- Need to get a new or second hand tow bar mounted bike rack. Only need it for 1 or 2 bikes max, what’s worth looking at?
After a couple of Atera racks, I bought one of these a couple of years ago: https://buzzrack.com/products/scorpion-pro-2/
Pros: Fantastic tow ball attachment, very long/wide wheel "buckets", middle placed bar so arms are really short, foldable, reliable electrics, sold but not stupidly heavy, fits any two bikes regardless of size and shape. Good spare parts availability from Roofbox.
Cons: Lights are bit weak, keep thinking of converting to LEDs, the plastic end caps for the main tubes fall out, letting water in when you store it folded.
All the aspects of the Atera DL3 I really didn't like - thinking the mechanism to attach to the tow-bar ball would break/not release, long noodly arms and ball-ache of threading those arms through multiple bikes are all entirely mitigated on the Buzzrack.
There is also an e-bike version that I assume has a higher weight limit. The ease of dropping the folded trailer onto the tow bar and then a simple low torque way of securing it never gets old. And with the three straps (two on the front wheel, one on the rear), the bike is absolutely solid on the rack at any speed/road conditions.
I backed mine into a wall because I'm an idiot, and all the spares for the light boxes were available. I ended up fixing it myself but it's good to know you can get spare parts.
So TLDR, get one of those 🙂
Happy with a buzz rack here too. E hornet, which is better for modern bikes than the Thule it replaced.
Buzz Rack E-Hornet here too. Big enough for long, slack enduro sleds with a weight limit that means I don't have to think about it.
I didn't pay extra for the folding version because I have enough space to hang it on a wall with the middle bit folded over.
I've had no problems with bits falling off or anything. It's absolutely solid and I can't imagine needing to buy another one for a very long time.
Another e hornet user here. Really solid and reliable
any feedback on the e scorpion 1, just looking for a single bike rack. Not for e-bike....just yet
I had a the buzz rack e scorpion for 1 bike. Rock solid piece of kit.
If you're going to buy from the roof box company there's a 5% discount code from ukcampsite.co.uk here:
https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=846
any feedback on the e scorpion 1, just looking for a single bike rack. Not for e-bike....just yet
That's what I said but I still bought the rack that will last the longest. If you need to bump up the weight limit or carry another bike you'll need to sell and buy something else which is a PITA.
There was a thread on here a while back. One of many about racks..
I have had a Thule two bike rack for 12 years and it hasn’t been defeated by any shape bike! I used it daily for 10 years when I was working for collections and deliveries and the quality is excellent.
A redeeming feature is that spares are readily available for older models (straps, clips and lights do wear/get damaged) so I’m hoping it’s a once in a lifetime purchase - depending on how long I have got left of course!
I recently bought a Thule to replace a Buzz rack. There was nothing wrong with the Buzzrack, but the Thule is a much better bit of kit
I've recently purchased the 3 bike version of this:
Tales long wheelbase bikes, easy enough to get on & off and folds up for storage.
Gives really good access to the boot too when folded forward.
Not the cheapest, but so far I'm impressed with it.
Had a van for quite some time so our Thule which has been first class has been gathering dust at the back of the garage just in case.
Been using a vertical one ou in NZ for the last 11 days and I'm a convert. Can't understand why we dont see them in the UK. Quick and easy to load and very stable
@Tracey I assume it's mainly because there aren't many 2-inch hitch receivers on UK/EU vehicles. Plus, you need to be a bit careful about the weight on the hitch - people often assume that if you can tow x tonne then you can load a certain proportion of that from above, but if you look at the detail a lot of vehicles aren't supposed to carry the weight. eg - at 15kg a bike, plus the weight of the rack you could be up to 100kg. Add on the impact of leverage from the overhang and you're probably past the average UK family car's limit (eg a Ford Focus is apparently 90kg)
We've got a vertical rack here in Oz on our main car and it's so easy to use I wouldn't even consider anything else.
Just purchased a second hand Thule europower 916. Really pleased with it, it can take 60kgs so could get 2 ebikes on if needed. Had to buy a separate fat bike strap as the ebike is so long that original strap was just a cm short. The wheel straps ratchet down which is nice as when you’ve got a couple of bikes on it can be awkward getting enough space to pull down tight on the straps. The lever mount to the tow bar is nice and simple compared to my old racks which were screw on. It’s also surprising how useful the tilt to access the boot is.
After a couple of Atera racks, I bought one of these a couple of years ago: https://buzzrack.com/products/scorpion-pro-2/
Pros: Fantastic tow ball attachment, very long/wide wheel "buckets", middle placed bar so arms are really short, foldable, reliable electrics, sold but not stupidly heavy, fits any two bikes regardless of size and shape. Good spare parts availability from Roofbox.
Cons: Lights are bit weak, keep thinking of converting to LEDs, the plastic end caps for the main tubes fall out, letting water in when you store it folded.
All the aspects of the Atera DL3 I really didn't like - thinking the mechanism to attach to the tow-bar ball would break/not release, long noodly arms and ball-ache of threading those arms through multiple bikes are all entirely mitigated on the Buzzrack.
There is also an e-bike version that I assume has a higher weight limit. The ease of dropping the folded trailer onto the tow bar and then a simple low torque way of securing it never gets old. And with the three straps (two on the front wheel, one on the rear), the bike is absolutely solid on the rack at any speed/road conditions.
I backed mine into a wall because I'm an idiot, and all the spares for the light boxes were available. I ended up fixing it myself but it's good to know you can get spare parts.
So TLDR, get one of those 🙂
Thought I must have been missing the point with the Atera DL3 as everyone raves about it - I thought mine was the biggest piece of annoying sh*t ever to enter my life. I detested it. It still winds me up now thinking about what a ballache it was to use it and I sold it 2 or 3 years ago!
Mate had a Thule something or other which carried 3 bikes still but folded up small and was lightweight in comparison to the boat anchor that was a DL3.
I picked up one of the UK made vertical racks: https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/car-racks/scorpion-rack-review but they dont they sell them anymore but I do see them come up on eBay and Marketplace now and again.
5 or so years of using it with no issues or being pulled over...
they dont they sell them anymore
I imagine because they're not legal in the UK as they obscure the number plate