eMTB Transporting by car

[MajorStare]

Getting an eMTB this weekend. Current Thule roof carrier will not carry an eMTB due to weight and frame thickness.

The bike is a Cube Stereo Hybrid, 24.5kg. Removing the battery will loose approx. 3kg.

Company car, so cannot fit a tow bar and unable to put in the boot with seats down. So that leaves roof or rear hatch fitting.

What would you recommend, I'm struggling to find a solution for roof or rear hatch mounting.

[Crippo]

Thule Outway. But the proviso is that I would carry only 1 EBIKE on it. So not much use for you and mate.
Can the bike go across back seat with wheels removed?

[vwsurfbum]

I changed to one of these racks and take the battery out. the upride doesnt go round the frame and is a bit more secure around the wheels.
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack/roof-bike-ra...

[sjg]

This is one of the few with a >20kg weight limit: https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.ph...

I've never liked rear (non-towbar) mount ones, they just seem a liability for damaging bumpers and tailgates.

[MajorStare]

Cheers all, I'll check them out.
I prefer roof mounting to rear mounting. Rear mounting usually needs a number plate/light bar, restricts access to the boot and in the event of a rear end bump, the bike is a write-off.

[Brainpox]

I used a Seasucker for a while. They claim a 20kg weight limit but each suction cup is rated for 90kg pull, and you use three of them.

The only problems are:
- lifting the bike up
- the roof needs to be clean
- suction cups work less effectively in the cold
- not secured by locks so anyone can lift it off the roof if you aren't looking

Edited by Brainpox on Thursday 13th May 21:52

[Pilotguy]

It’s the lifting 20-25kg almost to head height with stretched arms, probably after a physical ride, that’s the problem with roof mounted systems!

[P-Jay]

Pilotguy said:

It’s the lifting 20-25kg almost to head height with stretched arms, probably after a physical ride, that’s the problem with roof mounted systems!

I'm a fat middle aged MTBer with a knackered elbow on my right arm that means it doesn't go straight and a massive plate in the left wrist we reduces my grip strength by about 40% and I can manage it.

Admittedly I've got a saloon car and not a SUV type car. But If you can't lift 20kgs above your head, you're going to struggle to ride through rocks etc. You do need to develop a technique though, I grab mine at the bottom of the fork lowers and the chain stay.

[TheDrownedApe]

A long time ago we impulse bought the missus a step-through bike. Got out to the car to remember we had just got our 520d saloon (after having countless estates)

We took the front wheel off, let the rear tyre down and it just squeezed across the rear footwell with the front seats moved forward. MIght be worth checking the bike size against your car?

[LeadFarmer]

Wouldn't want to be lifting my bike onto a car roof, and I'm not sure of many roof mounted bike racks that would accept the weight of an ebike.

My rack isn't suitable for the OP as its tow bar mounted, but I find the Thule Easyfold rack really is good, but expensive. Folds up neat when not is use and can fit in my boot.

Edited by LeadFarmer on Friday 14th May 19:21

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I consider myself to have good upper body strength and I'm tall but even so on flat surfaces in wet weather after a long ride I've stumbled occasionally lifting a 32lb bike delicately onto a roof rack fk doing the same with a 50+lb monster.

[Barchettaman]

Cheap rear hatch mount, e bike on minus the wheels controller and battery.

I run the chain round a dummy hub through the drive side rear drop out. That way it stays tight and the chain doesn’t flap around.

I’m sure there’s a way to make things more complex but why bother? This way works fine.

Easy peasy.

[dalenorth]

I have a Kenevo that is 21kg with the battery out and I’ve been using a roof mounted Thule 599 for the last 15 months and it’s been spot on.