Bicycle Racks

[ramelec]

I am a newbie and I am looking to have bicycle racks on my Lexus car.
Now there is so many brands - Buzzrack, Thule, and ...?
I am looking that can hold 3 bikes, something that is really good quality (solid), doesn't damage the car and very popular.

So which brand would all of you guys recommend me to check on?

Thanks

[Retrobyte]

First question - hitch mount, towball mount, roof racks, or straps type rack?

Second question - budget?

[ramelec]

Towball mount.
Price not concern, but more on quality, aesthetics.

[P!N20]

If price is no concern, you can't go past Thule: https://www.99bikes.com.au/car-rack-thu ... o_s=gplaau

[Retrobyte]

I'm happy with my Buzzrack platform type towball rack. Holds 2 bikes, but there are also 3 and 4 bike models. Quick and easy to attach once you've done it once and understand the process, is nice and stable, and looks good,

[Andy01]

Another vote for Thule VeloCompact. I have a 2 bike version and it is great - easy to fit to towball, easy to load, secure and has the tilt feature if you need to get into the boot (may not be an issue on a sedan).

[P!N20]

I'm happy with my Buzzrack platform type towball rack. Holds 2 bikes, but there are also 3 and 4 bike models. Quick and easy to attach once you've done it once and understand the process, is nice and stable, and looks good,

I also use and endorse Buzzrack. The only thing it lacks is a tilt function (at least, the models available in Australia do) but it's half the price of the equivalent Thule.

The Enduro racks are also worth a look as they are re-badged Buzzracks but come with ratchet straps.

[bychosis]

What sort of bikes are you carting around? Do you need the tilt function? Tilt is handy if you have a wagon or hatch so you can tilt the loaded rack out of the way to access the boot.

[jaseyjase]

Towball mount.

But is it a towball into a hitch?

If so id remove the towball and use a hitch mount rack instead.

[P!N20]

If so id remove the towball and use a hitch mount rack instead.

Most readily available racks are towball mount. As far as hitch mount there is the Gripsport rack which comes highly recommended, but beyond that I'm not sure - Yakima maybe?

There are the vertical mount racks, which I believe are hitch mount, but I wouldn't have thought they would be suited to a Lexus sedan. (If the OP's Lexus is a sedan, it wasn't stated specifically.)

[jaseyjase]

- Yakima maybe?

Yep, pretty happy with my hold up 2 + 2.

[AUbicycles]

One thing I like on my Thule rack (3 bikes) is that it can tilt and give me clear access to the boot (station wagon).

For the clamps, they have individual key locks so good for peace of mind.

[grump]

I also use and endorse Buzzrack. The only thing it lacks is a tilt function (at least, the models available in Australia do) but it's half the price of the equivalent Thule.

I bought a Buzzrack E-scorpion 2 tow-ball model a couple of weeks ago, and it has a tilt function.

There's a little latch behind the number-plate attachment that, when released, allows the numberplate assembly to tilt. Tilting the number plate pulls on a cable that engages the tilt function.

[P!N20]

I bought a Buzzrack E-scorpion 2 tow-ball model a couple of weeks ago, and it has a tilt function.

Good to know, but the Scorpion models are two bikes max, where the OP is looking to carry three.

[grump]

Good to know, but the Scorpion models are two bikes max, where the OP is looking to carry three.

The E-hornet 3 (which is a hybrid - "three regular bikes or two well-spaced e-bikes") and EAZZY-3 and EAZZY-4 all have a tilt function.

There is a limit that their geometry doesn't allow for tall vertical tailgates to be opened (presumably relevant for some vans).

IIRC, the E-hornets are not foldable, and EAZZY's weight capacity is a bit less than scorpion or hornet.

[RonK]

Happy with my BuzzRack. Well made and reasonable priced.

[caneye]

Belated comment - we drove from Sydney to Mudgee return recently with 3 bikes on the Buzzrack.
Combine value of the 3 bikes was probably more than the Ford Territory itself.
Anyway, we had to use towels and paddings around bike contact points. Very pleased. Very stable.

[Jean]

- Yakima maybe?

Yep, pretty happy with my hold up 2 + 2.

I have a Yakima hitch mount 2 bike carrier. It's done the job well, but I have two minor moans. First, it lacks a good spot to mount an auxiliary licence plate (so I go without), and second, its all burly all steel frame makes it decidedly heavy, which makes it a bit of a pain to mount and then store when not in use.

If considering ball or hitch mount, don't underestimate how much garage space these things take up when not in use.

[jaseyjase]

I have a Yakima hitch mount 2 bike carrier. It's done the job well, but I have two minor moans. First, it lacks a good spot to mount an auxiliary licence plate (so I go without), and second, its all burly all steel frame makes it decidedly heavy, which makes it a bit of a pain to mount and then store when not in use.

If considering ball or hitch mount, don't underestimate how much garage space these things take up when not in use.

yakima has its dedicated mount for your auxillary plate which also has indicators that plug in - Yakima Light Mate.

But agree it is indeed burly! specially when you add the +2 and have a 4 bike rack, its a workout to move around!

[Andy01]

- Yakima maybe?

Yep, pretty happy with my hold up 2 + 2.

If considering ball or hitch mount, don't underestimate how much garage space these things take up when not in use.

I have my Thule VeloCompact rack hanging on the garage wall next to the car on one of these;

https://www.bunnings.com.au/storease-15 ... k_p2580033

Works a treat, probably sits about 300mm from the wall at the furthest point (maybe less), which doesn't impact on garage space at all.

[Jean]

yakima has its dedicated mount for your auxillary plate which also has indicators that plug in - Yakima Light Mate.

Thanks for that. I'll look into it.

I have my Thule VeloCompact rack hanging on the garage wall next to the car on one of these;

https://www.bunnings.com.au/storease-15 ... k_p2580033

Works a treat, probably sits about 300mm from the wall at the furthest point (maybe less), which doesn't impact on garage space at all.

Yeah, I'll have to arrange a wall hang in some way, though the Yakima Two Up weighs in >20kg, so a hook from Bunnings likely won't be enough.

[Andy01]

Depending on what your bike rack looks like, you could have two of these hooks - each are rated for 18kg, and the aluminium wall-mounted panel that they attach to is rated for 150kg.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/storease-12 ... l_p2580651

This one is rated for 22kg.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/storease-20 ... k_p2580029

Cheaper hooks are apparently rated for 60kg as well.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-pv ... k_p0135528

A few options.