choosing bike racks

[janieh]

Hi all

I want to get a bike rack for our van. I've been looking at the one on Just Kampers which attaches to the boot and I think it looks pretty good. However, a friend has suggested that the ones that fit to tow bars are better and less likely to damage the van. (we have a tow bar).

Does anyone have any experience of the Fiamma bike rack? http://www.justkampers.com/shop/type_25 ... -rack.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Since this one says it will definitely fit a T25 I thought it would be best.

Any advice gratefully recieved.
Jane

[Fritz]

Yes that's the one but have a good look around in the small ads, second hand ones can be picked up for a round half of what a new one costs.

But if you want a new one then go for it they work well and can be up graded to fit 3 bikes with an additional 'Quick rail' (£20 or so) from you local fiamma dealer.



Regards


Fritz,,,,,,,,,,

[Louey]

most people go with the Fiamma one - it doesn't get in the way - you can lift the tailgate up with bike on and use a short lenght of 22mm pipe to hold the tail up.

[fullsunian]

most people go with the Fiamma one - it doesn't get in the way - you can lift the tailgate up with bike on and use a short lenght of 22mm pipe to hold the tail up.

I have got a Fiamma rack too, its good but the bloody tailgate is heavy when its loaded with 3 bikes And ya I've got my bit of 22mm copper pipe on the gas strut..
IAN

[grumpyoldgit]

I spent months looking for a second hand Fiamma and had to go for a new one in the end. Shop around. I found 6 different prices on 6 different web sites. I got mine in the end from outdoorleisureshop on Ebay for £146.88 inc p&p. Interestingly they also have a web site where the same item is about £10 more!
The bike rack does make your tailgate a bit heavy. I only open it with no bikes loaded and have a length of cane to take the weight while I load and unload the water container. Otherwise I keep the tailgate shut.

[Cruz]

Get some new tailgate struts to go with your bike rack. Then it will stay open (only when bike rack is empty).

And mind your chin when you first use your tailgate with the new struts on. Oh, and tell any short people to let go when they open it

[janieh]

Thanks everyone, looks like we'll just get one of these then. Looking forward to being able to go out and about with our bikes on the bank holiday weekend!

[slobbo]

I wouldn't. I had to paint the tailgate on a van I bought with one of these on it. I have a Thule towball mouted one. It holds 3 bikes out of the box and we bought an extension to carry a 4th. Great bit of kit. Well made and works well. Just a bit heavy.
If I was buying again I would go for a Maxxraxx http://www.maxxraxx.co.uk/. They aren't as heavy as the Thule and take up less space for storage. They fold down to give you access to the rear door.

[janieh]

oh, too late! I ordered one before I read the latest post. Oh well. I'm sure it'll be fine!

[Louey]

I wouldn't. I had to paint the tailgate on a van I bought with one of these on it.

If you put a piece of rubber on the lower brackets then you shouldn't get any scratching of the paint, otherwise I can't remember where else you would get paint scratched.

I'm looking at a rack for my trans!t van - I'm possibly deciding between a maxxraxx or a thule tow bar mounted rack.

[ttcharlie]

I bit of bike inner tube between the paint and the clips stops scratching.

Make sure the paint is clean first though!

[janieh]

oh good tips! thank you.

[wee bugger]

I got a Mont Blanc? foldable one from argos for £30...hooks on, stays in place when you lift gate (without bikes), holds 3 bikes, and i can put it on my normal car too...

[jamesc76]

Got this one for sale, nowt wrong with it just dont take our bikes any more!

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56683

[callanish]

Hi
I got a Thule which fits to the tow bar and carries 3 bikes.
There is no contact with anyother part of the van and once attached is VERY secure I would not have one that rested its bits lol.

Andrew