car transporting an e-bike

[dmcgoldrick]

hi,anyone any experience of transporting their e-bike by car.?
is a normal bike carrier suitable ?

have a saab 9.3 and a wisper 705 se.

any suggestions ?

dont like the roof rack option...dont think i could get the bike up on a roof rack !!!!!

regards

 

[Cyclezee]

hi,anyone any experience of transporting their e-bike by car.?
is a normal bike carrier suitable ?

have a saab 9.3 and a wisper 705 se.

any suggestions ?

dont like the roof rack option...dont think i could get the bike up on a roof rack !!!!!

regards

Hi,

Towbar mounted racks are the best choice for bike racks, just make sure it has weight carrying capacity greater than the bike. I have Thule which will carry up to 3 standard bike or 2 e-bikes, they also make one specifically for e-bikes, but it is not cheap at around £250 Thule EuroPower 916 - Thule - Thule Bike Racks - Rack Bike Towbar

J hn

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Rack

I agree John, the best are the tow ball variety where the bike wheels sit in a channel to take the weight of the bike.

I dont have a tow bar so use conventional rear mounted rack that uses the cross bar to support the bike. The obvious difficulty is the 705 does not have a cross bar. I had to buy a bar that attaches to the seat post and stem. It works but not brilliantly and it is tricky to lift the bike onto the clamps.

All the best

David

 

[dmcgoldrick]

many thanks for the info. will look up a Thule dealer and go have a look to make sure it can hold the 705 (no crossbar style).

regards

 

[trickletreat]

I have a Pendle, behind the ball,[twin bolt towball] bike rack. Great as it still allows you to tow with the bikes clear of the a frame/jockey wheel.

They now sell a new version with channels, max load 30kg. I may change to this as I would prefer to support bike under wheels.

2 Bike Wheel Support Rack for use whilst towing Caravans and Trailers

If you don't tow as well then this one is better...

Wheel Support Behind the Ball Heavy Duty 2 Bike Rack

They are a british company and very approachable.
Nigel

 

[eddieo]

Hi,

Towbar mounted racks are the best choice for bike racks, just make sure it has weight carrying capacity greater than the bike. I have Thule which will carry up to 3 standard bike or 2 e-bikes, they also make one specifically for e-bikes, but it is not cheap at around £250 Thule EuroPower 916 - Thule - Thule Bike Racks - Rack Bike Towbar

J hn

I was thinking of the Altera? But this looks a better job...Well done John for bringing it to our attention. Thule have a bewildering number of racks, and a lot dont have enough payload for a couple of e bikes this certainly does.

 

[allen-uk]

This worried me for a bit, until I tried getting my 905se into my smallish car, without the bike's front wheel. All depends whether your Saab is a hatchback or a standard boot saloon; if a hatchback design, folding the seats and generally being careful, you might do it.

I've got a Nissan Tino, which is a smallish 'people carrier' (aren't all cars people carriers?). Anyway, without the front wheel, and with the headset dropped down to its lowest and 'rolled' back to get the controls as tucked in as poss, it went into the back of the Tino without much bother.

The tow-bar option gets pricey, if it has to involved getting a tow-bar fitted, too!

Allen.

 

[flecc]

aren't all cars people carriers?

Abbreviation of extra-people carrier I suppose, the abbreviation of terms used in the vehicle world has been a constant:

Latin word Carrus = Wheeled Vehicle, origin of Carriage, so with engine becomes Motor Carriage, then changes to Motor Car and finally becomes Car.
.

 

[eddieo]

I can get one of our bikes in the back of our ford focus hatchback. but for days out I need a rack for 2 bikes. I will also need a rack on new smaller motorhome.

So yes expensive, and probably unnecessary for transporting one bike. but also a lot more secure, as I can use a good lock through towbar frame to secure bikes.

 

[allen-uk]

eddie: get a big motor home, stick 'em inside.

flecc: yes, but even the Romans would have thought that populus carrus was tortology...


A

 

[flecc]

flecc: yes, but even the Romans would have thought that populus carrus was tortology...

Indeed, but they kept the carrus for person rather than people so avoided the problem.

The mass of the "populus" including the "miles militis" had to walk.
.

 

[Cyclezee]

I have the previous version of this Towequipe - UK's best value towbar store - THULE 9503 3 Bike Cycle Towbar Tilt Rack Free P&P 9403

Which I think was under £90 including delivery at the time. It has a carrying capacity 45Kg, enough for 2 electric bikes if the batteries are removed.

With one person loading, it is a bit of an art and the Thule e-bike specific model would be much easier,YouTube - Thule EuroPower 916 Cycle Carrier - Assembly but a lot more expensive. Also, the channels to support the wheels are a bit short for bikes with an inframe battery due to their extra length, having said that I have always managed.

The only bike I had a real problem with was a Gepida as the motor was touching the frame of the carrier before the wheels were in their channels. I did manage to overcome this by leaning it at an angle and double strapping it.

J hn

 

[dmcgoldrick]

I can get one of our bikes in the back of our ford focus hatchback. but for days out I need a rack for 2 bikes. I will also need a rack on new smaller motorhome.

So yes expensive, and probably unnecessary for transporting one bike. but also a lot more secure, as I can use a good lock through towbar frame to secure bikes.

hi eddieo, any chance you could put up a pic of bike going into your car next time you are doing that. my car is not hatchback, just boot but the back seats drop forward so there is a good size space available. do you remove front wheel/twist handlebars/remove pedals ?
do you put rear end in first or front ? wisper 705se is bike in question....do you still have one of these ?
fitting towbar and rack outlay is substantial for the few times i need to tranport...

regards

 

[eddieo]

hi eddieo, any chance you could put up a pic of bike going into your car next time you are doing that. my car is not hatchback, just boot but the back seats drop forward so there is a good size space available. do you remove front wheel/twist handlebars/remove pedals ?
do you put rear end in first or front ? wisper 705se is bike in question....do you still have one of these ?
fitting towbar and rack outlay is substantial for the few times i need to tranport...

regards

No I remove nothing, front wheel in and up at an angle. With the width of the handlebars etc.. and the angle it is still not that easy, there is no way I could imagine it fitting in a car that was not a hatchback?

Just try it, you may have a wait for a pic as bikes back from service/repair

Allen, I have a big motorhome with a large garage that will take 4-6 bikes. but selling it as I want a smaller van, hence the interest in the Thule rack for both car and camper.....

 

[Mike63]

will look up a Thule dealer and go have a look to make sure it can hold the 705 (no crossbar style).

In Halfords you can buy an imitation crossbar....fits between the saddle and handlebar stem.
....about £15 I think....no doubt find it cheaper on line.