself and my son are in need of bike racks and he will buy the Scorpion based on your feedback. .....however I found a good deal on the Thule so I have decided to go for that one for myself. It will be interesting to compare them!!

 

[steve_sordy]

@Mikerb I have a Thule tow-bar rack and its strong and well made.

The clamps are also good, but I've three times had problems with the clamp losing its grip on the bike. Two different bikes, both carbon fibre. Maybe I didn't tighten the clamps enough, maybe it was because I had some closed cell polyurethane foam in between the grips and the bike. Both down to my fear of crushing the carbon fibre frames as neither were round section. I tried the clamp above the top tube and also below the top tube. I can tell you that when you suddenly notice that your bike is not in the rear view and is dragging along the road, it's a heart stopping moment!

So how did I fix it? At first, I tied a leather strap around both, but I never felt comfortable with it, then in a local market, I found some rubber-covered wire-cored cable that could be wound in a figure of eight around the clamp and top tube. That really worked and I had 100% confidence in it. But it wore out in the end from all that bending and straightening.

Then I found The Mega Twist Gear Tie!

Nite Ize Gear Tie Mega Twist Tie - 32" - Orange | Outside.co.uk

Also available from Amazon.

They come in different lengths, but you will need the 32". I can carry two bikes on my rack, so I bought two of these. They last ages! Recommended for peace of mind.

 

[Scuirus]

I have one Thule EPOS 2 and one Thule EasyFold 2.

I have one eMTB with aluminum frame and one with carbon frame. I have used both bike racks with the carbon frame bike and both hold it well in place. I use the Thule carbon frame protector with the carbon frame. EPOS is probably safer since it grips around the frame.

Thule Carbon Frame Protector | Thule | United Kingdom

 

[Mikerb]

@Mikerb I have a Thule tow-bar rack and its strong and well made.

The clamps are also good, but I've three times had problems with the clamp losing its grip on the bike. Two different bikes, both carbon fibre. Maybe I didn't tighten the clamps enough, maybe it was because I had some closed cell polyurethane foam in between the grips and the bike. Both down to my fear of crushing the carbon fibre frames as neither were round section. I tried the clamp above the top tube and also below the top tube. I can tell you that when you suddenly notice that your bike is not in the rear view and is dragging along the road, it's a heart stopping moment!

So how did I fix it? At first, I tied a leather strap around both, but I never felt comfortable with it, then in a local market, I found some rubber-covered wire-cored cable that could be wound in a figure of eight around the clamp and top tube. That really worked and I had 100% confidence in it. But it wore out in the end from all that bending and straightening.

Then I found The Mega Twist Gear Tie!

View attachment 156557

View attachment 156558

Nite Ize Gear Tie Mega Twist Tie - 32" - Orange | Outside.co.uk

Also available from Amazon.

They come in different lengths, but you will need the 32". I can carry two bikes on my rack, so I bought two of these. They last ages! Recommended for peace of mind.

thanks for the tips Steve. The Epos 2 does not use jaw clamps but rather steel reinforced rubber ratchet straps (lockable) so I hope that proves to be a better fixing method.

 

[j14ben]

I have a Thule Easy Fold XT 2 bike rack, used it with 2x emtbs and it's coped fine, just one point the easyfold has a low clamp height which can be tricky on some emtbs, my last bike and my existing one have both had to be clamped on the shock, if it is a problem then the Fiamma Bike Block Pro D1 works just as well as the Thule clamps

 

[Oldandslowguy]

I am considering fitting a toe bar to my BMW and then using tow bar mounted bike rack. I intend carrying 2 EMTBS.
Looking at options I have short listed 2 racks and I am wondering if anyone here has experience of either one to help me decide.
Option 1: Thile EPOS 2 bike carrier
Option 2: Buzzrack Scorpion Pro 2.

The Thule is double the price of the Scorpion and highly recommended by BikeRadar so that plus the Brand...and price....suggest it is probably the safe choice...BUT is the much cheaper Scorpion just as good?

I have a 1UP USA and it is awesome! 75mph down the freeway and my EMTB hardly moves at all! I’ve owned it awhile and never had a problem.

 

[Old Codger]

@Mikerb I have a Thule tow-bar rack and its strong and well made.

The clamps are also good, but I've three times had problems with the clamp losing its grip on the bike. Two different bikes, both carbon fibre. Maybe I didn't tighten the clamps enough, maybe it was because I had some closed cell polyurethane foam in between the grips and the bike. Both down to my fear of crushing the carbon fibre frames as neither were round section. I tried the clamp above the top tube and also below the top tube. I can tell you that when you suddenly notice that your bike is not in the rear view and is dragging along the road, it's a heart stopping moment!

So how did I fix it? At first, I tied a leather strap around both, but I never felt comfortable with it, then in a local market, I found some rubber-covered wire-cored cable that could be wound in a figure of eight around the clamp and top tube. That really worked and I had 100% confidence in it. But it wore out in the end from all that bending and straightening.

Then I found The Mega Twist Gear Tie!

View attachment 156557

View attachment 156558

Nite Ize Gear Tie Mega Twist Tie - 32" - Orange | Outside.co.uk

Also available from Amazon.

They come in different lengths, but you will need the 32". I can carry two bikes on my rack, so I bought two of these. They last ages! Recommended for peace of mind.

I have the same Thule rack but am having real problems finding somewhere to clamp my Cube.
The top tube is too thick at the front and the rear shock is under the back.
I purchased the false crossbar from Halfrauds but it won’t fit around the top tube due to the small space and the cables going into the headset. Not sure what to do next.

 

[steve_sordy]

I have the same Thule rack but am having real problems finding somewhere to clamp my Cube.
The top tube is too thick at the front and the rear shock is under the back.
I purchased the false crossbar from Halfrauds but it won’t fit around the top tube due to the small space and the cables going into the headset. Not sure what to do next.

Have you tried turning the bike around? Ring facing in instead of out for example. That will present different frame sections to the clamps.
Is clamping on the seat tube out of the question?
Might it help to dismantle the clamp where it fits onto the rack and move it from the horizontal tube onto one of the side tubes of the rack?
I assume that your clamps also twist.

 

[Scuirus]

This Thule model is symmetrical, so turning the bike will not change anything more than sliding the attachment a bit sideways.

I'm quite sure the problem is the use of foam for protecting the frame. The Thule Carbon Frame Protector is quite rigid.

 

[Old Codger]

Have you tried turning the bike around? Ring facing in instead of out for example. That will present different frame sections to the clamps.
Is clamping on the seat tube out of the question?
Might it help to dismantle the clamp where it fits onto the rack and move it from the horizontal tube onto one of the side tubes of the rack?
I assume that your clamps also twist.

Yes tried the clamps in different places And they do twist. Getting the bike home on purchase I seem to remember clamping the short seat post tube above the motor but now I have a bottle mount in there. Will have another look at the seat post but it’s a dropper and I wasn’t happy with clamping onto a piston.
I’ve just removed the clamps off an old Strada rack which are lockable ratchet straps and will fit the Thule frame so I will have a broddle with these. These don’t have the large locking knob like on the Thule.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[Gareth]

I am considering fitting a toe bar to my BMW and then using tow bar mounted bike rack. I intend carrying 2 EMTBS.
Looking at options I have short listed 2 racks and I am wondering if anyone here has experience of either one to help me decide.
Option 1: Thile EPOS 2 bike carrier
Option 2: Buzzrack Scorpion Pro 2.

The Thule is double the price of the Scorpion and highly recommended by BikeRadar so that plus the Brand...and price....suggest it is probably the safe choice...BUT is the much cheaper Scorpion just as good?

The BUZZ RACK looks like it has a similar clamping method to my Thule Easy Fold XT. Its not ideal and struggles a bit with top tubes with a varying diameter - ie most emtbs. Also not great with Carbon bikes. I do have to be careful securing the bike on the rack. However once I have it on, and after I have stopped to check and tighten it once or twice, its is on and it ain't going anywhere.

The new Thule clamping system looks potentially a lot better. And annoying that there is no upgrade kit for my Easy Fold.

Best thing to do is watch a few youtube reviews of the racks you are interested in.

I also checked with the firm that fitted my tow bar before I bought the rack. My Easy Fold needs a good bit of clearance from the bumper, so getting the right tow bar is important.

 

[Mikerb]

The BUZZ RACK looks like it has a similar clamping method to my Thule Easy Fold XT. Its not ideal and struggles a bit with top tubes with a varying diameter - ie most emtbs. Also not great with Carbon bikes. I do have to be careful securing the bike on the rack. However once I have it on, and after I have stopped to check and tighten it once or twice, its is on and it ain't going anywhere.

The new Thule clamping system looks potentially a lot better. And annoying that there is no upgrade kit for my Easy Fold.

Best thing to do is watch a few youtube reviews of the racks you are interested in.

I also checked with the firm that fitted my tow bar before I bought the rack. My Easy Fold needs a good bit of clearance from the bumper, so getting the right tow bar is important.

your final point re clearance between bumper and top hitch is one that I also considered had been overlooked on tow bar online fitting services so rather than just booking online I send an email to request confirmation that whatever tow hitch was fitted would fit OK with my Thule rack

 

[Reidy]

I have the same Thule rack but am having real problems finding somewhere to clamp my Cube.
The top tube is too thick at the front and the rear shock is under the back.
I purchased the false crossbar from Halfrauds but it won’t fit around the top tube due to the small space and the cables going into the headset. Not sure what to do next.

Had same problems on my Cube with Halfords crossbar, Decathlon one fitted well.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/bike-frame-adaptor-bar-for-bike-rack/_/R-p-328787

 

[Old Codger]

Had same problems on my Cube with Halfords crossbar, Decathlon one fitted well.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/bike-frame-adaptor-bar-for-bike-rack/_/R-p-328787

The space between the handlebar and headset is very small and complicated by the cable routing into the front of the headset. I think the width of the straps on the Decathlon bar would still be too wide.