Custom Tow-Hook Bike Rack

[phobos512]

Originally Posted by Quentin

Trunk racks are the least secure and most damaging way to carry a bike on your car.

Don't get me wrong - I really like the idea of the tow eye rack. But I had my bike on the back of my C350 (with lip spoiler) for ~1500 miles and it didn't cause a single issue. I don't see how one of these, installed properly, can cause damage. This is the rack I used:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Allen-Spor...-Rack/23091634

And my brother uses this one on his Civic, also with spoiler:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Allen-Delu...102DB/10811998

I see a lot of huge MTBs/DHs in these threads - is that maybe why? Because we're both rocking CF roadies that weigh something like 12 lbs? Just trying to understand, that's all.

[soundman98]

some of it is just those of us that are anal about the paintwork..

but yes, some of it is the xc/dh compared to road bikes...

i have a saris 3-bike bones rack, and the one time i didn't put towels under all the points where it touched my old car, i ended up with 3 spots that took on the appearance of about 1500 grit sand paper(car was just washed, and the pads were wiped down, so i thought i could get away with no grit between the rack and the car)... for the most part, just using towels below the points where it touched the car was enough, but the rack always scared me a little, as it was never able to be firmly secured to the car, so 2 15+lb bikes liked to sway a lot on the road..

[that_guy]

The thing I found was that in order to prevent movement, you needed to have it fairly tight. Doing so meant that it likely dug into the metal on the car. The sheet metal of this car is very light, so the chances of denting it are quite high.

It's just unnecessary risk really. There are enough custom options available from members of these forums that you don't need to use something that WILL cause damage.

[mistressmotorsports]

These just look fantastic. Can't wait for mine. Road bike can go in the trunk for now, but a muddy, long wheelbase 29er really wants to be on the outside of the car.

[retrosmiths]

@that_guy, I've taken the bike rack around 50 miles of highway and 20 miles of city driving, I then noticed that there is a subtle shaking sound in the driver side. I stopped to check the fitment and everything is tight. I wonder what it could be.

[Amcox]

Here are the pics. I didnt end up going with the 1up but this thing isnt going anywhere and I am pretty sure I can get a second bike on the rack.

[BoxRZ_86]

Originally Posted by Amcox

Here are the pics. I didnt end up going with the 1up but this thing isnt going anywhere and I am pretty sure I can get a second bike on the rack.

the exact setup I want. are you concerned at all by how much the rear tire sticks out pass the car?

[Amcox]

Originally Posted by Sanka86

the exact setup I want. are you concerned at all by how much the rear tire sticks out pass the car?

Not really it is only about 5 inches when you look at the right angle. From where the picture was taken it looks much more extreme. It should not be a problem and I like that I will be able to see the bike from the mirror.

[phobos512]

Originally Posted by soundman98

some of it is just those of us that are anal about the paintwork..

but yes, some of it is the xc/dh compared to road bikes...

i have a saris 3-bike bones rack, and the one time i didn't put towels under all the points where it touched my old car, i ended up with 3 spots that took on the appearance of about 1500 grit sand paper(car was just washed, and the pads were wiped down, so i thought i could get away with no grit between the rack and the car)... for the most part, just using towels below the points where it touched the car was enough, but the rack always scared me a little, as it was never able to be firmly secured to the car, so 2 15+lb bikes liked to sway a lot on the road..

I gotcha. Could just be the way things are setup on this car. I could actually bounce the back of my Benz with the bike rack it was tied on so well (I mean, they used the Benz in their ads).

So are these tow bolt racks actually for sale now? Anyone want to PM me about a cost? Also, an adapter for a "tailgate" grill, anyone?

EDIT
Whoops, I see that I missed the boat on these already. Wish they'd have sold me the car back in January but they weren't as willing to deal as I required. D'oh.

[that_guy]

Originally Posted by retrosmiths

@that_guy, I've taken the bike rack around 50 miles of highway and 20 miles of city driving, I then noticed that there is a subtle shaking sound in the driver side. I stopped to check the fitment and everything is tight. I wonder what it could be.

Hmmm. Define "shaking sound". Do you hear a small clunk from time to time? If so, it probably just needs to be tightened into the car a hair more. Check the bolts on the 1UP rack just to make sure everything is snug there too.

Outside of that, sure there is no chain slop or anything on your bike? Just running through scenarios here. Let me know.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Amcox

Here are the pics. I didnt end up going with the 1up but this thing isnt going anywhere and I am pretty sure I can get a second bike on the rack.

what is that mount called? that would be perfect for me..

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by phobos512

I gotcha. Could just be the way things are setup on this car. I could actually bounce the back of my Benz with the bike rack it was tied on so well (I mean, they used the Benz in their ads).

So are these tow bolt racks actually for sale now? Anyone want to PM me about a cost? Also, an adapter for a "tailgate" grill, anyone?

EDIT
Whoops, I see that I missed the boat on these already. Wish they'd have sold me the car back in January but they weren't as willing to deal as I required. D'oh.

yeah, i was the last-needed buyer of the GB-- i bought them mostly because i'm not entirely sure they'll be produced again(it took something like 3 months to get 5 people together), and it is a really nice mounting option..


but that said, that_guy was great the entire time-- he kept us all up to date on the progress as things came together, and i'd have no qualms about going through with it again if i had to.

[retrosmiths]

Originally Posted by that_guy

Hmmm. Define "shaking sound". Do you hear a small clunk from time to time? If so, it probably just needs to be tightened into the car a hair more. Check the bolts on the 1UP rack just to make sure everything is snug there too.

Outside of that, sure there is no chain slop or anything on your bike? Just running through scenarios here. Let me know.

Like a dull metallic clunk. I double-checked the tightness and everything is good and tight.

[retrosmiths]

My bad, it looks like it's my torque wrench banging against the breaker bar in the trunk, haha!

Sent from my phone. Might have typos. Sorry.