Tow bar bike carrier.

Bad Mechanic said:
I don't know what their availability is in Europe, but I'm the States the go-to rack is 1UP. All metal construction, all parts available separately, they only touch the tires if the bikes, expandable up to 4 bikes, and loads of available options. After owning one, I would never use anything else.
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US/Europe tow hitches are very different unfortunately, as you guys stateside get some proper good solutions for racks that we simply can't due to the design of hitch
 
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I have recently bought a Buzzrack & am impressed :-

Good value.
Well built/designed, well finished & solid.
Very secure on the towball.
Takes large tyres.
Takes long wheelbase of an XL bike.
Folds up neatly for storage.
Not too heavy.
Can fit an add-on extra (lighter/shorter) bike carrier.

Would prefer the ratchet strap frame clamps of the newer Thule carriers, but can't have everything & I can always upgrade them.
 
I have a Thule two bike carrier, it will carry 45kg so just gets two ebikes on it. But it's a pain to get the bikes on as the wheel cups are sloped (like most bike racks) and the bike tries to roll of one way or another while you're attaching the fixing straps or, especially when feeding the top clamp through or attaching it to the frame. I haven't worked out the best way to load the bikes yet but can't help thinking it would be much easier if the wheel cups were horizontal or at least has an adjustable outer stop 🤬

I do, however have this rack which is brilliant and thankfully that's mostly how I travel.
IMG_5948.webp
 
Bad Mechanic said:
How are the hitches different?
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I don't think the issue is so much the design (ball on swan neck) but the homologation of the racks themselves in EU+UK, there is just one legal design that fits all the necessary requirements (working lights, fully visible licence plate and some crash testing).

So 1UP style US racks, even if you have 2" hitch (which some trucks like Ranger do even in Europe), you can't legally use it and being caught with it ranges from few hundreds (Central Europe), to 5000 pounds (UK) to loss of insurance (majority of EU) when in any accident, even when not at fault.
 
I use Thule Epos, I've had every single Thule that exists in past 20 years (XT, EasyFold,...) Epos is one that sucks the least, but still sucks but sadly nothing can be done about that in Europe. I almost bought pick-up truck just so I could chuck bikes on it.
I can mount 2 e-bikes and 20" son's mtb under 3 minutes onto Epos. It definitely took me 20 minutes with EasyFold even with after-market arms.

The cheaper Outpace has sadly just 50kg capacity, not great for 3 bikes although I presume that value is on the safer side.

I am super jealous of people with VW Transporters who can leave their bike-racks on tailgate all year round. Taking of 30KG EPOS is absolute pain.
 
High Rock Ruti said:
High Rock Ruti

Tow weight and tongue weight are different, tongue weight is always lower usually around 100 to 250 usa pounds

Warm Regards Ruti
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Thanks. Never heard it called “nose Weight “ before. Lost in translation I guess.

I usually give the hitch my “bouncey-castle” test.

Holds 2 EMTB’s….and towing is 3500lbs😉
 
Bad Mechanic said:
I don't know what their availability is in Europe, but I'm the States the go-to rack is 1UP. All metal construction, all parts available separately, they only touch the tires if the bikes, expandable up to 4 bikes, and loads of available options. After owning one, I would never use anything else.
Click to expand...
Agree 100% with this. An aircraft quality rack that is rust and corrosion proof, and fully modular from 1 to 4 bikes. I often go myself and in the 1 bike configuration it's so small you can leave it on permanently, doesn't interfere with backup cameras, liftgates, license plate, etc. It's trivial to add one or two extenders to carry more bikes, or you can buy an inexpensive adapter that makes the extender a stand-alone unit so you can carry one bike each on two cars and so on.

EDIT: replied before reading subsequent posts about EU regulations. There are license plate holders that make it easy to move the plate between car and rack, it comes with reflectors and doesn't block turn signals or brake lights, but not sure how compliant it would be otherwise.

1up-rack-8.webp
 
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Best rack I have ever used. Holds the bike well, not to heavy, rotates down for easy trunk access and it has enough space for all my riding Bros too! (Pic edited to clean up back ground debris).

1000037238.webp


1000037235.webp
 
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One up, only rack I'll use now.
Securely holds bikes, only touches tires, can handle ebike weight np.
Folds and tilts so suv back doors work...
A little pricey but about the best.
 
Another vote for Buzz rack (that supports ebikes).
My local towbar fitter put me off Thule ebike models because he said if I was you source a new Thule back rack from the internet and there were any issues Thule don't support the consumer directly, that it has to be via a local shop directly and they tell everyone to get stuff if its been bought of the internet. Not sure how true that it but I didn't give him any business.
 
I suppose if I was needing a bike rack on a regular basis I could use an easier, or larger rack than the Thule Easy Fold.

The Thule Easy Fold takes more time to setup …but it does fold up nicely and can fit in the boot/trunk. A typical rack needs more space for storage when not needed. I’ve installed a few “fake 2” receivers” in some bike caves/ garages. However you need the wall space or a suitable area for that.

I roll the Thule Easy Fold under my bench…out of sight …and ready to use 4x a year.
 
My old Thule rack leaves to little room between the bikes to actually put 3 bikes on the 3 bike rack. Derailleurs hit the fork on the next bike etc.

Which of the Buzz racks is spacious enough for modern trail and dh bikes?

Does this work?
bikable.no

BuzzRack BUZZRACER-4 SYKKELHENGER TIL 4 SYKLER

Sykkelhenger som har plass til 4 sykler og med lav vekt er den enkel å montere. Sykkelhenger er montert på bilens hengerfeste. Passer de fleste sykler,
bikable.no bikable.no
 
ENES said:
I have recently bought a Buzzrack & am impressed :-

Good value.
Well built/designed, well finished & solid.
Very secure on the towball.
Takes large tyres.
Takes long wheelbase of an XL bike.
Folds up neatly for storage.
Not too heavy.
Can fit an add-on extra (lighter/shorter) bike carrier.

Would prefer the ratchet strap frame clamps of the newer Thule carriers, but can't have everything & I can always upgrade them.
Click to expand...
Ahh thanks for this which model did you go for? Looks like buzz rack is the way forward. I’ve always had Thule roof bike carriers and they work great . I messaged Thule regarding the easy fold xt and they recommended the epos version at like £1k🤣
 
George_KSL said:
I use Thule Epos, I've had every single Thule that exists in past 20 years (XT, EasyFold,...) Epos is one that sucks the least, but still sucks but sadly nothing can be done about that in Europe. I almost bought pick-up truck just so I could chuck bikes on it.
I can mount 2 e-bikes and 20" son's mtb under 3 minutes onto Epos. It definitely took me 20 minutes with EasyFold even with after-market arms.

The cheaper Outpace has sadly just 50kg capacity, not great for 3 bikes although I presume that value is on the safer side.

I am super jealous of people with VW Transporters who can leave their bike-racks on tailgate all year round. Taking of 30KG EPOS is absolute pain.
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Or just buy a van and stick them in the back. I didn’t realise getting a e-bike would be such a pain transporting the bloody thing. I’ve been using my old analogue bike as I just throw it on the roof recently lol
 
Damo152003 said:
Ahh thanks for this which model did you go for? Looks like buzz rack is the way forward. I’ve always had Thule roof bike carriers and they work great . I messaged Thule regarding the easy fold xt and they recommended the epos version at like £1k🤣
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E Scorpion 2 XL is what I have IIRC

Looks like it's been renamed the Pro now and finished a bit differently
 
CabbageBoy said:
Used a Buzzrack e-Scorpion 2 for a few years now and it's a really solid rack. Couldn't see why a Thule equivilant would be worth 3/4x the price
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Damo152003 said:
Does this fold up nice and easy?
Click to expand...

Yes, it does, using mine this afternoon to take two Trek Rails to the ebike Motor Centre in Fordingbridge for motor service.

Just got it out with winter mud on it!

20260416_111636.webp
 
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Had Thule before, now rocking Yakima (emtb foldable model) highly recommend it.
 
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Damo152003 said:
Does this fold up nice and easy?
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Yes takes seconds to fold up and has wheels so you can push it along if you have a nice paved driveway/garden. Also the number plate can be stored on the side of the rack when folded to allow easier storage. A van is definitely the end goal for transporting an ebike in the UK.

Road grime and salt is a plague as well as prying eyes seeing the £££££ hanging off the back of the car. I've heard stories of organised thieves following people back from trail centers.
 
irie said:
Yes, it does, using mine this afternoon to take two Trek Rails to the ebike Motor Centre in Fordingbridge for motor service.

Just got it out with winter mud on it!

View attachment 182023
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I’ve just been looking it states it requires 65mm between the towbar and bumper how much room do you have on your car? Mine is 55mm between the ball and the bumper could you look please . Thanks
 
Damo152003 said:
I’ve just been looking it states it requires 65mm between the towbar and bumper how much room do you have on your car? Mine is 55mm between the ball and the bumper could you look please . Thanks
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Infact I’m ok it’s 65mm from the centre . Phew!
 
Damo152003 said:
Or just buy a van and stick them in the back.
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Oh Great…then I’d need a bigger garage … I gotta think about this🤔.

Damo152003 said:
I’ve just been looking it states it requires 65mm between the towbar and bumper how much room do you have on your car? Mine is 55mm between the ball and the bumper could you look please . Thanks
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Not sure if this helps but the 2” hitch to bumper clearance is 5cm on a RAV4 Toyota. The ground to hitch clearance is 24.5 cm.

IMG_1247.webpIMG_1246.webp
I wonder if a hitch extension is available? Our hatch easily opens when the rack is tilted.
 
Damo152003 said:
Ahh thanks for this which model did you go for? Looks like buzz rack is the way forward. I’ve always had Thule roof bike carriers and they work great . I messaged Thule regarding the easy fold xt and they recommended the epos version at like £1k🤣
Click to expand...
I got the Buzz Rack E-Scorpion 1 & also the extra bike kit.
So I can use the lighter 1 bike set-up most of the time & easily add the extra bike kit if my son is coming along with his analogue bike.
The E-Scorpion has 2 wheel straps on the front wheel, so really secure as it totally stops the forks rotating.
I've used it a few times now & very impressed with how light (compared to other racks) it is & how well it folds making it easy to store & fit on the tow bar - really is very solid when fitted / loaded.

I'd rather put the £1k towards a new bike than spend it on a rack!
 
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