[Closed] Towball Carrier for Long & Heavy bikes

what about one of the 2 bike northshore-esque racks you can get over here now? https://www.scorpionracks.com/products/rack

I want the same but I can't stomach the cost of going full Thule again. I want something that can quickly drop onto a tow ball and carry a hefty gnarpoon.

Preferably used if anyone is selling anything near Sheffield.

Remember that you can only carry a load as wide as your mirrors.

I wonder how many LLS modern bikes now exceed this.

Hi,
I have the Atera STRADA E-Bike ML (standard version) no. AR2696
Which cost me £370
It’s a 2 eBike carrier, quite substantial (it’s got extra space between bikes) no issues with it although I would say the wheel holder straps are not as good as the Thule equivalents.
I believe you can add a third carrier.
The tilting mech is also fine too.

Sorry - but not selling it , just for info

Cheers D3fc

Thanks 5lab - I hadn't considered them. I worry that they are not the best for spirited driving. The wheel would be in the slipstream above the roof line. Also, wonder if the bike could jump out of the hook on big compressions in the road..

matt_outandabout - You are right of course but its not a concern for me.

Thanks D3fc. What bikes do you put on it? Just need to make sure something like an XL Enduro 29er Ebike can fit

(Large) Orbea wild fs eBike (29er) which has long wheelbase and probably 25 kg
Also with a 27.5 mtb.
It’s really stable once on the towbar tbh.

I also have Thule roof rack carrier, obviously the eBike can’t go there (too heavy) which is why I needed a tow bar variant….and can compare ratchet straps etc, the Thule wheel straps are much better imho.

That's interesting Matt.
Seen a few people using rear racks to carry Trials motorbikes like this and thought they would work for E-bikes.

Thanks 5lab – I hadn’t considered them. I worry that they are not the best for spirited driving. The wheel would be in the slipstream above the roof line. Also, wonder if the bike could jump out of the hook on big compressions in the road..

I haven't used a scorpion rack but on NSRacks the rear wheel is tied to the frame to both stop it flapping about and stop it jumping out

D3fc - are the bikes well spaced apart - no chance of pedals touching etc?

Sorry been out to measure it 😉
Centreline to centreline of rails are 9 inches apart.
They are 49” long overall.
Just so that you can compare to what you have now maybe.

Buzzrack e-scorpion 2.

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/buzz_rack_e_scorpion_2_bike_folding_rack_no_brp612/Qx%40w%2C6M42VAwp3%40Rb%7B~cC4ure_QE_y

Plenty of room for 2 long XL bikes, zero touching.

Just remember to add up all the weight (i.e. bikes and carrier together) when calculating nose weight.

(My carrier alone weighs over 20kg, but is built like a brick outhouse.)

Or for £9 more than the Thule rack just chuck them in the back of this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384419368956?hash=item59812e0ffc:g:LR0AAOSwDrZhSP31

I went for a buzz rack e scorpion. Very wide spacing, no chance of bikes touching each other. I could put a longer bike than my XL trek slash on it. Fairly wide tyres work fine too. I haven't tried larger than 2.8"

I have had both Thule and Atera ones, with my criteria being one large FS 29 ebike, plus another large non e one. I found there was always a compromise - the Thule ones didn't have great frame clamps, and my Atera one wasn't as secure as I wanted it to be on the towball (I tried 2).

I then got a Yakima one, which I have used for past year or so and can't really fault it. I did add a second frame clamp, bought aftermarket from one of the suppliers of motorhome rear racks (Fiamma), this is more as doubling up, peace of mind than any real need.

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/yakima_justclick_2_bike_tow_bar_carrier_no_8002486/Qx%40w%2C6M42VAwp3%40Rb%7B~cC4ure_iAqS

That trials bike rack is made by Dave Cooper i believe

Those Dave Cooper trials bike racks seem ideal. Just one bike though. And no tilt.
Had one for years that did good service carrying an 80 kg trials bike.

Another vote for the Atera Strada Ebike ML here - use it with a Turbo Levo FSR (25kg) and a Large Bird Aeris 145 (1260 wheelbase).

I really like the look of the Scorpion rack.

If only they did a 4 bike version.

Weight closer to the tow ball, narrower for 4 well spaced bikes than a traditional tow ball rack, reasonably light, small to store.

The similar North Shore rack does come as a 4, or even a 6, but it’s an American ball size and heavier.

I’ve emailed to see if they have plans.

There are alternates to north shore racks but they all use us hitches. Velocirack has 7 bikes and I've seen a custom job with 12 (!!) . I I don't know if a ball would support the leverage

Indeed.

However 4 bikes at circa 13kg, and an 18-19kg rack (my guess for a 4 bike Scorpion as a 2 bike is 16.5kg) ought to be OK on my Kodiaq 100kg nose weight tow ball. Particularly as the weight will be relatively close to the car with that design.