Bike rack shennanigans.

[Chris_D]

Back at my place in Holland with 'Betty' and all set for a weekend's biking around Valkenswaard in the south of Holland and first time using the bike-rack on my recently purchased zed.
The paintwork on this thing is almost immaculate for a nearly 13 yr old car. It's possibly had a full respray at some point as it's done 100k and there are no tell-tale stone chips etc.

Subsequently, I'm a bit para about knackering it up with the bike rack. I've tried to mitigate the risk of scratching by using some of that rubber dashboard matting under each of the 4 rubber bushes on the rack and the strap clamps that hook into panel gaps have been covered in old bike innertube. Has anyone else used a bike rack like this and had any problems?

The rack is about 10kg and the bike is 8kg spread over 4 mounting points, so im not so concerned about dinging the metal, unless i crash through a pothole somewhere.
Dunno if I'm tempting fate here.

Pics

 

[soundb0y]

You will have to let us know how you get on. Ive thought a few times about getting one but always worried about scratching it all to buggery

 

[chinobeano]

Hi Chris,

I don't have that particular rack (I have a Saris Bones 2), but have been using a similar set up with my zed for the last couple of months. With old inner tubes between the hooks and rubber feet on the contact points on the boot.

I've not had any issues with it so far, I occasionally get some marks from the feet on the boot lid, but it's only ever dirt rather than damage and seems to rub off without too much effort. Definitely haven't had problems with denting the metal (my bike is definitely not 8kg).

The biggest problem I have is that I keep losing the bits of inner tube when I take the rack off! I think there must be a few hundred bits of rubber floating around the boot somewhere!

 

[Chris_D]

Will do soundboy..

And thx cb, was hoping to hear something like that. Have used it previously on Benny, the blue E36 coupe parked next to Betty but his paint, up close was shot to pieces, so i wasnt to bothered about marks etc.

Can already see some marks on bootlid from top mounts when i had them in a slightly different position but i think its only in the wax or sealant layer.
And old innertubes have a veritable plethora of uses dont they!
What kinda bike u roll with?

 

[chinobeano]

Glad it was the right answer! And yes hopefully just a mark on the wax, give it a quick polish and hopefully it'll go away again! If not...use more inner tubes!

My bike is nothing special, Raleigh Pursuit, about 4 years old now and well used! It's done me proud for the last few years but it will be needing a fair bit of work soon, its starting to make all manner of strange noises! Also looking to upgrade to something a little lighter and nippier (and with more carbon :evil: ) now I've just about finished paying for my wedding.

Your's looks like a nice ride though? What is it? Can't quite make out from the pictures!

 

[STUBOY2UK]

I use the Saris Bones 2, same as chinobeano. It works really well and I've had no issues at all with marking. You do get some funny looks driving a lowered Z4 with a bike rack on though.

 

[Chris_D]

It's a Merlin Fuse. Full carbon frame and forks. Shimano 105 groupset. Forza finishing kit. Its actually an outsourced Ridley frameset. Only additions ive made is to swap in the charge spoon seat and stick some Profile aero bars on and a couple of extra bidon holders cos i drink water like a fish when im bikin! Goes like stinkaroo!.
Great value too! I think url is merlincycles.com.
So off to give it its first taste of the hills down south. Rest of holland is flat as a proverbial pancake :roll:

 

[Chris_D]

I use the Saris Bones 2, same as chinobeano. It works really well and I've had no issues at all with marking. You do get some funny looks driving a lowered Z4 with a bike rack on though.

I just experienced that here stub. Went for a quick shakedown drive round the block with the bike loaded up. Chickypop at the lights with her brood all gawking.
The look on her face said it all 'its a right hand drive car with...gasp...a bike on it! Wtf, the english dont ride bikes do they??,'
Whodathunkit. Lol

 

[maxman]

My son has just returned from the South of France with two bikes on the back of a Toyota GT86 using this bike rack.
https://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/saris-bones-3-bike-car-rack-review.html#yK7GEwcfw7kpG5IV.97
This was his evaluation of it.

 

[Chris_D]

Great write-up maxman. Sounds like your lad took in some seminal biking locations.
Bit pricey though imo. Paid half that for mine 10 years ago. But then mine does weigh twice as much. Swings n roundabouts.
Interesting he found an 8mpg drop in fuel economy. Thats massive!
Never really calculated mine but assumed it wouldnt be that much of a drop. Only ever carried max 2 bikes tho.
In any case, going to have a crack at re-positioning mine so it's less vertical and a bit more 'aero'. Might help with fuel economy....

 

[Chris_D]

Glad it was the right answer! And yes hopefully just a mark on the wax, give it a quick polish and hopefully it'll go away again! If not...use more inner tubes!

My bike is nothing special, Raleigh Pursuit, about 4 years old now and well used! It's done me proud for the last few years but it will be needing a fair bit of work soon, its starting to make all manner of strange noises! Also looking to upgrade to something a little lighter and nippier (and with more carbon :evil: ) now I've just about finished paying for my wedding.

Your's looks like a nice ride though? What is it? Can't quite make out from the pictures!

Merlin Fuse
Taken that silly under-seat bidon holder off since this pic was taken.

 

[Chris_D]

You will have to let us know how you get on. Ive thought a few times about getting one but always worried about scratching it all to buggery

Happy to report no damage, scratches or scuffs to paintwork after a bazz up to the Hoge Veluwe in the zed today.
Hit a few potholes and sleepin policemen and worried i'd be facing indentations in the metal but nuthin, nadda.
Here's to future sojourns with the bikerack and bike attached....

 

[soundb0y]

Good to hear! Recon a full sus mtb would be just as fine? Only 11kg or so. The other problem is coming back wet and muddy!

 

[Chris_D]

Good to hear! Recon a full sus mtb would be just as fine? Only 11kg or so. The other problem is coming back wet and muddy!

Reckon u'd be ok. Just avoid bashing over potholes etc.
And mud washes off :wink: