Bike rack suggestions?

M-J

M-J

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Thinking of fitting a bike rack for two mountain bikes, any suggestions on which would be best please, main priority would be how secure I could lock the bikes to it when not being used.

Also suggestions on reliable, non rip off places to have it fitted. Based in Peterborough but can go a small radius if they can fit on a Saturday morning.
 
Fiamma one for me, easy fitting of bikes on and off the rack. If you get your locks right you can also secure the bikes to the rack and then secure the rack to chassis via cable lock if needed.
 
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if its on a normal coach biult motorhome you wont go far wrong with either a Fiamma or Thule bike rack.
 
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As you know I used to have the same van as you. I wanted a rack as well. 2 different people scratched their heads and declined to fit one due to uncertainty of fixing points. Luckily we had a tow bar so we coped with a tow bar mounted one.
 
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M-J said:
main priority would be how secure I could lock the bikes to it when not being used.
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If you look at the fixing method for most rear wall mounted racks, it wouldn't take long for a determined tea-leaf to remove it as one unit and run off with the bikes still locked to the bike rack.

I would be considering how I would secure the bikes to the motorhome.

Lastly, one word - payload.... (y)
 
when my bike is mounted on the rack on the motorhome its both securely locked to the rack frame and covered with a neat fitting bike cover ( out of site ETc etc ).

when on site or at an overnight stop the bike is secured to the chassis and has the STRIKEBACK alarm loop fitted over the bike cover and through the bike frame whether it remains on the rack or not.
that way to get at the locks the scroat has to breach the cover and the Alarm before the locks.

nothing is completely secure, even put it inside the van a if they want it that bad its gone, just more damage.
 
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cornish boy said:
If you look at the fixing method for most rear wall mounted racks, it wouldn't take long for a determined tea-leaf to remove it as one unit and run off with the bikes still locked to the bike rack.

I would be considering how I would secure the bikes to the motorhome.

Lastly, one word - payload.... (y)
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Think there would have to be two of them because a rack with two bikes would be pushing 50 kg and very very awkward to carry and I don't think they would be running.On mine it would be difficult to access the fixing points with the cover and bikes fitted.BUSBY.
 
I really wouldn’t rely on a cable lock for any security, they are very easy to cut the rough in under 5 seconds
 
busby said:
Think there would have to be two of them because a rack with two bikes would be pushing 50 kg and very very awkward to carry and I don't think they would be running.On mine it would be difficult to access the fixing points with the cover and bikes fitted.BUSBY.
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Not sure I agree, my mountain bike comes in just under 13kgs, so two bikes 26Kg plus the Carry-Bike Pro at just over 8kgs comes to 36kg. Not a huge amount for the average person to carry, especially as it is already at a nice height to start with.

A determined tea-leaf isn't interested accessing the fixing points, just how they work. Two minutes with one of THESE to cut the lower legs, lift the rack off the top brackets, and before you know it, you are left with nothing but a crime number. :giggle:
 
Nothing will stop a determined thief, all you can do is make your bike and locks look less attractive to them so they move on to the next one. And (if the bikes are worth it) have insurance just in case.

Locking the bikes to the rack with appropriate locks (depending on the bike's value) is sufficient - when I asked our insurance company they are happy so long as the bike is locked to a carrier fitted to the vehicle (its also in the policy wording). So I'd guess if they aren't too worried about the thieves removing the entire bike rack to get to the bikes, then whilst possible in theory, the probability of it happening is probably pretty slim.

We use a lightweight cable lock all the time - it won't stop a equipped thief, but is fine for opportunists and is light enough to leave on whilst travelling. When parked up and unattended we use two Sold Secure Gold rated LiteLocks joined together to attach the bikes to the rack.

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I just need the option to lock bikes to the rack to stop them being taken easily. Whether or not a determined thief can still cut the locks or remove the whole rack and nip off down the road with them is irrelevant as they are insured.
 
M-J said:
I just need the option to lock bikes to the rack to stop them being taken easily. Whether or not a determined thief can still cut the locks or remove the whole rack and nip off down the road with them is irrelevant as they are insured.
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You might find that your insurance company take a keen interest in how your bikes were secured, including the locks used and how it is secured to the vehicle - bolted to a aluminium rack with a cafe lock might prove insufficient for their needs.
 
cornish boy said:
Not sure I agree, my mountain bike comes in just under 13kgs, so two bikes 26Kg plus the Carry-Bike Pro at just over 8kgs comes to 36kg. Not a huge amount for the average person to carry, especially as it is already at a nice height to start with.

A determined tea-leaf isn't interested accessing the fixing points, just how they work. Two minutes with one of THESE to cut the lower legs, lift the rack off the top brackets, and before you know it, you are left with nothing but a crime number. :giggle:
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Would think I have more chance of winning g the lottery than having my rack and cycles stolen..BUSBY.
 
I just use an old scrappy bike sprayed with odments from old tins. If you have expensive ones just think of it as a few hundred quid left exposed on the back of the van while you're out.
 
The Wino said:
I just use an old scrappy bike sprayed with odments from old tins. If you have expensive ones just think of it as a few hundred quid left exposed on the back of the van while you're out.
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I won’t be buying an old tatty bike just to stop people stealing it.

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i use a proper bike security chain that is covered in a cordura sleeve to stop it marking the bike. that does not stop anyone cutting the bike rack. but your security has its limits no matter what you do.

the chain i use is "like" this one
1581007754477.png
 
Towball-mounted bike racks are usually lockable; then put a secure chain through the frames and rack.
 
M-J said:
I won’t be buying an old tatty bike just to stop people stealing it.
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Then they will still be a target to be nicked!. I think the most secure would be locks to the rack and a loop attached to your alarm if you have one. Our friends choose a chausson 610 for just that reason they have expensive bikes and didn't fancy having them on display.

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M-J said:
I just need the option to lock bikes to the rack to stop them being taken easily. Whether or not a determined thief can still cut the locks or remove the whole rack and nip off down the road with them is irrelevant as they are insured.
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You could try one of these, although maintenance is a bit expensive
 

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The Wino said:
Then they will still be a target to be nicked!. I think the most secure would be locks to the rack and a loop attached to your alarm if you have one. Our friends choose a chausson 610 for just that reason they have expensive bikes and didn't fancy having them on display.
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Had mine on show on the van now for years,,obviously not attractive enough for thieves..BUSBY..8
 
cornish boy said:
Not sure I agree, my mountain bike comes in just under 13kgs, so two bikes 26Kg plus the Carry-Bike Pro at just over 8kgs comes to 36kg. Not a huge amount for the average person to carry, especially as it is already at a nice height to start with.

A determined tea-leaf isn't interested accessing the fixing points, just how they work. Two minutes with one of THESE to cut the lower legs, lift the rack off the top brackets, and before you know it, you are left with nothing but a crime number. :giggle:
Click to expand...
But only 20 seconds with a cordless angle grinder
 

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