2 bike car bike carrier

[pixola]

It's probably been discussed before, but I'm looking for a bike rack (hitch style look the most stable and easy to use).

Problem is, it's got to fit onto a Mazda MX-5.

The idea I have is to have a 1.25" low profile hitch fitted ( since there's not a lot of weight on it, and the MX-5 is never going to tow anything ), and then get a bolt on carrier.

Any suggestions for make / manufacturer ? As usual, I am looking for 'bang for your buck'.

Thanks,

AW

[bazza]

www.gripsport.com.au ????

Tow bar carriers!
NEW MODELS!
Available now!


Going fast!


hehheeeh. they also do hitch style ones. email grip and see what he has to offer you!

[cam-o]

Grip sport (www.gripsport.com.au) will custom make them for whatever hitch you want.

[apsilon]

pixola, where have I seen that name before? aus-cartalk?

Anyway I agree with the other suggestions of Gripsport. A 1.25" hitch is fairly small so you may have trouble finding racks designed for that size whereas Grip will be able make one for you. Only other alternative that comes to mind is one of the Thule hang on models (assuming they're XC bikes) that fit over the towball so it doesn't have to be removed to take the rack on and off the car.

[pixola]

Heya Matt (?)

Long time no see.

Yeah having a bit of trouble getting a company who only think about trailer hitches for caravans and 4WDs to think about making an attachment for the MX5.

I think I'm going to fabricate a hitch up... it's going to be quite simple since I'm only putting 2 bikes on it.

[apsilon]

Good memory :)

If you have the ability to do it it would be a probably cheaper and better solution. There's not much ground clearence on a 5 so perhaps you could even come up with something that's largely removable. Perhaps there's even a market for MX-5 owning cyclists?

[cam-o]

Mate of mine has a 350Z which can't have a towbar fitted.
He uses an aftermarket set up where two tubes are bolted directly to the chassis. A bike rack then slides into those two tubes. Seems to work quite well.
Might be worth trying something similar.

It's here if you want a look: http://www.birdautomotive.com/BikeRack.htm

[pixola]

I've had a look at the underbody.. the 2 supports which hold the tie down hooks look reasonably solid and I can run a bar across those 2 points.

Given the weight loading of maybe 40kgs max (2 bikes + rack), it should hold up ok.

I'm going to fabricate this myself. When you talk to a shop about towbar fitting, they assume you want to tow a caravan and then they say "you can't do that with an MX-5.. so don't bother"/

The rack is quite a simple job after you've built the towbar :)

[99_FGT]

Don't forget you need to consider that whilst the weight the rack is holding is only 40kg, the mass can be 10 times that (and don't point out that G=9.81m/s²;) ) from the forces hitting bumps and dips. I would seriously consider going for a trunk mount styke rack in your case, since those cars have very little room under the arse to play with to start with.
Al..