New Bike Rack

Nasher · 29 August 2010, 20:35

Myself and the Smaller Nashers got a chance today to try out the 'Hay Bale' type Bike rack I picked up on ebay a few weeks ago.

I've wanted one of these for a while, but couldn't justify the £140 - £180 they always sold for on ebay used, and certainly not the new price.
I was on ebay at just the right time when this one was put up at £65 Buy it now, and the guy was even travelling near to my home a week later so I didn't even need to go too far to collect it.

It did come with a Euro spec electrics plug and a UK adaptor, but I cut that off and fitted a spare UK plug I had.

I'm very impressed, although it slopes down very slightly it's very stable and doesn't move around once it's clamped to the tow bar. I'll sort the downward slope with an extra piece of metal welded in under the clamp to get it level. There is plenty of room for Mrs Nashers bike on there too when she wants to join us.

It's not obvious in these images but there is a vertical bar with clamps to hold the bikes upright.

You never know I may want to carry a bale of Hay one day too but It would also be great for carrying the smaller Nashers SIB rolled up instead of putting it in the back when it’s all wet.

Nasher

Hightower · 29 August 2010, 20:55

Good find Nasher!

But it doesn't look too stable in the photo to me. You say it's just clamped to the towbar? Must be some bracket!

Does it fold up when not in use?

Mollers · 29 August 2010, 20:57

Will it carry a Smart car?

Nasher · 29 August 2010, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

But it doesn't look too stable in the photo to me.

I thought that before I managed to get a good look at a similar one a few months ago.

The clamp is shaped around the neck of the tow ball and its very stable.

Little Nasher stood on it as far away from the towball as he could get, in the rearmost offside corner. It took all his weight and didn't tilt over or move at all. You just drop it on the towball and clamp it up with a big spanner supplied.

It appears to defy the rules of engineering, but next time you are over I'll put it on for you as you won't believe how rock solid it is, I didn't until I tried it.

Because the Discos tailgate is split I can even still just about open the top half of the tailgate with the bikes in place.

I’m not sure of the make as it’s not branded, and I’ve not seen one exactly the same, so I haven’t yet found it’s max weight spec. Thule and all the other big players make a version and they are popular in the states for carrying additional luggage around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Does it fold up when not in use?

Unfortunately not.

Oh and Mollers, why on earth would I want a smart car anywhere near it?
I'd have to hide my face with a paper bag to avoid the shame.

Nasher

Mollers · 29 August 2010, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Oh and Mollers, why on earth would I want a smart car anywhere near it?

Nasher

It's just that it looked about the right size.

Nasher · 29 August 2010, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

It's just that it looked about the right size.

Yep, I know what you mean

Heres a better image showing what the bikes clamp to.

Nasher.

Mollers · 29 August 2010, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Yep, I know what you mean

Heres a better image showing what the bikes clamp to.

Nasher.

You could strap the front wheels of a Smart on there and trail the rears. Don't forget to disconnect the battery to prevent it from dropping into gear.

Hightower · 30 August 2010, 02:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

You could strap the front wheels of a Smart on there and trail the rears. Don't forget to disconnect the battery to prevent it from dropping into gear.

Sounds like you've towed one of these Smart car things behind you at some point

Hightower · 30 August 2010, 02:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

I thought that before I managed to get a good look at a similar one a few months ago.

The clamp is shaped around the neck of the tow ball and its very stable.

Little Nasher stood on it as far away from the towball as he could get, in the rearmost offside corner. It took all his weight and didn't tilt over or move at all. You just drop it on the towball and clamp it up with a big spanner supplied.

It appears to defy the rules of engineering, but next time you are over I'll put it on for you as you won't believe how rock solid it is, I didn't until I tried it.

Because the Discos tailgate is split I can even still just about open the top half of the tailgate with the bikes in place.

I’m not sure of the make as it’s not branded, and I’ve not seen one exactly the same, so I haven’t yet found it’s max weight spec. Thule and all the other big players make a version and they are popular in the states for carrying additional luggage around.

Unfortunately not.

Oh and Mollers, why on earth would I want a smart car anywhere near it?
I'd have to hide my face with a paper bag to avoid the shame.

Nasher

Well I'm guessing that it won't fit around a tow hook with a two position plate mounted in front of the tow ball?

Poly · 30 August 2010, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Well I'm guessing that it won't fit around a tow hook with a two position plate mounted in front of the tow ball?

Andy I have something similar (a thule 3 bike rack) and I'm fairly sure it would go on with a two position plate. Its remarkably solid once the bolt is tight (I carry a long socket and torque wrench in the car because it is easier than using the 12" ring spanner they supplied with it. Its so solid that when Mrs P reversed it into a fence the other day

it barely moved - but was hard enough to break the lights on the corner the hit

Nasher - on that issue, when the bikes are "off" - can you see the rack is there from the driver's seat? If not probably worth removing when not in use.... ....unless you can be sure anyone driving always has their brain switched on!

Mollers · 30 August 2010, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Sounds like you've towed one of these Smart car things behind you at some point

No, but I'm waiting for the 4x4 to be introduced. Very Smart.

Nasher · 30 August 2010, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

Nasher - on that issue, when the bikes are "off" - can you see the rack is there from the driver's seat? If not probably worth removing when not in use.... ....unless you can be sure anyone driving always has their brain switched on!

Polwart, I'm glad you find yours as solid as the one I picked up.
The rack can't be seen with no bikes on it, but it goes on and off so quickly that I'm not likely to be driving around with it on when I'm not carrying the bikes.

I'm hoping somebody recognises it and can tell me who made it, as there are no markes on it at all apart from www.bike-carriers.co.uk, which now diverts through to a roofbox website who also sell these racks and they don't sell this particular one.

Nasher.