Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this? - Bike Forum

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

DaveyBoyWonder — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:46:49 +0000

Best 5 forum to ask in is MX5Nutz.com. Bunch of real nice guys and girls...

Think I'll continue to use my Mondeo for carting bikes around in/on and leave my mk1 S-Special for pure fun.

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

snotrag — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:14:35 +0000

Yup, got a MK1.

If its just me, then I just put the bike inside.

As others have said though - there are mounts for a towbar under the chassis.

You do need type approval to TOW, but no to fit a towbar...
However, I haver simply bought an old towbar mounted rack, and ripped the big clamp off it. Then I welded up a bar that fits to the rear chassis legs (where the tie down hooks would have been) under the bumper, out of sight. My rack then slots into a socket welded to this bar, male/female style. bigbolt and a split pin, job done.

No nasty towball sticking out when not in use, 2 minutes to fit.

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

ericemel — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:44:00 +0000

cheers, I'd go for the luggage rack but she won't let me

Saris bones it is and thanks for the tape tip!!!

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

DaveGr — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:39:29 +0000

Been carrying bikes on the back for 7 years. Current design is slightly different but in principle the same. Since 1998 cars have to be type approved with a tow bar so illegal to fit one to a Mk2 or 2.5, not sure about the mk 3.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3632240195_72f2677dd7.jpg

Downsides - removing/fitting the boot rack (not bike rack part) is a bit of a pain so leave it on. Carrying the bikes over the boot does mark the boot over time - mud dropping off, small marks just taking them on /off. You can open the boot with a bike on but it does put a lot of weight on the boot lid when open. Locking the front fork to the carrier invalidates some fork warranties (pace and DT Swiss).

And still get 38mpg on a run to Wales with a bike on the back and the hood down :-)

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

eckinspain — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:57:15 +0000

i had an old mx5, and a 35 quid halfords bike rack that sat on top of the bumper. took wife and my bikes ok, sometimes on 500 mile round trips. clipped under bumper (sometimes one would come off, so i constantly checked....

you put your bike and your wife on a 35 quid Halfords rack? and sometimes one would come off?? well, at least you checked to see that your bike was still there...

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

cynic-al — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:57:01 +0000

I have the MX5parts luggage rack and bike rack, bought sh. Nice in that the rack takes up to 40 kilos (most racks are 20kg IIRC) and with the bike on I can get a suitcase or similar on also. Or just get a cheaper rack and strap the bike to it (s'what I do for me bolt-thru fork bike).

I've never thought about using a std bike rack beyond feeling concerned about the stress the bottom legs would put on the bumper moulding.

I do fancy an elan M100 Se, the boot is much bigger (as is the HP curve)

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

BoardinBob — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:49:47 +0000

I used a £30 boot mounted carrier from Asda on my MGF (sorry) for years with no problems.

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

markd — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:11:46 +0000

Al has a wee metal rack that he uses on the boot lid.
We got a Nomad and a Zesty on it in winter... with the roof down.... it was bloody cold and we didnt look like a pair of hairdressers. Much. If any. At all. Really.

Just use bungees!

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

SweetJumps — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:03:19 +0000

A bike on a roller skate; there's a novel idea.

Re: Bikes on an MX5 - anyone else doing this?

pedalhead — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:55:28 +0000

You could get a boot-mounted luggage rack & an associated bike carrier to go on it. I've uses this combo on my MR2 for the past few years. Bit more expensive, but then you get a luggage rack out of the deal too.