How to carry a bicycle? bike rack question
 

I'm a newbie on the forum. Please be kind. I couldn't find this topic anywhere in the search feature:

I'm probably about the pull the trigger on a 370Z purchase. One question remains: I need the ability to carry a bicycle from time to time. What are the options for carrying a bike on/in a 370Z?

I have a roof-mounted carrier on my Accord, but I don't want to do that with a Z. My dealer says a Class 1 hitch is available for the Z, but I don't see it in any of Nissan's materials. (A dealer sales guy wouldn't lie, would he?)

Does anyone have a Class 1 hitch on their Z? Or a bike hauler of some sort?

Thanks in advance.

First of all, welcome to The370Z.com.

You've asked a very good question. After doing some searches, here's what I found:

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...ike_rack_f.jpg

Looks like Boofsquire is working on a new system for the 370Z. Here you can go to their page:

Boofsquire Roof Racks
Here's a video of 350z system
YouTube - Boofsquire Roof Rack for the 350Z Demonstration Video


Now, there is also another system available for 350z but I'm not sure if they are going to develop a new kit for the 370Z
Here's their website: Nissan 350Z Bike Rack

I'd bet you could punch out the "butthole" and put one of those trailer hitch style bike carriers there.

How can you say "fail?" If you have the sport package with the rear hatch spoiler this particular setup is a fail. It looks like they added the sport package Rays to the pic or PhotoShopped the rear spoiler off. :shakes head:

This is not intended to be a jerk comment.

I'd get a different car to transport a bike. Its just not the kind of vehicle you want to transport something like that unless you had a trailer hitch which(not being mean) again, is ridiculous on a Z or any sport coupe IMO. Not to mention the possible scratches and various other forms of damage to the vehicle.

To each his(or her) own, but I wouldn't attempt this.


Here's an alternative option: Buy a fully collapsible bike for the trunk area. IDK just a thought.

A Really Good Collapsible Bike

BusinessWeek

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...ma-bike-fo.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4_foldbike.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4_foldbike.jpg

Good luck with your search! :D

Something seems terribly wrong about strapping a bike to the top of a Z, no? I'd shoot for inside of the car if you could.

An avid SoloII participant or someone who likes to track their car might disagree.

Unless one wants to invest in a truck and trailer (not exactly cheep); many who autocross and/or track their car like the option of pulling a small trailer behind their sports car to carry a couple of sets of tires, tools, etc. that simply can't be carried in a sports car (like the Z).

I would say an avid bicyclist would have a similar opinion.

Problem is, as far as I know, no one (Nissan included) developed a good hitch set-up for the 350 and I doubt they will for the 370 either.

The back of the Z might be roomy enough, with the front tire removed, to handle a full-sized bicycle but I'm really not sure...I will admit that the Z is not the best choice of vehicles for those who want to carry a bike and I'd be very cautions about outside carriers that "hook" to the bodywork/rear hatch.

Thanks for the replies.

As I said in my first post, I don't want a rooftop rack.

I agree that I don't want any rack that comes into contact with the paint.

If there's no hitch, the Z really isn't an option for carrying a bike (IMO). I doubt a bike, even with the wheels removed, would fit under the hatch.

And, no, a folding bicycle is not a real bicycle. Not an option.

This is one area that Porsche has beaten the crap out of Nissan.

When the Boofsquire rack system comes out for the 370 I think you guys are going to be VERY pleased.

They are using your Z for the prototype, right? :excited:

The Roofsquire setup really does look promising. And that collapsible bike looks completely ridiculous. To each his own I guess, but I would not be caught dead on that thing.

Yup. :tup:

FlashBazso,
I'm a roadie and currently drive a SL MB. If I remove both wheels I can get a 59cm bike in the back of that car without much problem. Certainly more of a headache than throwing it in the back of my wife's Tahoe, but on occasion not a big deal. When I pick up a Z, I also hope to find a way to shoehorn a bike into that car. Obviously, you will want to protect both the car and bike from damage while sliding the pieces in and out. Let me know how you make out as I will be following in your footsteps in 6 months or so. Also what size frame do you ride?
Good luck, Steve

Steve, I ride a 55cm frame. I haven't tried yet (and might not), but I THINK I could get the bike under the hatch with both wheels removed. The width of the bars vs. the width of the crank/pedals might cause a problem, but I'm not sure. I've got wheel bags and could put the wheels in the passenger seat. (I wouldn't want to block the view out the back any more than I have to.)

I have decided that I will use my wife's car for transporting the bicycle. I don't want to risk chain lube stains, scrapes, etc. on the inside of the Z.

Both wheels removed you probably could get the frame in there, but you won't be able to get both wheels in and close the hatch.

Not that you really need to worry about that. Here's a little preview of what will be available for our cars... My Z is pictured.

switch to a unicycle

bumping for the sake of information....

any time frame on when eh system Boofsquire is coming out.

and there is no way to fit a bike under the hatch. i have a 58cm and I have tried everything and it just wont fit, unless you send the drivers seat forward so much you look like a nascar driver.

I have three mountain bikes myself...

However I would be concerned with the aluminum hatch and the longevity and repeated tightening down of the straps..possibly causing long term damage to the hatch in that it would possibly tweak or bend the hatch in the areas where the straps are attached to the hatch.

I am skeptical but I have considered: License Plate mount Carrier

the whole bumper is plastic and im not too sure theres anything metal wise behind the plate area that could support that kind of weight...

i'm curious to see how this will work with snowboards. the site says the rack will install even with the oem spoiler.

Should work just fine. I was the test mule and drove home with my finished piece last week.

yeah, i think this will be a good solution for me instead of putting my boards in the car. from the looks of it, it didn't look like it was going to fit that great without having to take off the passenger headrest. and if i had to do that, i can forget taking anybody with me.

Just get a cheap Subi Forrester or Outback and use that?

Why? With a rack the Z is just fine carrying a bike or snowboards. I wouldn't put anything else on there but stuff like that is just fine.

any estimate on cost of the rack?

looks like $195 plus shipping for the rack
and $119 for a Yakima PowderHound 2 Board carrier for me :tup:

Bike racks: Tips for choosing the right one for youThe wrong rack could be a safety hazard, scratch your vehicle, or make it easy to steal the bike
The objective is simple. You want to carry your bicycle on your vehicle. But there's a seemingly dizzying selection of bike-rack styles and a wide range of prices from which to choose. In general, this is an advantage, but to get the right bike rack for your needs, you should do some research and compare the different makes and models. The right rack should fit the vehicle properly, securely transport the bikes, and fall within your budget. The wrong rack could be a safety hazard, scratch your vehicle, and possibly lead to a lost, stolen, or damaged bicycle.


Consider your needs

The key to choosing the right bike rack is accurately defining your needs and assessing your current vehicles. Consider the following when choosing a bike rack:


•How often will you use it?
•How many bikes need to be transported?
•Will you need to change vehicles (e.g., switch the rack between husband's and wife's vehicles)?
•Is the vehicle leased or rented?
•How much are you willing to spend?
•How important is security?
•How high can you lift a bicycle by yourself, and hold it in position with one hand?
•Do you have a special bike such as a tandem or one with an odd-shaped frame?
•Does your vehicle already have a tow hitch or roof-mounted utility rack? If so, what is the load capacity?
•Does your vehicle have a rear-mounted spare tire that will interfere with certain types of mounts?
•Do you engage in other sports or activities, which may make one rack type more useful or cost-effective than another?

Types of racks

Bike racks generally fall into three distinct categories: a strap-on trunk rack, a hitch-mount rack, and a roof rack. All types have good and bad points, but not all are available for every vehicle. The strap-on is the least expensive, but the least secure; the roof rack is the most versatile, but the most difficult to use; and the hitch-mount is the most expensive, but easy to operate. There are also specialty racks that are designed specifically for use with pickup trucks or for inside SUVs or vans. Some truck racks can be used above the bed, allowing for storage underneath. Others have specialty mounts that can be attached to rear-mounted spare tires and the rear ladders sometimes found on conversion vans.

Here's a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of the three main types of bike rack:

Strap-on trunk-mounted carrier
Strap-on trunk mounts are the least expensive bike-carrier option. They typically cost from $40 to $140. Straps attached to the carrier's frame attach to the car's trunk, hatchback, or rear bumper. The bike's frame rests on plastic-coated support arms; better carriers have padded or indented cradles to hold the frame. You need to tightly strap the carrier to the vehicle, and properly orient the carrier frame supports and carrier arms to balance the carrier before installing bikes. You can typically carry one or two, and in some cases, three bikes on a trunk-mounted carrier. While trunk-mounted carriers are inexpensive and can fit many vehicles, they do have a greater chance of damaging the vehicle and the bikes than do other carrier designs.

Advantages
•Good option for a leased or rented vehicle, as they are typically not vehicle-specific
•Easier to lift and secure bikes in place
•Rack can be easily stored--even in trunk
•Starting well under $100, the least expensive of all types
Disadvantages
•Typically, combined weight of bike and rack rests on the vehicle's body panels, which can cause damage to paint or sheet metal
•Straps can come loose, wear out, or snap
•Truck-mounted spoilers can get in the way
•Straps can be cut easily, compromising security of rack
•May be difficult to lock bikes to rack or car
•Bikes may be damaged from backing into an object or being hit by another vehicle
•Often padding needs to be added between the bikes to keep them from banging into each other and scratching
•Trunk cannot be opened with rack installed
•You could get a ticket if the license plate or taillights are obstructed
•Extra attachments may be needed to support odd-framed bikes
•Not recommended for Tandem bikes
•May block driver's view out of rear window
Roof-mounted carrier
Roof-mounted carriers attach either to a vehicle's already existing roof rack and crossbars--found on many SUVs, minivans, and station wagons, or with mounting feet and clips that attach to a vehicle's upper door frame or rain gutters. The total cost is reduced if your vehicle is already equipped with a roof rack or crossbars that will support the bike mount. Basic carriers start for less than $50 per bike, but the more popular bike carriers start around $100. If you need to buy the basic roof rack and crossbars, add about $125 to $200 to the total cost. If you select a roof rack, you have to decide on the method of mounting the bikes. Some racks use a fork-mount carrier that clamps onto the bike's front-wheel fork. The downside is that the front wheel must be removed and stored elsewhere, but the upsides are that the bike is easier to manage up on the roof and unique frame shapes can be accommodated. Upright mounts hold the bike by the frame or pedal crank. You don't need to remove the front wheel, but you need to reach up higher to put the bike on, and some unusual frame shapes won't fit.

Advantages
•Modular setup allows additional cargo storage with an additional storage case
•The rack can be used for different activities, such as skiing and canoeing if you buy different accessories or carriers, or for transporting other objects like building materials
•Racks can be adapted to existing factory hardware or mounted with the rack manufacturer's nonpermanent footing
•Lockable mounting available
•A sedan may hold four bikes, a large van as many as seven
•Can support tandem and odd-framed bikes, depending on the carrier "tray" design used
Disadvantages

•Can be somewhat complicated to install
•Vehicle can't go into parking garages or under any overhead structure with low clearance, including drive-through fast food restaurants.
•Increases wind resistance reducing gas mileage more than other types; also produces more apparent wind noise
•It can be hard to lift a bike onto a tall vehicle, which could cause scratches to the car's roof or sides.
•May not fit properly on curved-roof vehicles or convertibles--check manufacturer's fit guides for your vehicle.
•Touches the vehicle's body; if installed when vehicle is dirty, may scratch paint
•Must take care not to exceed the vehicle or rack manufacturer's rooftop weight allowance.
•Consumer Reports does not recommend carrying heavy rooftop loads on an SUV, as the higher center of gravity can compromise emergency handling, leading to a rollover accident.
Hitch-mounted carrier
Hitch-mount racks come in different sizes to match the class of hitch on the vehicle. Class I hitches with 1.25-inch openings are designed for most cars and small car-based SUVs. Class III hitches with 2-inch openings are usually found on pickups and truck-based SUVs. Your choice will depend on the number of bikes to be transported (racks for Class I hitches rarely carry more than three bikes) and your vehicle (Class III hitches cannot be adapted to most cars). Generic brand, single-bike hitch mounts can be found for under $100, but popular brands start for $125 and swing-away models can go for as much as $400. Some hitch-mount racks secure the bikes in mounting "trays," much like the ones used with roof-mounted models. Others require you to strap the bikes securely to the carrier; you need to take care to keep the bikes from scratching each other.

Advantages
•Easy to install--just slide it into the hitch
•Typically, no need to remove front wheels to mount bikes
•Easier to lift and secure bikes in place
•Much less chance of scratching vehicle's paint when mounting bikes
Disadvantages

•Added expense of trailer hitch, if the vehicle doesn't have one
•Some hitches may require drilling holes in vehicle's chassis or cutting rear fascia
•Some small cars are not rated for towing, and mounting a tow hitch can affect the warranty or cause problems when the vehicle is being serviced
•Some models don't allow access to vehicle's rear liftgate. Swing-away models that do are more expensive
•Often padding needs to be added between the bikes to keep them from banging into each other and scratching
•Bikes may be damaged either from backing into something or getting hit from behind
•If license plate or taillights are obstructed, you could get a ticket
•May need extra attachments to support odd-framed bikes
•Not recommended for tandem bikes
•May block driver's view out of rear window
•May be difficult to lock bikes to rack
Talking to experts and experienced bikers will help you narrow your choices. Also, check Internet chat rooms for personal opinions. Research and careful shopping will help you arrive at the best rack for your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Among the best review Web sites are:

Mountain bike product reviews forums classifieds trails
CarREVIEW.com - car reviews, car cudio and electronics reviews, performance parts, insurance ratings, and car videos
epinions.com
Bikes and Bicycle Shops - Mountain Biking Online

It states in the manual, do not tow anything with your Z.

I've seen a hitch on a 350 in Moab last year, but never got a chance to ask where he got it, what kind...now i wish i had.

Bones3

it will fit ANY car and easily clear the spoiler. I've used it on 3 different cars now and it fits great, doesn't scratch (you can always put a soft towel under the rubber mounts as well) and holds the bikes great.

Bones 3-Bike

I personally wouldn't use a strap-on rack on the Z. I don't feel that the rear fascia is a good mounting point for the kind of weight and pressure a strap-on type of trunk rack would produce.
I used this type of rack on my 2nd Gen Eclipse and I didn't like what it did to the rear.

The RoofSquire looks like a sound design, and I'm a fan of Yakima as I've used their racks on my cars for the last 20 or so years.
It even looks like you'd still be able to open the hatch with the rack installed... an area where strap-on racks are a disadvantage.

I guess it depends on the bike as well. Mine only weighs 18 pounds and the rack itself is only about 5 maybe.

but anyway, I've never had a problem. I've had it on an eclipse, honda civic and a nissian altima.

They recommend this one: Guardian 2-Bike

I bought if for my 350, used it once, I think it dented my trunk, never used it again....

I just put them in the back of the suv now... much better solution...

If you can do this, why couldn't you do a receiver type rack? I have a swing away for the Xterra that never gets near the paint and easily swings away from the hatch to allow access while fully loaded.

http://www.the370z.com/members/mike-...1-trailer1.jpg


http://www.the370z.com/members/mike-...3-trailer3.jpg

Holy crap!
That's way nicer than the Harbor Freight trailer I pulled behind my Miata back in my solo days!

Where did you get the hitch, what brand is it?
Thanks

Hey guys, that is not my car or my hitch. I borrowed (linked) to Mike's album. Maybe he coule shed some light on the setup.

On a side note, my wife and I were in the Xterra on the interstate yesterday and I saw a Black 370 with some type of similar off the tail carrier. I had my wife (who is a great sport by the way) haning out of the window to snap a few shots. I am pretty sure we freaked the driver out a little. If your out there, beautiful car and wheels!

I haven't had time to look at the pics yet but I will post them as soon as I do. It looked like a good set up.

that's really sweet!