Bike rack recommendations

Hi guys/gals,

I need a recommendation for a bike rack for my E-320. I have a nice Thule roof rack, but I don't want to use it because of the wind noise and aesthetics. I bought one from Performance that strapped onto the trunk, but removed it two miles into its first use because the straps were slapping against the paint and making me CRAZY! (Returned the next day.)

I'm thinking of getting one that can be attached to one of those square towing rigs that go under the rear bumper. I saw one by Road-Gear the other day that looked nice-- plus the entire apparatus (asside from the hitch under the bumper) can be easily removed when not in use.

Any recommendations? I have both a mountain and a road/racing bike.

Thanks!!

[JCE]

This looks interesting, attaches behind the license plate! But I don't know about the strap that attaches to the deck lid - maybe it does the same thing as the other one you tried? http://www.************************/product_page.asp?attFlag=1&appFlag=0&productname=Performance+Bike+and+Ski+Rack&productfamily=&subcat=&category=&make=MERCEDES%2DBENZ&model=E320&submodel=+&series=210&year=1997&vehicletype=CAR&keyword=&vendorid=&search=keyword

Thanks John,

That looks like a great rack! Doesn't touch any of the paint and would require minimal hardware. I suppose you'd have to either remove the front wheel or bind it so it doesn't hit the back of the car, which wouldn't be difficult to do.

[engatwork]

When I owned a E320 I would just remove the front/rear tires from the Bianchi and was able to turn the front on such a way as to lay it down flat in the trunk floor. If you look real close you can see a very slight dark stain on the panel behind the fuel tank in the trunk. That is where the derailleur touched the panel.

The W124 trunk space is a little better than the W123's for doing this.

That should work, Jim, thanks. I was looking for something that could hold two bikes though.


What I've been doing up until now is removing the front tire and sliding the bike into the back seat after laying a large towel down. It fits fine without rubbing any of the interior.

[Jim Anderson]

I had a reciever style hitch mounted to my 190e for a small trailer that would work for a hitch style bike carier. They did a nice job, all you see is a square hole through the cladding under the back bumper.

I have a strap slappy style carrier. I tyed a knot in the end of the straps and used a bungee cord to hold it.

[BENZ-LGB]

...bike carrier works great. I have one that I use in the Yukon and it can be configured to carry from 1 to 4 bikes. It is fairly sturdy and very secure. When the bikes are off the carrier, the carrier can be hinged out of the way so that the rear barn doorts can be opened without removing the carrier.

I've been considering putting a trailer hitch in my 420SEL so that I can use the carrier there as well. Right now I do as you do, I remove the front wheel of my mountain bike and slide the bike in. There is plenty of bike-leg-room in the back, but I still worry about messing up the leather or the carpeting.

You may have posted this already, but what kind of bikes do you own?

Good luck in your search.

[Lebenz]

We have 3 bike carriers. We use the receiver mounted Yakima the most. It does the best job. For short trips, we have a Thule that mounts by way of straps on the trunk. No damage in 3 cars and about 4 years of occasional use. I don’t remember what the other one is, a Rhoad Gear, I think. It is in the attic. Crappy by design. The 2 we use both have integral shock systems, Definitely get one with this feature. The bikes don’t bounce around nearly as much.

[Jay]

sflori, if you have "good"$$$$ bikes, I would not put them on the back of the car where someone could hit them. Just my 2cents.

Originally posted by BENZ-LGB
[BYou may have posted this already, but what kind of bikes do you own?[/B]

My mountain bike is the Trek that was available as part of the "Trek" package on the Volkswagen Jetta a few years back. It's an okay bike, aluminum frame and all. They made sure to include the VW labels as part of the paint, not a sticker, so I couldn't peal it off!

My road bike is really my pride and joy. My dad bought it for me after I was hit by a car on my Raleigh Grand Sports just prior to my senior year of high school killing the bike and breaking both my leg and ankle. (Hit and run, bastard never caught.)

It's a Basso Gap imported from Italy. I'm not sure if Bassos are still available in the States, but mine is one of the first to come over. Columbus SL tubing throughout with Campagnolo Super Record Gruppo. What's nice is that most of the components (chainrings, break calipers, seat and handlebar tubes are all engraved with the Basso name and custom painted. A really beautiful bike. Weight?? 19.5 pounds!! That's on a bike that is now twenty years old!! Barring breakage, I'll never change a component and will absulutely never put a Japanese part on this true Italian piece of art. (Acutally, the pedals are no longer original as clipless were'nt invented back then.)

Thanks for the advise and for asking about my other rides!

Originally posted by Jay
sflori, if you have "good"$$$$ bikes, I would not put them on the back of the car where someone could hit them. Just my 2cents.

You're right. I've had queasy feelings about using a trunk mount and then having one of the bikes ruined in an accident. The Trek's worth about $275 or so, but the Basso was $1300 in 1982. I don't know if it's still worth that today, but the sentimental value is priceless (read my previous post).

I think what I'll do is attatch the Thule to the 300-D, assuming I don't sell that car after the 190 16-v. Heck, it may give the old diesel that "sporty" look the girls die for!!

[BENZ-LGB]

Sflori:

As you can see by my signature I too own an Italian road bike. My Bottecchia is all handmade, with Columbus steel. The lugwork is beautiful to look at.

"I'll never change a component and will absulutely never put a Japanese part on this true Italian piece of art. (Acutally, the pedals are no longer original as clipless were'nt invented back then.) "

Mine is (mostly) all Campy Super Record. I did make a few changes, however. At the time that I got my bike (it was a present from my mom back in 1989...she knows how much I love bikes and she also knows how cheap I am when it comes to buying stuff for myself) Dura-Ace made the best index-shifting rear derailleur. The Campy index shifter was not very good, so I put in a Dura-Ace rear derailleur and Dura-Ace downtube shifters. I also replaced the wheels with Mavic rims and Mavic hubs, again, the Campy hubs back then were not as good as the Mavic as far as sealing out water and dirt. And, like you, I changed the pedal to Look (red) Carbon clipless pedals, to match the bike's red and white color scheme. Other than that, the bike is all Italian, including the beautiful white leather saddle.

The bike is real "pretty." I enjoy looking at it as much as I enjoy riding it. My Cannondale is my workhorse, but the Bottecchia is my pampered steed.

Italians have a wonderful flair for design and styling: great looking cars, great fititng suits, wonderful shoes, gorgeous women. If there was such thing as reincarnation (no, I do not wiash to start a debate here) I'd like to come back as an Italian, that way I could ride my bike in the Dolomites, eat pasta and drink wine in Naples, sing opera in Venice, pinch beautiful women around the fountains of Rome, and beat up any one who got in my way in Sicilia.

Ciao!

[Jay]

I may be the only road rider that still uses clip peddels.

[JCE]

My wife still uses toe clips on her bike I switched to Speedplay pedals, and haven't had a bit of knee problem since the change. I miss my low rolling resistance Campy nuovo record wheels, nuovo record group ItalVega from the 60s, but I don't miss the pedal cages at all!

Index shifting? 18 gears? brake lever shifters? And miss all the fun of dropping off the bars to fuss with a gear lever while pursuing a breakaway up a steep hill? No Way! I would just as soon see the nails pull out of my cleats or the strap on my Kucharik leather helmet break first! :p

[drbrandini]

Stefano,

Have you considered getting a thule fairing to cut down on the wind noise?

Sorry to hear that you were a victim of a hit-and-run. Its one thing to make a mistake...It's also another to flee like a coward and not own-up to your mistakes... Glad your still with us......