Bicycle Racks

ramelec
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Bicycle Racks

Postby ramelec » Thu Aug 10, 2023 12:51 pm

I am a newbie and I am looking to have bicycle racks on my Lexus car.
Now there is so many brands - Buzzrack, Thule, and ...?
I am looking that can hold 3 bikes, something that is really good quality (solid), doesn't damage the car and very popular.

So which brand would all of you guys recommend me to check on?

Thanks

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Retrobyte
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby Retrobyte » Thu Aug 10, 2023 4:43 pm

First question - hitch mount, towball mount, roof racks, or straps type rack?

Second question - budget?

ramelec
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby ramelec » Thu Aug 10, 2023 6:46 pm

Towball mount.
Price not concern, but more on quality, aesthetics.

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P!N20
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby P!N20 » Thu Aug 10, 2023 7:35 pm

If price is no concern, you can't go past Thule: https://www.99bikes.com.au/car-rack-thu ... o_s=gplaau

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Retrobyte
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby Retrobyte » Fri Aug 11, 2023 8:54 am

I'm happy with my Buzzrack platform type towball rack. Holds 2 bikes, but there are also 3 and 4 bike models. Quick and easy to attach once you've done it once and understand the process, is nice and stable, and looks good,

Andy01
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby Andy01 » Fri Aug 11, 2023 9:30 am

Another vote for Thule VeloCompact. I have a 2 bike version and it is great - easy to fit to towball, easy to load, secure and has the tilt feature if you need to get into the boot (may not be an issue on a sedan).

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P!N20
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby P!N20 » Fri Aug 11, 2023 9:38 am

Retrobyte wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2023 8:54 am
I'm happy with my Buzzrack platform type towball rack. Holds 2 bikes, but there are also 3 and 4 bike models. Quick and easy to attach once you've done it once and understand the process, is nice and stable, and looks good,
I also use and endorse Buzzrack. The only thing it lacks is a tilt function (at least, the models available in Australia do) but it's half the price of the equivalent Thule.

The Enduro racks are also worth a look as they are re-badged Buzzracks but come with ratchet straps.

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bychosis
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby bychosis » Fri Aug 11, 2023 1:22 pm

What sort of bikes are you carting around? Do you need the tilt function? Tilt is handy if you have a wagon or hatch so you can tilt the loaded rack out of the way to access the boot.
bychosis (bahy-koh-sis): A mental disorder of delusions indicating impaired contact with a reality of no bicycles.

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jaseyjase
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby jaseyjase » Fri Aug 11, 2023 3:54 pm

ramelec wrote:
Thu Aug 10, 2023 6:46 pm
Towball mount.
But is it a towball into a hitch?

If so id remove the towball and use a hitch mount rack instead.

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P!N20
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby P!N20 » Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:13 pm

jaseyjase wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2023 3:54 pm
If so id remove the towball and use a hitch mount rack instead.

Most readily available racks are towball mount. As far as hitch mount there is the Gripsport rack which comes highly recommended, but beyond that I'm not sure - Yakima maybe?

There are the vertical mount racks, which I believe are hitch mount, but I wouldn't have thought they would be suited to a Lexus sedan. (If the OP's Lexus is a sedan, it wasn't stated specifically.)

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jaseyjase
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby jaseyjase » Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:16 pm

P!N20 wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:13 pm

- Yakima maybe?
Yep, pretty happy with my hold up 2 + 2.

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AUbicycles
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby AUbicycles » Fri Sep 01, 2023 2:52 am

One thing I like on my Thule rack (3 bikes) is that it can tilt and give me clear access to the boot (station wagon).

For the clamps, they have individual key locks so good for peace of mind.
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grump
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby grump » Sun Sep 03, 2023 12:19 am

P!N20 wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2023 9:38 am
I also use and endorse Buzzrack. The only thing it lacks is a tilt function (at least, the models available in Australia do) but it's half the price of the equivalent Thule.
I bought a Buzzrack E-scorpion 2 tow-ball model a couple of weeks ago, and it has a tilt function.

There's a little latch behind the number-plate attachment that, when released, allows the numberplate assembly to tilt. Tilting the number plate pulls on a cable that engages the tilt function.

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P!N20
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby P!N20 » Sun Sep 03, 2023 1:06 pm

grump wrote:
Sun Sep 03, 2023 12:19 am
I bought a Buzzrack E-scorpion 2 tow-ball model a couple of weeks ago, and it has a tilt function.
Good to know, but the Scorpion models are two bikes max, where the OP is looking to carry three.

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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby grump » Mon Sep 04, 2023 4:42 pm

P!N20 wrote:
Sun Sep 03, 2023 1:06 pm
Good to know, but the Scorpion models are two bikes max, where the OP is looking to carry three.
The E-hornet 3 (which is a hybrid - "three regular bikes or two well-spaced e-bikes") and EAZZY-3 and EAZZY-4 all have a tilt function.

There is a limit that their geometry doesn't allow for tall vertical tailgates to be opened (presumably relevant for some vans).

IIRC, the E-hornets are not foldable, and EAZZY's weight capacity is a bit less than scorpion or hornet.

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RonK
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby RonK » Tue Sep 05, 2023 7:22 am

Happy with my BuzzRack. Well made and reasonable priced.
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caneye
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby caneye » Thu Sep 28, 2023 12:59 pm

Belated comment - we drove from Sydney to Mudgee return recently with 3 bikes on the Buzzrack.
Combine value of the 3 bikes was probably more than the Ford Territory itself.
Anyway, we had to use towels and paddings around bike contact points. Very pleased. Very stable.

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Jean
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby Jean » Thu Oct 05, 2023 12:15 pm

jaseyjase wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:16 pm
P!N20 wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:13 pm

- Yakima maybe?
Yep, pretty happy with my hold up 2 + 2.
I have a Yakima hitch mount 2 bike carrier. It's done the job well, but I have two minor moans. First, it lacks a good spot to mount an auxiliary licence plate (so I go without), and second, its all burly all steel frame makes it decidedly heavy, which makes it a bit of a pain to mount and then store when not in use.

If considering ball or hitch mount, don't underestimate how much garage space these things take up when not in use.
Last edited by Jean on Thu Oct 05, 2023 12:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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jaseyjase
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby jaseyjase » Thu Oct 05, 2023 2:36 pm

Jean wrote:
Thu Oct 05, 2023 12:15 pm

I have a Yakima hitch mount 2 bike carrier. It's done the job well, but I have two minor moans. First, it lacks a good spot to mount an auxiliary licence plate (so I go without), and second, its all burly all steel frame makes it decidedly heavy, which makes it a bit of a pain to mount and then store when not in use.

If considering ball or hitch mount, don't underestimate how much garage space these things take up when not in use.
yakima has its dedicated mount for your auxillary plate which also has indicators that plug in - Yakima Light Mate.

But agree it is indeed burly! specially when you add the +2 and have a 4 bike rack, its a workout to move around!

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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby Andy01 » Thu Oct 05, 2023 7:23 pm

Jean wrote:
Thu Oct 05, 2023 12:15 pm
jaseyjase wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:16 pm
P!N20 wrote:
Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:13 pm

- Yakima maybe?
Yep, pretty happy with my hold up 2 + 2.

If considering ball or hitch mount, don't underestimate how much garage space these things take up when not in use.
I have my Thule VeloCompact rack hanging on the garage wall next to the car on one of these;

https://www.bunnings.com.au/storease-15 ... k_p2580033

Works a treat, probably sits about 300mm from the wall at the furthest point (maybe less), which doesn't impact on garage space at all.

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Jean
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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby Jean » Fri Oct 06, 2023 9:55 am

jaseyjase wrote:
Thu Oct 05, 2023 2:36 pm

yakima has its dedicated mount for your auxillary plate which also has indicators that plug in - Yakima Light Mate.
Thanks for that. I'll look into it.
Andy01 wrote:
Thu Oct 05, 2023 7:23 pm
I have my Thule VeloCompact rack hanging on the garage wall next to the car on one of these;

https://www.bunnings.com.au/storease-15 ... k_p2580033

Works a treat, probably sits about 300mm from the wall at the furthest point (maybe less), which doesn't impact on garage space at all.
Yeah, I'll have to arrange a wall hang in some way, though the Yakima Two Up weighs in >20kg, so a hook from Bunnings likely won't be enough. :?

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Re: Bicycle Racks

Postby Andy01 » Fri Oct 06, 2023 7:07 pm

Depending on what your bike rack looks like, you could have two of these hooks - each are rated for 18kg, and the aluminium wall-mounted panel that they attach to is rated for 150kg.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/storease-12 ... l_p2580651

This one is rated for 22kg.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/storease-20 ... k_p2580029

Cheaper hooks are apparently rated for 60kg as well.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-pv ... k_p0135528

A few options.

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