Topic Bikeracks
Carting the 2 bikes around on various contraptions has been an education.
Initially bought this hitch-mount type because it looked to be the easiest to use.
Pro's: quite sturdy and foldable except the goose-neck hitch mount part at the bottom. Easy access to rear door/ boot even when the bikes are strapped on.
Cheap to buy, local support and distributor (Brisbane)
Cons: HEAVY to handle, smaller SUV's (like our Mitsi/most VWs/Mazda/Honda etc) have a 40x40mm square hitch receiver for which we needed a $150 adapter (Ebay)
It also needs tools for mounting, laying on the ground to tighten grub-bolts etc, making things awkward and time-consuming.
Needs some storage space when not on car
Once mounted, the bikes go on easily but need some extra straps and spacers to minimize movement of the whole shebang that close to the back of the car and within itself, but
it's not a quick and easy affair to attach to...or remove from...the car and securely strap/ remove the bikes, adding at least 20-30mins each end of a bike-ride.
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Being sick and tired of treadling the same old loop week after week for over 10 years now, it's time to cart the bikes to somewhere nearby and see some other parts of Greater Melbourne.
Goodie told me about a lady in her walking group who "just attaches the rack and bike" in minutes, no tools.... and that being a tiny 5' wisp of a person.
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Pros: manual towball-clamp for standard 50mm, no tools needed, no extra hardware needed (maybe some extra short cambuckle straps to secure the bikes), far lighter than be above, mounts/removes literally in seconds,
folds flat, stows easily in car-boot/ luggage area/ behind seats etc. when the bikes are off and you're treadling the countryside, hardly any storage space needed when not in use,
Cons: Rear door/ boot blocked from opening when rack is fitted, max capacity 30kg (not enough for 2 E-bikes), not cheap but sometimes pops up on Marketplace/Gumtree 2.hand....and there are no wear-parts on this.
The little thing works like a charm with our 2 old-style pushies, just sit the base on the towball, push down the self-locking tensioning-brace until it clicks, hang the bike and close the rubber straps, fix cambuckle strap ....all done.
It sure makes life easier....
Carting the 2 bikes around on various contraptions has been an education.
Initially bought this hitch-mount type because it looked to be the easiest to use.
Pro's: quite sturdy and foldable except the goose-neck hitch mount part at the bottom. Easy access to rear door/ boot even when the bikes are strapped on.
Cheap to buy, local support and distributor (Brisbane)
Cons: HEAVY to handle, smaller SUV's (like our Mitsi/most VWs/Mazda/Honda etc) have a 40x40mm square hitch receiver for which we needed a $150 adapter (Ebay)
It also needs tools for mounting, laying on the ground to tighten grub-bolts etc, making things awkward and time-consuming.
Needs some storage space when not on car
Once mounted, the bikes go on easily but need some extra straps and spacers to minimize movement of the whole shebang that close to the back of the car and within itself, but
it's not a quick and easy affair to attach to...or remove from...the car and securely strap/ remove the bikes, adding at least 20-30mins each end of a bike-ride.
*******************************************************************************************************
Being sick and tired of treadling the same old loop week after week for over 10 years now, it's time to cart the bikes to somewhere nearby and see some other parts of Greater Melbourne.
Goodie told me about a lady in her walking group who "just attaches the rack and bike" in minutes, no tools.... and that being a tiny 5' wisp of a person.
********************************************************************************************************
Pros: manual towball-clamp for standard 50mm, no tools needed, no extra hardware needed (maybe some extra short cambuckle straps to secure the bikes), far lighter than be above, mounts/removes literally in seconds,
folds flat, stows easily in car-boot/ luggage area/ behind seats etc. when the bikes are off and you're treadling the countryside, hardly any storage space needed when not in use,
Cons: Rear door/ boot blocked from opening when rack is fitted, max capacity 30kg (not enough for 2 E-bikes), not cheap but sometimes pops up on Marketplace/Gumtree 2.hand....and there are no wear-parts on this.
The little thing works like a charm with our 2 old-style pushies, just sit the base on the towball, push down the self-locking tensioning-brace until it clicks, hang the bike and close the rubber straps, fix cambuckle strap ....all done.
It sure makes life easier....
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