E Bike - Roof Bars... Any Suggestions?

[Jay_87]

Hoping someone can help me out of roof rack PITA...

Just got my first E bike, a Specialized Turbo Levo and my OEM BMW roof bars are not up to the task of securing it, the strap wont go around the wider down tube of an ebike.

I've had a search and a lot of the ebike specific ones seem to be the tow bar mounted systems, if possible I'd like to stick with roof mounted, does anyone have a set of bars they use successfully?

[lufbramatt]

Something like this?

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.ph...

Holds the tyres rather than the frame and 23kg weight limit so should be ok with the Turbo Levo.

[Jay_87]

lufbramatt said:

Something like this?

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.ph...

Holds the tyres rather than the frame and 23kg weight limit so should be ok with the Turbo Levo.

That looks ideal! I had to put in in the back of my 3 series estate last night and there wasnt much room for anything else after that!

[PHlL]

Jay_87 said:

That looks ideal! I had to put in in the back of my 3 series estate last night and there wasnt much room for anything else after that!

As you have an estate, I'd get towbar on it and bike rack that way.

Have all sorts, from seasuckers, completely stand up bikes, fork down bikes, tailgate racks, and by far towbar is the way to go if you've got one.

[essayer]

Have you tried lifting the bike that high?

[Welshbeef]

Max weight on the roof is 75kg

[Jay_87]

essayer said:

Have you tried lifting the bike that high?

Yeah I tried it last night, bit awkward but doable with a deep breath on a regular estate car, I wouldn't want to do it on a SUV though!

[Parsnip]

Jay_87 said:

essayer said:

Have you tried lifting the bike that high?

Yeah I tried it last night, bit awkward but doable with a deep breath on a regular estate car, I wouldn't want to do it on a SUV though!

Not a E-Bike, but have lifted fairly heavy bikes onto the roof of the wife's CX-5.

Having the right technique really helps, kind of throwing it up and letting the momentum carry it vertical.

I also have a wee step similar to this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TekBox-Folding-Purpose-Fo...

Which really helps.

[Dog Star]

I can't imagine what sort of weed cannot lift a 23kg bike up - lot less with the battery.

Anyway .... forget the flimsy Thule things, obviously not up to the job.

I've got a towbar mount but also a set of INNO INA389 roof carriers - these are fine for ebikes and also carbon framed bikes. Hold the bikes by the wheels too, so you just drop the bike into the carrier where it stands up while you engage the loops. Come with cable locks.



I've used these on big trips all over Europe.

[vwsurfbum]

I have the Thule one that holds the tyres/wheels instead of the frame. Works well but I have to remove the battery each time to get it below the 20kg mark.

[Welshbeef]

Dog Star said:

I can't imagine what sort of weed cannot lift a 23kg bike up - lot less with the battery.

Anyway .... forget the flimsy Thule things, obviously not up to the job.

I've got a towbar mount but also a set of INNO INA389 roof carriers - these are fine for ebikes and also carbon framed bikes. Hold the bikes by the wheels too, so you just drop the bike into the carrier where it stands up while you engage the loops. Come with cable locks.



I've used these on big trips all over Europe.

Onto an SMax ?
You have to either get a step or balance on the Sill.
It’s not that easy when reaching out fully on the roof when cleaning the car.

[Jay_87]

Dog Star said:

I can't imagine what sort of weed cannot lift a 23kg bike up - lot less with the battery.

Anyway .... forget the flimsy Thule things, obviously not up to the job.

I've got a towbar mount but also a set of INNO INA389 roof carriers - these are fine for ebikes and also carbon framed bikes. Hold the bikes by the wheels too, so you just drop the bike into the carrier where it stands up while you engage the loops. Come with cable locks.



I've used these on big trips all over Europe.

The INNO one is looking like the winner for me

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Jay_87 said:

Yeah I tried it last night, bit awkward but doable with a deep breath on a regular estate car, I wouldn't want to do it on a SUV though!

Problem is rain, autumn, floor surface etc. At somepoint you'll clip the car with a pedal or pull your disc out of your back.

I'm fit, tall and even so 32lb and I feel it due to the awkward range of movements you are pulling.

I'd go for a towbar for a ebike personally.

[Jay_87]

The tow bar would probably be best in terms of getting it on and off the rack but it just looks a massive faff, I like the ease of leaving the roof rack on all the time so its always there, no need to have to store it somewhere. Also if we go away with the dog it means I'l have to take the bikes off to get the boot open to let the dog out on journeys.

Not to mention the cost of having to have a tow bar fitted and then buy the carrier... that's money I could spend on beer.

I'm gonna get the INNO carrier and a little step and see how I go with that for the short term.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Jay_87 said:

The tow bar would probably be best in terms of getting it on and off the rack but it just looks a massive faff, I like the ease of leaving the roof rack on all the time so its always there, no need to have to store it somewhere. Also if we go away with the dog it means I'l have to take the bikes off to get the boot open to let the dog out on journeys.

Not to mention the cost of having to have a tow bar fitted and then buy the carrier... that's money I could spend on beer.

I'm gonna get the INNO carrier and a little step and see how I go with that for the short term.

Buy once buy right..

[Harpoon]

My towbar bike rack will be 16 years old this December - cost £100 back then! That was a lot of beer at the time but I think it's well and truly paid for now.

I expect the newer racks from Thule etc may be even quicker to fit but mine takes less than 5 minutes. Drop on to towbar, push lever down to lock, slide locking bolt over and close padlock to lock shut. Then connect the electrics plug and you're ready to load the bike.

If you've got very deep pockets, try a Droprack!

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/dropracks/

[MarcelM6]

Jay_87 said:

The tow bar would probably be best in terms of getting it on and off the rack but it just looks a massive faff, I like the ease of leaving the roof rack on all the time so its always there, no need to have to store it somewhere. Also if we go away with the dog it means I'l have to take the bikes off to get the boot open to let the dog out on journeys.

Not to mention the cost of having to have a tow bar fitted and then buy the carrier... that's money I could spend on beer.

I'm gonna get the INNO carrier and a little step and see how I go with that for the short term.

Depending on how you use your car leaving the roofracks on is also a pain in the proverbial. Noisy and bad fuel economy.

Most of the new tow bar racks fold out of the way of the way with bikes on so that you can still access the boot.

No arguing that it's an expensive option. I started with roofracks and moved to towbar many years ago as I got fed up with lifting heavy-ish mountain bikes on to the roof. BUT - unless you frequently change your car a towbar is not that expensive, and the carrier can always get resold for what you paid for it, so is effectively free.

[stargazer30]

Dog Star said:

I can't imagine what sort of weed cannot lift a 23kg bike up - lot less with the battery.

Most people would struggle. I can overhead press a 50kg barbell for 1 rep no probs. No way would I lift my 27kg cube tourer onto the roof. Lifting half the weight at arms length is 5 times as hard.

Plus you need to remember if you've done 20-30 miles on an ebike your legs and back are still going to be tired so try lifting it under control after that is going to be even harder. eBikes are better on tow bar racks.

[PHlL]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Buy once buy right..

This.

Plus, for me, the whole time I have the bike on the roof with whatever mount I've used, I get really anxious. The worst is the SeaSucker (which I still use from time to time when driving OH car if she's taken mine). Especially when it's an expensive bike.

On the towbar, I can constantly see it in the mirror, less worried off the wind drag as the car does most the work and it's protected, plus allowed me to get a roof box.

You can get ones which fold forwards so you can still use the boot. Plus on your 3 series touring you can always access the glass window part even if bike there.

It's a one off expensive and will fit any car with a towbar, but appreciate you have to store etc. I do wish I'd just bought this first instead of all the other options I've tried.