XSeries-forum

Can anyone recommend or advise to avoid a hang on back type bike rack?

I got one from micksgarage.com - it was easy to identify from their site as to which was the correct one but I called to check and they were really friendly/helpful. I got it then couldn't quite follow the instructions (just me being dim) and they talked me through it - they also have videos to show you how to assemble/attach

IT was around £60 (last year) and held two bikes no problem at all

I don't know then and I'm not connected to them commercially or otherwise just to be clear

[quote="dark_stranger"]
Can anyone recommend or advise to avoid a hang on back type bike rack?
[/quote]

avoid (if i got ur question right)

hanging staps put downward load on the spoiler and that's a piece of plastic , cannot open without removing the bikes, potential for damaging the paintwork and/or the bikes.

tow bar and a tow-bar mounted bike rack - my kind of solution.

I think BMW did a hang on bike rack that fixed to the roof rails which are supposed to be very good !
I have the hydraulic bike lifts that fit onto the roof bars which makes it easy to get the bikes onto the roof .

The one I mentioned from mickgarages can be opened without removing the bikes (although with two or more bikes there is a lot of weight on the tailgate as it comes up and its best to hand someone holding it (or go in through the side door for whatever you forgot you need!! 6 P's spring to mind .....  ))

They come with large rubber blocks to protect the paintwork, but I got some of the foam they use to lag pipes and put around scaffolding to give added protection or protruding metal parts such as pedals (better still remove the pedals). If you only have one bike on it then you put it rearmost and it is nowhere near the paintwork (as there is room for another bike between it and the car)

Ultimately it is your choice - but to the point of damage you have as much risk damaging your paintwork hanging something off the back as you do with same roof bars and scratching the paint as you life the bike up and down.
And of course budget comes into it to. For example a two bar solution requires a tow bar - and if you don't have one already (and particularly if you don't plan to use it/the bike rack a lot) then it is a lot of extra cash over the £60 rack

Horses for courses really.

Cheers Guys & Girls, need the towbar to pull the trailer/motocross bike.  Dont want roof mounted as have to avoid low barriers, etc.

Was looking at the one on Mikes Garage and looks very similar to the multi fit one I have stored in the shed for an old car.  Might see if I can fit that on the X5.

Have you considered a flange mount type? Witter is one company who make these. The mount is fitted between the tow bar and the bolt on ball so that you can still tow a trailer with the bikes on the rack.

The rack is fitted to and removed quickly from the mounting bracket. I would have preferred this type but as the car came with a swan neck tow ball I had to go for the ball mounted type.

[quote="scratchpole"]
Have you considered a flange mount type? Witter is one company who make these. The mount is fitted between the tow bar and the bolt on ball so that you can still tow a trailer with the bikes on the rack.

The rack is fitted to and removed quickly from the mounting bracket. I would have preferred this type but as the car came with a swan neck tow ball I had to go for the ball mounted type.
[/quote]

My towbar is also a swanneck  also.  There are some systems that can hook onto swanneck towbars, but dont have much faith in them.