Atera Racks- Fitting longer bikes

Struggling to find a rack for our new van, anything that fits the bikes doesn’t fit the van, and anything that fits the van doesn’t fit the bikes.

Problem with the bikes is wheelbase length, and was wondering if anyone has tried fitting a bike to an Atera Strada or Linea rack longer than the specs suggest. 1200mm seems to be the limit for most, bike is about 1250.

I can get a large cotic rocket (longshot) with a wheelbase of 1254mm on my atera Strada bike rack. There’s a bit of extra room for a slightly longer bike. It does stick out both sides of the VW T5 though, so I have to be careful!

Which model rack do you have Neb

I’ve had a Large Geometron on a more standard Atera rack than I posted about on the other thread but.
It took a few extra straps on both wheels and it was also as unstable as **** and every time i got over 15 MPH it was in danger of falling off the rack.

Thule Velospace XT 2 works nicely on our T5.

It allows the tailgate to open fully BUT had to redrill the holes that hold tilt limiting cable, which is fine if you don’t mind taking a drill to £400 worth of brand new rack.

Nicely spaced rails for boost or fat bikes and I think 130 wheelbase from memory (although with the longer straps even longer would probably work).

Thanks Phil. There seems to be an issue that there is something different between the T5 and 6 that means racks that fitted on the 5 don’t necessarily fit on the 6, wonder if the Velospace may struggle on the T6 since it’s tight on the 5. Until I read this on one of the Cali forums earlier today I’d decided on an Atera Strada Evo, which is reported to be fine on the T5, but someone has swapped it to their T6 and it now doesn’t fit. Considering moving down to a Strada DL or Linea rack, both of which will fit the van fine but have a max wheelbase of 1200mm.

Hi Doug, it’s an Atera Strada DL 3 bike carrier on a VW T5. I’ve got to be a bit careful reversing down the drive, or on really narrow back roads. But it’s been fine.

I’ve got a DL3 on a T6 Beach. I redrilled and reset all the bike holders ages ago to squeeze some extra distance out between bikes and also offset them a bit. L Tallboy goes on but longer bikes do stick out.

There seems to be an issue that there is something different between the T5 and 6

Ah didn’t realise that. I guess the towbars might sit slightly differently. I fitted a flange type bar to ours and fitted the ball on the lowest position, but I think it would have worked fine set higher too. I could have allowed it to tilt further by drilling the holes even further back. You’d be welcome to try it on your van if you’re anywhere near Troon.

Pics here

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RYRvGWG3wha2vWao6