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bike rack


fer's picture

By fer - Posted on 14 November 2009

I want a new bike rack to put on the tow bar. I want both wheels supported on something (the one i already have the bike is just supported from the frame and if stop too hard it hits the car) and if it tilts so i can still open the back of the car with the bike on the rack even better, but not a prerequisite.
I have seen the Thule ones but the cheapest is 400$. Does any one have a tip on where to get them cheaper? it doesn't have to be Thule though.
Cheers

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Rob's picture

Gripsport seem pretty good - Cupcake has a 3 bike tow bar rack of the type you're looking for.one.

Although just checking their site they don't appear to be that much cheaper Sad

mattyt's picture

a guy who got one that was 2nd hand, x demo or something direct from Thule, at a good price
I think they're in Artarmon

Morgan's picture

and it works well. A bit wobbly but a bit of gaffa tape around the bars should sort that out. $378 or so, so they ain't cheap, but it does the job.

marhleet's picture

there was a lot of bike racks at the dam this morning, no visible number plates.
it's not hard

http://www.myplates.com.au/design_a_plate/order_...

$35 - vs - 3 points $338

loki's picture

You can't beat the gripsport style rack for speed!
Takes me 30 seconds from pulling up at the car to having the bike on the rack and strapped down ready to go.
No stuffing around taking wheels off, clamping the bike into a hanging rack, lifting a dirty muddy bike up to the roof of the car (when you're exhausted and about to drop it scratching your car and bike...)

I've hit speed bumps at full speed forgetting the bike was on the back with no problems whatsoever.

There's only two negatives I've found:
1. The car won't fit in the garage with the rack on the back as the garage is too short! (However it takes 15 seconds to fit/remove the rack from the towbar.)
2. Lack of security if car is unattended. (Same problem with any external rack except perhaps some of the roof models with built in locks. Can easily be rectified by putting a wire/chain around bike and to the tow-bar or car.)

You've seen my bike rack fer - don't resist!!! You know you want one Eye-wink

Oh yeah - I have a bike rack number plate on it too Smiling

cheers
loki

fer's picture

Yes!!! it was seeing your bike rack that got me the bug going full speed to want a similar one, and the fact that i changed the car and the missus forbids the bike inside now Sad
But $400 for the bike rack is a bit too pricy for me at the moment, that is why i am looking for a cheaper version maybe a 2nd hand one... I bet the Thule without the brand name is half that price... at least i whish that Smiling

Rob's picture

The trouble is, you mostly get what you pay for, so those racks that stand the bike on it's wheels are pretty expensive.

Lots of people swear by the Q-Spear or T7 replica: http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/T7CATNN36

OK - but you say you have something like this and don't like the way the bike sways so sounds to me like it's time for a mod! Laughing out loud

Why don't you try and get some solid foam/wood/etc. and make some sort of stabilising arm that either holds the bike steady... I have a Thule rack with an arm that swings out from about the towbar level - one puts straps through the wheels and that stops the rocking... you could try that? The thing is, you don't even need the arm if the bike is very close to the car - you can just strap the wheels to the bottom of the towbar and that will hold the bike pretty much against the rack's vertical arm and stop the sway. Position your bike so the rack sits against it's bottle cage or frame protection (I have cable ties at various places that happen to do the job) or put self adhesive foam on the rack's vertical arm.

Worth a go, and prolly a lot cheaper than a new rack.

BT's picture

I got the THULE Ride On 2-Bike Rack from T7 for $214.99 AUD including shipping. It was on special, but it's worth checking the site to see if they offer similar prices again.

Scottboy's picture

Go to mac rak site , they have stabilising arms that clip onto the rack & your bike & the factory is walking distance from my work . macrak.com.au I think

fer's picture

you mean this guys? http://www.macrak.com/

Scottboy's picture

It is macrac.com.au bike rack accessories stabilising arm

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